# Getting started with everyday Dutch

**Language:** Dutch  
**CEFR Level:** A1  

> Master everyday Dutch basics based on Chapters 1-9 of [Nederlands In Gang](https://www.coutinho.nl/en/nederlands-in-gang-9789046905609). Practice speaking and listening on the go to build confidence in real-life situations. See [Chapters 10-18](https://hearsaylearn.com/course/nederlands-in-gang-part-2-C-HG5JdHW).

**Setting:** Set in the vibrant cities of Amsterdam and Utrecht, where locals and expats mingle. The course follows everyday interactions, from ordering in cozy cafés to navigating the housing market.

## Lessons

### 1. Greetings And Goodbyes

Learn how to greet locals and say goodbye throughout the day.

**Vocabulary:**
- goedemorgen (good morning)
- hallo (hello)
- doei (bye)
- tot ziens (goodbye)
- de dag (the day)
- welkom (welcome)

**Objectives:**
- Greet people
- Say goodbye based on the time of day

### 2. Introducing Yourself

Start making friends by introducing yourself and asking for names.

**Vocabulary:**
- de naam (the name)
- heten (to be called)
- de voornaam (the first name)
- de achternaam (the last name)
- zich voorstellen (to introduce oneself)
- kennismaken (to meet / get to know)

**Objectives:**
- Introduce oneself to others
- Ask someone their name

### 3. Origins And Languages

Discuss where you are from and what languages you speak.

**Vocabulary:**
- het land (the country)
- komen (to come)
- spreken (to speak)
- de taal (the language)
- Nederland (the Netherlands)
- de nationaliteit (the nationality)

**Objectives:**
- State your country of origin
- Ask what languages someone speaks

### 4. Counting From Zero

Master the essential numbers to help with addresses and ages.

**Vocabulary:**
- nul (zero)
- één (one)
- twee (two)
- drie (three)
- tien (ten)
- twintig (twenty)

**Objectives:**
- Count and use numbers
- Understand basic digits

### 5. Sharing Personal Details

Exchange contact information like your address and phone number.

**Vocabulary:**
- het adres (the address)
- het huisnummer (the house number)
- de postcode (the postal code)
- de woonplaats (the place of residence)
- het telefoonnummer (the telephone number)
- het e-mailadres (the e-mail address)

**Objectives:**
- Provide basic personal information
- Ask for and state phone numbers

### 6. The Immediate Family

Talk about your immediate family members.

**Vocabulary:**
- het gezin (the immediate family)
- de vader (the father)
- de moeder (the mother)
- de zoon (the son)
- de dochter (the daughter)
- het kind (the child)

**Objectives:**
- Identify immediate family members
- Conduct a simple interview about family

### 7. Extended Relatives

Expand your vocabulary to include extended family and use possessives.

**Vocabulary:**
- de broer (the brother)
- de zus (the sister)
- de oma (the grandmother)
- de opa (the grandfather)
- mijn (my)
- jouw (your)

**Objectives:**
- Identify and name extended family members
- Use possessive pronouns to indicate ownership

### 8. Describing Appearance

Learn to describe physical characteristics like hair and height.

**Vocabulary:**
- het haar (the hair)
- de bril (the glasses)
- lang (tall / long)
- kort (short)
- blond (blonde)
- donker (dark)

**Objectives:**
- Describe a person's physical appearance
- Formulate basic declarative clauses

### 9. Days And Timeframes

Familiarize yourself with the days of the week and time periods.

**Vocabulary:**
- maandag (Monday)
- dinsdag (Tuesday)
- woensdag (Wednesday)
- de week (the week)
- de maand (the month)
- het jaar (the year)

**Objectives:**
- Name the days of the week
- Understand time periods like months and years

### 10. Telling The Time

Learn how to ask for and state the time on a clock.

**Vocabulary:**
- het uur (the hour / o'clock)
- een halfuur (a half hour)
- een kwartier (a quarter of an hour)
- de minuut (the minute)
- laat (late)
- de klok (the clock)

**Objectives:**
- Ask for the time
- Tell the time using an analog clock

### 11. Ordering In A Café

Practice ordering basic drinks in a typical Dutch café.

**Vocabulary:**
- het café (the café)
- de koffie (the coffee)
- het biertje (the beer)
- de cola (the cola)
- bestellen (to order)
- drinken (to drink)

**Objectives:**
- Order drinks in a café setting
- Apply definite and indefinite articles correctly

### 12. Settling The Bill

Learn the etiquette and phrasing for paying for your drinks.

**Vocabulary:**
- trakteren (to treat)
- betalen (to pay)
- afrekenen (to settle the bill)
- de ober (the waiter)
- de rekening (the bill)
- alstublieft (please)

**Objectives:**
- Ask the waiter for the bill
- Offer to treat someone

### 13. Celebrating Birthdays

Discover how to congratulate people and talk about Dutch birthday customs.

**Vocabulary:**
- de verjaardag (the birthday)
- vieren (to celebrate)
- gefeliciteerd (happy birthday / congratulations)
- de taart (the cake)
- jarig zijn (to have a birthday)
- krijgen (to get / receive)

**Objectives:**
- Congratulate someone on their birthday
- Discuss personal and cultural customs for birthdays

### 14. Ordinal Numbers

Learn to use ordinal numbers for dates and sequences.

**Vocabulary:**
- eerste (first)
- tweede (second)
- derde (third)
- vierde (fourth)
- vijfde (fifth)
- honderdste (hundredth)

**Objectives:**
- Understand and use ordinal numbers
- Form and use diminutive noun forms

### 15. Catching Up On The Street

Bump into an acquaintance and ask how they are doing.

**Vocabulary:**
- gaan (to go)
- goed (good / okay)
- slecht (bad)
- prima (wonderful / fine)
- het probleem (the problem)
- de groeten (the greetings)

**Objectives:**
- Ask how someone is doing
- Express how you are doing

### 16. Making An Appointment

Propose a meetup and set a date with a friend.

**Vocabulary:**
- de afspraak (the date / appointment)
- afspreken (to set a date / make an appointment)
- het plan (the plan)
- de agenda (the diary / agenda)
- de datum (the date)
- lukken (to work out / succeed)

**Objectives:**
- Make a proposal or suggestion
- Arrange a meeting or make an appointment

### 17. Reacting To Invitations

Learn how to accept or decline an invitation politely.

**Vocabulary:**
- vinden (to find / think)
- leuk (nice)
- belangrijk (important)
- zin (feeling / desire to)
- misschien (perhaps)
- samen (together)

**Objectives:**
- React positively or negatively to an invitation
- Ask someone to do an activity together

### 18. Meeting Locations

Suggest places to meet up in the city.

**Vocabulary:**
- de straat (the street)
- het centrum (the city centre)
- de bioscoop (the cinema)
- de winkel (the shop)
- thuis (at home)
- het station (the train station)

**Objectives:**
- Extract specific details about opening hours
- Name locations for meetups

### 19. At The Market

Navigate a Dutch market and buy fresh produce.

**Vocabulary:**
- de markt (the market)
- boodschappen doen (to go shopping)
- de groenteboer (the greengrocer)
- de klant (the customer)
- de beurt (the turn)
- vers (fresh)

**Objectives:**
- State what items you want to buy
- Conduct a basic transaction with a vendor

### 20. Buying Vegetables

Learn the names of common vegetables for a healthy meal.

**Vocabulary:**
- de tomaat (the tomato)
- de aardappel (the potato)
- de ui (the onion)
- de wortel (the carrot)
- de komkommer (the cucumber)
- de paprika (the bell pepper)

**Objectives:**
- Identify and name common vegetables
- Create a shopping list for a meal

### 21. Buying Fruit

Add fresh fruits to your market shopping list.

**Vocabulary:**
- de appel (the apple)
- de banaan (the banana)
- de sinaasappel (the orange)
- de peer (the pear)
- de aardbei (the strawberry)
- de druif (the grape)

**Objectives:**
- Identify and name common fruit
- Form and use plural nouns correctly

### 22. Quantities And Prices

Ask for specific amounts and handle euros and cents.

**Vocabulary:**
- de kilo (the kilo)
- het bakje (the punnet / small container)
- het bosje (the bunch)
- de euro (the euro)
- de cent (the cent)
- goedkoop (cheap)

**Objectives:**
- Ask about prices and state amounts
- Handle basic currency transactions

### 23. Cooking A Meal

Understand basic recipe instructions to cook your groceries.

**Vocabulary:**
- koken (to boil / cook)
- snijden (to cut)
- bakken (to fry / bake)
- schoonmaken (to clean)
- toevoegen (to add)
- het gerecht (the dish)

**Objectives:**
- Understand and use the imperative form
- Read and comprehend instructions in a recipe

### 24. Arriving At A Restaurant

Ask for a table and navigate the menu.

**Vocabulary:**
- het restaurant (the restaurant)
- de tafel (the table)
- de menukaart (the menu)
- het raam (the window)
- de serveerster (the waitress)
- kiezen (to choose)

**Objectives:**
- Participate in a dialogue about ordering food
- Use modal verbs to ask permission

### 25. The Three Courses

Learn the terminology for the different stages of a dinner.

**Vocabulary:**
- het voorgerecht (the starter)
- het hoofdgerecht (the main course)
- het nagerecht (the dessert)
- de soep (the soup)
- de salade (the salad)
- het toetje (the dessert)

**Objectives:**
- Identify the different courses of a meal
- Identify common table cutlery

### 26. Dietary Preferences

Specify what kind of food you want, including vegetarian options.

**Vocabulary:**
- het vlees (the meat)
- de kip (the chicken)
- de biefstuk (the steak)
- de vis (the fish)
- de rijst (the rice)
- vegetarisch (vegetarian)

**Objectives:**
- State dietary preferences
- Express obligations using modal verbs

### 27. Food Opinions

Tell your friends and the waiter what you think of the food.

**Vocabulary:**
- heerlijk (delicious)
- vies (disgusting)
- vet (greasy / rich)
- proeven (to taste)
- de dorst (the thirst)
- de honger (the hunger)

**Objectives:**
- Express your positive or negative opinions about food
- Ask others for their opinions

### 28. Tipping Etiquette

Pay your restaurant bill and leave an appropriate tip.

**Vocabulary:**
- de fooi (the tip)
- de service (the service)
- bedanken (to thank)
- pinnen (to pay by card)
- de bon (the receipt)
- het eetcafé (the pub / informal restaurant)

**Objectives:**
- Ask for the bill
- Understand cultural norms regarding giving a tip

### 29. Basic Clothing Items

Learn the words for everyday clothes in a shop.

**Vocabulary:**
- de kleding (the clothing)
- de broek (the pants / trousers)
- de trui (the sweater)
- de jas (the coat / jacket)
- de schoenen (the shoes)
- de jurk (the dress)

**Objectives:**
- Name common everyday clothing items
- Describe what someone is wearing

### 30. Colors

Describe your clothes and preferences using colors.

**Vocabulary:**
- de kleur (the color)
- wit (white)
- zwart (black)
- grijs (grey)
- rood (red)
- blauw (blue)

**Objectives:**
- Identify and describe a wide variety of colors
- Formulate opposite pairings

### 31. Patterns And Fits

Ask for specific patterns or fits when shopping.

**Vocabulary:**
- effen (plain / solid color)
- geruit (checkered)
- gestreept (striped)
- wijd (loose / wide)
- strak (tight)
- het model (the style / model)

**Objectives:**
- State clothing preferences for styles
- Identify fabric patterns

### 32. Trying Clothes On

Ask for the fitting room and evaluate your chosen size.

**Vocabulary:**
- passen (to fit / try on)
- de paskamer (the fitting room)
- de maat (the size)
- de kledingzaak (the clothing store)
- het T-shirt (the T-shirt)
- staan (to look on / suit)

**Objectives:**
- Request to try on clothes
- Discuss and evaluate how clothing fits

### 33. Buying And Returning

Complete your purchase and learn about exchange policies.

**Vocabulary:**
- kopen (to buy)
- ruilen (to exchange)
- de kassabon (the receipt)
- de verkoopster (the saleswoman)
- duurder (more expensive)
- het kleinst (the smallest)

**Objectives:**
- Compare items using comparative adjectives
- Ask about store policies regarding returns

### 34. Types Of Homes

Navigate the Dutch housing market and understand property types.

**Vocabulary:**
- het huis (the house)
- het appartement (the apartment)
- de flat (the flat)
- de woonruimte (the accommodation)
- de makelaar (the real estate agent)
- de buurt (the neighbourhood)

**Objectives:**
- Identify and name different types of housing
- Understand a dialogue about renting a home

### 35. Rooms In A House

Take a tour of a typical home and name the rooms.

**Vocabulary:**
- de kamer (the room)
- de woonkamer (the living room)
- de slaapkamer (the bedroom)
- de keuken (the kitchen)
- de badkamer (the bathroom)
- de tuin (the garden)

**Objectives:**
- Name specific rooms and areas in a house
- Ask questions about living spaces

### 36. Furniture Basics

Furnish your new room with basic furniture vocabulary.

**Vocabulary:**
- de meubels (the furniture)
- de stoel (the chair)
- het bed (the bed)
- de kast (the cupboard)
- de lamp (the lamp)
- het bureau (the desk)

**Objectives:**
- Identify common pieces of furniture
- Express negative statements correctly

### 37. Where Is It?

Use prepositions to describe where furniture is placed.

**Vocabulary:**
- in (in)
- op (on)
- onder (under)
- naast (next to)
- achter (behind)
- tegenover (opposite)

**Objectives:**
- Describe the physical location of objects
- Use spatial prepositions accurately

### 38. The Upper Body

Learn the names for parts of the head and face for medical contexts.

**Vocabulary:**
- het lichaamsdeel (the body part)
- het hoofd (the head)
- het gezicht (the face)
- de neus (the nose)
- het oog (the eye)
- het oor (the ear)

**Objectives:**
- Identify external parts of the human body
- Understand basic anatomy in Dutch

### 39. Limbs And Skin

Expand your anatomy knowledge to the rest of the body.

**Vocabulary:**
- de arm (the arm)
- de hand (the hand)
- de vinger (the finger)
- het been (the leg)
- de voet (the foot)
- de huid (the skin)

**Objectives:**
- Identify and name limbs and skin
- Point out specific areas of pain

### 40. Symptoms And Complaints

Explain what is wrong when you visit the doctor.

**Vocabulary:**
- de huisarts (the general practitioner / doctor)
- de pijn (the pain)
- ziek (sick)
- de koorts (the fever)
- de jeuk (the itch)
- de klacht (the complaint)

**Objectives:**
- Describe physical complaints and symptoms
- Understand diagnostic questions

### 41. Times Of Day

Tell the doctor exactly when your symptoms started.

**Vocabulary:**
- de ochtend (the morning)
- de middag (the afternoon)
- de avond (the evening)
- de nacht (the night)
- vandaag (today)
- gisteren (yesterday)

**Objectives:**
- Express specific times of the day
- Ask questions about past events

### 42. Doctor's Advice

Get your prescription and wish others a speedy recovery.

**Vocabulary:**
- het recept (the prescription)
- de apotheek (the pharmacy)
- de zalf (the ointment)
- de pijnstiller (the painkiller)
- slapen (to sleep)
- beterschap (get well soon)

**Objectives:**
- Understand advice from a medical professional
- Give appropriate social reactions to illness