This is a daily audio course you can listen to on the go to improve your listening comprehension, practice speaking, and finally understand native speakers – entirely in WhatsApp.

Dutch Essentials – HearSay

Dutch A1

Follow Sanne and Bram in Amsterdam as you learn practical Dutch for everyday life. Based on the textbook, Nederlands In Gang, practice listening and speaking on the go.

Lessons

Welcome to Amsterdam
Bram and Sanne meet for the first time at an introductory Dutch course.
Vocabulary
- goedemorgen (good morning)
- hallo (hello)
- de naam (the name)
- heten (to be called)
- kennismaken (to get to know)
- tot ziens (goodbye)
Objectives
- Greet people appropriately
- Introduce yourself to others
Where Are You From?
Sanne asks Bram about his background and the languages he speaks.
Vocabulary
- het land (the country)
- Nederland (Netherlands)
- de nationaliteit (the nationality)
- spreken (to speak)
- Nederlands (Dutch)
- Engels (English)
Objectives
- Ask for and state country of origin
- State nationalities and spoken languages
Numbers and Addresses
Bram and Sanne exchange contact information to stay in touch.
Vocabulary
- het adres (the address)
- de postcode (the postal code)
- het huisnummer (the house number)
- het telefoonnummer (the telephone number)
- nul (zero)
- een (one)
- twee (two)
Objectives
- Count basic numbers from zero to two
- State phone numbers and addresses
Family and Relatives
Sitting in the canteen, Sanne shows Bram a photo of her family.
Vocabulary
- het gezin (the immediate family)
- de ouders (the parents)
- de vader (the father)
- de moeder (the mother)
- de broer (the brother)
- de zus (the sister)
Objectives
- Name immediate family members
- Talk about family structure
What Does He Look Like?
Sanne describes her older brother's appearance to Bram.
Vocabulary
- het haar (the hair)
- de bril (the glasses)
- jong (young)
- oud (old)
- lang (tall/long)
- klein (small/short)
Objectives
- Describe a person's physical appearance
- Formulate basic descriptive sentences
What Time Is It?
Bram asks for the time to make sure they aren't late for their next class.
Vocabulary
- het uur (the hour)
- de minuut (the minute)
- maandag (Monday)
- dinsdag (Tuesday)
- vandaag (today)
- morgen (tomorrow)
Objectives
- Ask for and tell the time
- Name the days of the week
In the Café
Bram and Sanne go to a local café to grab a drink.
Vocabulary
- het café (the café)
- drinken (to drink)
- de koffie (the coffee)
- de thee (the tea)
- de cola (the cola)
- het biertje (the beer)
Objectives
- Order drinks in a café setting
- Apply definite and indefinite articles
Paying the Bill
Bram offers to pay for the drinks as a treat for Sanne.
Vocabulary
- de ober (the waiter)
- de rekening (the bill)
- bestellen (to order)
- betalen (to pay)
- trakteren (to treat/pay for)
- proost (cheers)
Objectives
- Ask the waiter for the bill
- Offer to treat someone
How Are You?
Sanne bumps into Bram on the street a few days later.
Vocabulary
- de straat (the street)
- de vriend (the friend)
- leuk (nice/fun)
- prima (wonderful/fine)
- slecht (bad)
- gaan (to go)
Objectives
- Ask how someone is doing
- Express how you are feeling
Shall We Meet Up?
Bram suggests they make an appointment to hang out again.
Vocabulary
- de afspraak (the appointment)
- de agenda (the diary/agenda)
- het idee (the idea)
- afspreken (to meet up)
- zullen (shall/will)
- samen (together)
Objectives
- Make a proposal using modal verbs
- Arrange a meeting or appointment
At the Market
Sanne and Bram visit the Albert Cuyp market to buy vegetables.
Vocabulary
- de markt (the market)
- de groenteboer (the greengrocer)
- de tomaat (the tomato)
- de ui (the onion)
- de aardappel (the potato)
- vers (fresh)
Objectives
- Identify common vegetables
- Ask for items at a market stall
How Much Does It Cost?
Bram pays the market vendor and asks for the total price.
Vocabulary
- boodschappen doen (to go shopping)
- goedkoop (cheap)
- duur (expensive)
- de euro (the euro)
- de cent (the cent)
- hoeveel (how much)
Objectives
- Ask about prices
- Handle basic currency transactions
In a Restaurant
Sanne and Bram sit down at a cozy restaurant for dinner.
Vocabulary
- het restaurant (the restaurant)
- de menukaart (the menu)
- het voorgerecht (the starter)
- het hoofdgerecht (the main course)
- de soep (the soup)
- het vlees (the meat)
- de vis (the fish)
Objectives
- Order food from a menu
- Identify the courses of a meal
Enjoy Your Meal
The food arrives and they share their opinions on the meal.
Vocabulary
- heerlijk (delicious)
- vies (disgusting)
- proeven (to taste)
- de fooi (the tip)
- het toetje (the dessert)
- het mes (the knife)
- de vork (the fork)
Objectives
- Express positive or negative opinions about food
- Ask for the bill and discuss tipping
In a Clothing Store
Bram needs a new shirt, so they stop by a clothing store.
Vocabulary
- de kledingzaak (the clothing store)
- de broek (the pants/trousers)
- het T-shirt (the T-shirt)
- de jas (the coat)
- blauw (blue)
- rood (red)
- wit (white)
Objectives
- Name everyday clothing items
- State clothing preferences and colors
Trying on Clothes
Bram tries on a shirt and asks Sanne for her opinion on the fit.
Vocabulary
- de paskamer (the fitting room)
- passen (to try on)
- de maat (the size)
- wijd (wide/loose)
- strak (tight)
- mooi (beautiful/nice)
Objectives
- Request to try on clothes
- Evaluate how clothing fits
Looking for a Home
Sanne talks about looking for a new apartment in Amsterdam.
Vocabulary
- het huis (the house)
- het appartement (the apartment)
- de slaapkamer (the bedroom)
- de woonkamer (the living room)
- de keuken (the kitchen)
- de badkamer (the bathroom)
Objectives
- Identify different types of housing
- Name rooms and areas in a house
Furniture and Objects
Bram describes the furniture he has in his own apartment.
Vocabulary
- de tafel (the table)
- de stoel (the chair)
- de kast (the cupboard)
- het bed (the bed)
- het raam (the window)
- de deur (the door)
Objectives
- Identify common pieces of furniture
- Describe the location of objects in a room
At the Doctor
Sanne isn't feeling well and describes her symptoms to a doctor.
Vocabulary
- de dokter (the doctor)
- ziek (sick)
- het hoofd (the head)
- de pijn (the pain)
- de apotheek (the pharmacy)
- het recept (the prescription)
Objectives
- Describe physical complaints and symptoms
- Identify external body parts
The Bicycle Repair Shop
Bram's bicycle is broken, so they take it to the repair shop.
Vocabulary
- de fiets (the bicycle)
- de fietsenmaker (the bike repairman)
- de band (the tyre)
- het stuur (the handlebars)
- kapot (broken)
- het wiel (the wheel)
Objectives
- Identify bicycle parts
- Explain a problem to a repairman
What Happened?
Bram explains how he fell off his bike yesterday in the rain.
Vocabulary
- vallen (to fall)
- gebeuren (to happen)
- gisteren (yesterday)
- begrijpen (to understand)
- bedoelen (to mean)
- verstaan (to hear/understand speech)
Objectives
- Describe a past event or accident
- State that you do not understand something
At a Birthday Party
Sanne invites Bram to her neighbor's birthday party.
Vocabulary
- de verjaardag (the birthday)
- het cadeau (the present)
- de taart (the cake)
- gefeliciteerd (congratulations/happy birthday)
- de hobby (the hobby)
- de muziek (the music)
Objectives
- Congratulate someone on their birthday
- Ask and answer questions about hobbies
Asking for Directions
Bram gets lost trying to find a specific event hall in the city.
Vocabulary
- de weg (the way/road)
- zoeken (to search/look for)
- rechtdoor (straight ahead)
- linksaf (to the left)
- rechtsaf (to the right)
- de hoek (the corner)
Objectives
- Ask for directions on the street
- Understand step-by-step walking directions
Visiting Friends at Home
Sanne visits Bram's apartment and they make some small talk.
Vocabulary
- het weer (the weather)
- koud (cold)
- warm (warm)
- gezellig (cozy/nice)
- de bloem (the flower)
- binnenkomen (to come in)
Objectives
- Engage in small talk
- Express your opinion about something
Joining the Gym
Bram signs up for a membership at a local gym.
Vocabulary
- de sportschool (the gym)
- het abonnement (the subscription)
- sporten (to exercise/play sports)
- zwemmen (to swim)
- gezond (healthy)
- de spier (the muscle)
Objectives
- Register for a gym membership
- Discuss sports and fitness habits
Taking the Train
Sanne and Bram take the train for a day trip out of the city.
Vocabulary
- de trein (the train)
- het station (the station)
- het landschap (the landscape)
- de koffer (the suitcase)
- de reis (the journey)
- vertrekken (to leave/depart)
Objectives
- Discuss travel plans
- Describe landscapes from the train window
Going to the Cinema
They decide to catch an evening movie at the cinema.
Vocabulary
- de bioscoop (the cinema)
- de film (the movie)
- het kaartje (the ticket)
- reserveren (to reserve/book)
- de documentaire (the documentary)
- de ondertiteling (the subtitles)
Objectives
- Buy a cinema ticket
- Ask about movie times and subtitles
At the Police Station
Sanne realizes she lost her wallet and goes to the police station.
Vocabulary
- de politie (the police)
- de portemonnee (the wallet)
- gestolen (stolen)
- aangifte doen (to report a crime)
- de bankpas (the bank card)
- vinden (to find)
Objectives
- Report a stolen or lost item
- Detail a sequence of past events