Polite Phrases in Dutch
Dutch politeness is direct rather than elaborate. Two things surprise visitors: alsjeblieft covers more than please, and birthday congratulations go to the whole room.
Please and thank you
-
alsjeblieft
als-yuh-BLEEFT
-
please, here you are
alstublieft with someone you call u
-
dank je wel
dank yuh vel
-
thank you
dank u wel in the formal version
-
bedankt
buh-DANKT
-
thanks
Slightly more casual, works everywhere
-
graag gedaan
khrahkh khuh-DAHN
-
you're welcome
Literally gladly done
-
geen dank
khayn dank
-
don't mention it
Excusing yourself and apologising
-
pardon
par-DON
-
excuse me
Getting past someone, or getting attention
-
sorry
SOH-ree
-
sorry
Borrowed from English and completely standard
-
neem me niet kwalijk
naym muh neet KVAH-luk
-
I beg your pardon
More formal, and rather old-fashioned
-
het spijt me
ut spayt muh
-
I am sorry
For something that actually matters
Phrases for the moment
-
gezondheid
khuh-ZONT-hayt
-
bless you
After a sneeze. It means health
-
proost
prohst
-
cheers
-
eet smakelijk
ayt SMAH-kuh-luk
-
enjoy your meal
Said before eating
-
gefeliciteerd
khuh-fay-lee-see-TAYRT
-
congratulations
-
succes
suk-SES
-
good luck
Literally success. Said before an exam or an interview
-
goede reis
KHOO-yuh rays
-
have a good trip
Alsjeblieft, and the birthday circle
Alsjeblieft is please when you are asking, and here you are when you are handing something over. A shopkeeper giving you change says it, and nothing is being requested.
At a Dutch birthday party you congratulate everyone, not only the birthday person. Walking in and saying gefeliciteerd to their mother, their partner and their friends is correct and expected. Visitors find this baffling; skipping it is what looks odd.
Dutch directness is not rudeness. A flat nee without softening is normal and carries no edge, and long English-style hedging can read as evasive rather than polite.
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