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Asking for information in Dutch – HearSay

Dutch B1

Learn how to ask for help, get directions, and gather information clearly and politely. Navigate the Netherlands like a local by mastering the Dutch balance of directness and courtesy.

Lessons

Asking for directions
Sanne gets lost in the city center and asks Bram for directions to a museum.
Vocabulary
- Weet u (Do you know)
- de richting (the direction)
- verdwaald (lost)
- Waar is (Where is)
- de plattegrond (the map)
- het kruispunt (the intersection)
- de afstand (the distance)
Objectives
- Ask for directions to a specific place
- State that you are lost
- Understand basic navigation terms
Getting travel information
Sanne needs to know the train schedule to visit her parents in Groningen.
Vocabulary
- het vertrek (the departure)
- de vertraging (the delay)
- overstappen (to transfer)
- het perron (the platform)
- het loket (the ticket counter)
- de dienstregeling (the schedule)
- de rechtstreekse trein (the direct train)
Objectives
- Ask about train schedules
- Inquire about delays and platforms
- Understand transfer information
Asking for help
Bram helps a tourist who is struggling to understand a Dutch announcement.
Vocabulary
- Kunt u mij helpen (Can you help me)
- de bedoeling (the intention/meaning)
- onduidelijk (unclear)
- Kunt u langzamer spreken (Can you speak slower)
- de uitleg (the explanation)
- herhalen (to repeat)
- de betekenis (the meaning)
Objectives
- Ask someone to speak slower
- Request help politely
- Ask for an explanation or repetition
Inquiring about prices
Sanne wants to book a guided tour with Bram and asks about the costs and details.
Vocabulary
- Hoeveel kost dit (How much does this cost)
- de korting (the discount)
- inbegrepen (included)
- de toegangsprijs (the entrance fee)
- de rondleiding (the guided tour)
- de reservering (the reservation)
- geldig (valid)
Objectives
- Ask about prices and fees
- Inquire if discounts apply
- Ask what is included in a ticket
Making polite small talk
Bram and Sanne chat about the weather and general topics while waiting for a tour to start.
Vocabulary
- het weer (the weather)
- het onderwerp (the topic)
- beleefd (polite)
- rechtstreeks (direct)
- de privacy (the privacy)
- kletsen (to chat)
- de opmerking (the remark)
Objectives
- Engage in polite small talk
- Discuss the weather and general observations
- Respect Dutch communication boundaries