Dutch phrases for your Netherlands trip

No. The Dutch speak excellent English in hotels, stations, shops and restaurants, even in small towns. But signs, train announcements and market stalls often run Dutch-first, and starting with Goedendag and a smile changes how people treat you. These phrases cover the moments English does not.

We mark five at the top: Goedendag (hello), Alstublieft (please), Dank u wel (thank you), Spreekt u Engels? (do you speak English?) and Ik ben vegetarier (I am vegetarian). With these plus pointing, a family manages almost every situation on a first trip.

Say Ik ben vegetarier (I am vegetarian), then Zonder vlees en vis (without meat and fish). For Jain needs add Zonder ui en knoflook (without onion and garlic), and for fries ask plantaardig gebakken? (fried in vegetable oil?). Our Netherlands food guide lists the dishes that are safe and the traps to check.

Only one sound is new: the Dutch g and ch, a guttural close to the Hindi kha (ख़) - we write it as kh in the as-it-sounds column, so Goedendag is KHOO-duh-dakh. Everything else is slow and logical, and Dutch people will usually switch to English after your first line.

Card. The Netherlands is nearly cashless - many shops and even some markets take cards only, so Kan ik pinnen? (can I pay by card?) is a real question. Carry a little cash for public toilets and small stalls, but expect to tap for everything else.