A Guide to Everyday Dutch: Small Talk, Slang, and Colloquial Expressions

If you’re learning Dutch, you’ve probably realized that the Dutch don’t always speak like your textbook or language app suggests. In real-life conversations, Dutch people often shorten words and throw in expressions that don’t make sense when translated literally.

That’s because formal Dutch and spoken Dutch aren’t the same. Many courses focus on grammar and proper sentence structure, but they often miss the informal language people use every day. Spoken Dutch is filled with slang and cultural quirks that can be tricky for learners to pick up.

This guide covers essential Dutch small talk phrases, slang words, and cultural notes to help you sound more like a local. We’ll cover:

• Small talk topics Dutch people love to discuss
• The cultural side of Dutch conversations
• Everyday slang and filler words that help you sound natural
• Common mistakes to avoid when using Dutch slang

By the end, you’ll have a practical set of words and expressions to use in real conversations—so you won’t feel out of place next time you chat with Dutch speakers.

What Makes Dutch Small Talk Unique?

Small talk is a key part of any language, but Dutch small talk has its own rhythm and style. Unlike in some cultures where conversations start with elaborate politeness, Dutch people tend to keep things simple, practical, and to the point.

That doesn’t mean they’re unfriendly—quite the opposite. The Dutch love a good chat, whether it’s about the weather, work, or weekend plans. But instead of wasting time on formalities and flowery speech, they prefer straightforward and honest exchanges.

How to Start a Casual Conversation

If you want to start chatting like a local, try these casual Dutch greetings:

• Hoi! – Hi!
• Hé! – Hey!
• Alles goed? – Everything good? (Casual version of “How are you?”)
• Hoe is ‘t? – How’s it going?
• Lekker weekend gehad? – Had a good weekend?

Dutch conversations often start with the simple question “How are you?”, and the expected response is brief and direct. Here’s how you might answer when someone greets you:

• Ja, prima! – Yeah, fine!
• Gaat wel. – It’s okay.
• Niet slecht! – Not bad!
• Druk, druk, druk! – Busy, busy, busy!

What Do Dutch People Talk About?

If you’re not sure what topics work best, stick to neutral and everyday subjects. The Dutch are pretty practical, so small talk is often about things happening at the moment.

Weather (always a popular topic!)

• Lekker weer, hè? (Nice weather, huh?)
• Wat een hondenweer! (What awful weather!)

Work and weekend plans

• Druk op ‘t werk? (Busy at work?)
• Wat ga je doen dit weekend? (What are you up to this weekend?)

Cycling and daily life

• Lekker gefietst? (Had a nice bike ride?)
• Veel files vandaag? (A lot of traffic today?)

What Not to Bring Up Too Soon

• Politics and money – The Dutch have opinions but prefer deeper conversations once they know you.
• Personal life – Asking about relationships or salaries too soon can feel intrusive.
• Fake politeness and over-the-top compliments – The Dutch are not big on flattery. They prefer sincerity to excessive niceties.

Dutch Directness and Humor: What to Expect

If you’ve ever spoken to a Dutch person and thought, “Wow, that was blunt,” you’re not alone. Dutch directness is well known, and it can take some getting used to.

In many cultures, people soften their words to avoid confrontation or sound polite. The Dutch? Not so much. They prefer honesty over sugarcoating, and their communication style is straight to the point.

Know that this doesn’t count for Flemish Dutch speakers. Belgians are a lot less direct and prefer politeness and an overall softer approach.

Why “Blunt” Doesn’t Mean Rude

To Dutch speakers, being clear and direct is a sign of respect—it means they trust you enough to tell you the truth. If they don’t like something, they’ll say so. If they think your idea doesn’t make sense, they won’t pretend otherwise.

• Instead of saying, That’s an interesting idea, a Dutch person might just say:
  • Nee, dat werkt niet. (No, that doesn’t work.)
  • Dat slaat nergens op! (That makes no sense!)

This isn’t meant to be rude—it’s just efficient communication. The Dutch see indirect speech as unnecessary and even confusing.

Dry, Sarcastic Humor

Dutch humor is often dry, sarcastic, and self-deprecating. Instead of laughing at loud and exaggerated jokes, they appreciate understated and witty remarks.

• Gezellig! (Cozy!) – Used seriously but also sarcastically when something is not cozy.
• Leuk geprobeerd. (Nice try.) – A classic Dutch phrase, often used teasingly.
• Tja… het is wat het is. (Well… it is what it is.) – A typical Dutch way to accept an unfortunate situation without drama.

If a Dutch friend teases you a little, take it as a sign that they like you—it’s part of the culture. They expect you to give it back, too!

Essential Dutch Slang and Colloquial Expressions

Now that you know how small talk works, let’s look at the Dutch slang and informal expressions that will help you sound more natural and fluent in everyday conversations.

Like in any language, Dutch slang can be regional, generational, or trend-based. Some words have been around for decades, while others come and go with pop culture.

Casual Greetings and Responses

• Vet! / Gaaf! / Tof! – Cool!
  • Die film was echt vet! (That movie was really cool!)
• Echt waar?! – Really?!
  • Je hebt dat gedaan? Echt waar?! (You did that? Really?!)
• Boeien! – Who cares! / Doesn’t matter.
  • Hij is te laat? Boeien! (He’s late? Who cares!)

Casual Expressions

• Flexen – To show off
  • Hij is altijd aan het flexen met zijn dure auto. (He’s always showing off with his expensive car.)
• Tief op! – Go away! (Strong, informal)
  • Tief op, ik heb er geen zin in! (Go away, I don’t feel like it!)
• Belachelijk! – Ridiculous!
  • Die prijs is belachelijk hoog! (That price is ridiculously high!)
• Faka? – What’s up? (Urban slang from Surinamese origin)
  • Ey bro, faka? (Hey bro, what’s up?)

Typical Dutch Filler Words

Filler words don’t change the meaning of a sentence but help you sound more natural:

• Nou… – Well… (used to start or react in a sentence)
  • Nou, ik weet het niet hoor… (Well, I don’t know…)
• Dus… – So…
  • Dus, wat ga je doen? (So, what are you going to do?)
• Weet je wel? – You know?
  • Het is gewoon zo, weet je wel? (It’s just like that, you know?)
• Toch? – Right?
  • Leuk feestje, toch? (Fun party, right?)
• Euh… – Umm… (A hesitation word)
  • Euh… ik ben niet zeker. (Umm… I’m not sure.)

Slang for People

• Gozer / Maat – Dude, mate
  • Die gozer heeft echt geluk! (That guy is really lucky!)
• Gappie – Buddy (Amsterdam slang)
  • Ey gappie, wat gaan we doen vanavond? (Hey buddy, what are we doing tonight?)
• Chickie – Girl (Informal, slightly outdated)
  • Dat is echt een leuk chickie! (That’s a really cute girl!)

Slang for Everyday Situations

• Bakkie doen? – Want to grab a coffee?
  • Zullen we een bakkie doen? (Shall we grab a coffee?)
• Ik ga er vandoor. – I’m heading out.
  • Het was leuk, maar ik ga er vandoor! (It was fun, but I’m heading out!)
• Dat is niet mijn ding. – That’s not my thing.
  • Voetbal kijken? Nah, dat is niet mijn ding. (Watching football? Nah, that’s not my thing.)

Youth Slang and Online Dutch

If you’re texting or hanging out with younger Dutch speakers, you’ll notice they use a mix of English words, shortened Dutch, and slang from different cultures. Here are some commonly used youth slang words:

• Skeer – Broke / poor
  • Ik kan niet uitgaan vanavond, ik ben skeer. (I can’t go out tonight, I’m broke.)
• Lau – Chill / relaxed
  • Ik hou van een lau avondje op de bank. (I love a chill night on the couch.)
• Challas – Forget it / never mind (From Moroccan Arabic)
  • Laat maar, challas, ik heb geen zin meer. (Forget it, I’m not in the mood anymore.)
• Jwz – Short for Je weet zelf (You already know)
  • Ik ben moe, jwz. (I’m tired, you know.)

Dutch youth also mix English into their speech. You’ll often hear words like cringe, chill, or lowkey thrown into Dutch conversations.

Funny Dutch Idioms and Sayings

The Dutch love using idiomatic expressions, many of which don’t translate literally but are fun to use. Here are some popular ones:

Dutch expression	Literal translation vs. actual meaning	Usage
Met de deur in huis vallen.	Translation: To fall into the house with the door Meaning: To get straight to the point	Hij viel meteen met de deur in huis en vroeg om een lening. (He got straight to the point and asked for a loan.)
Het regent pijpenstelen.	Translation: It’s raining pipe stems. Meaning: It’s pouring rain.	Neem een paraplu mee, het regent pijpenstelen! (Take an umbrella, it’s pouring!)
Je weet nooit hoe een koe een haas vangt.	Translation: You never know how a cow catches a hare. Meaning: Expect the unexpected	Misschien win je de loterij! Je weet nooit hoe een koe een haas vangt! (Maybe you’ll win the lottery! You never know!)

Dutch Swearing and Playful Insults (Use with Caution!)

Dutch people have a creative way of swearing, often using animals or old-fashioned curses. Many of these words are used jokingly among friends, but some are stronger than others.

• Klootzak! – Jerk! (Literally: “ballsack”)
• Sukkel! – Fool!
• Eikel! – Idiot! (Literally: “acorn”)
• Mierenneuker. – Nitpicker. (Literally: “ant-f***er” —Dutch humor at its finest!)

Important: Dutch swearing varies from mild to very strong. Be careful where and when you use these!

Dutch Social Norms: Blending In

Understanding how Dutch people interact socially is just as important as knowing the right words. If you want to sound natural in conversations, keep these social norms in mind.

How to Sound More Local

• Keep your voice at a normal volume. The Dutch don’t typically talk loudly in public spaces.
• Be straightforward. Don’t dance around topics—say what you mean.
• Don’t over-apologize. Saying Oeps! (Oops!) is often enough.
• Use “Doe normaal!” sparingly. It’s a common phrase but can come off as harsh if misused.
• Avoid unnecessary politeness. Unlike in English, Dutch conversations don’t require a lot of “pleases” and “thank yous.”

Example of a natural exchange:

• English-style politeness: “Excuse me, would you mind if I ask you a quick question?”
• Dutch version: Hé, mag ik wat vragen? (Hey, can I ask something?)

Less fluff, more efficiency.

Tipping Culture and Social Etiquette

Dutch service culture is not like the U.S. Here’s what to expect:

• Tipping is optional. Rounding up the bill is appreciated, but no 20% rule.
• Service workers are polite, but not overly friendly. Don’t mistake efficiency for rudeness.
• Greet when entering a shop. A simple Hallo! or Goedendag! goes a long way.

When to Speak Dutch vs. English

Most Dutch people speak English fluently, so they might switch to English if they hear an accent. If you want to practice Dutch, just say:

• Ik wil Nederlands oefenen. (I want to practice Dutch.)

They’ll appreciate the effort and might even slow down their speech to help you out.

Final Tips for Sounding More Dutch

Learning slang takes time, but here are a few tricks to make it easier:

1. Consume Dutch Media

Watch Dutch shows, listen to music or podcasts, and pay attention to how people really talk. Here are some recommendations:

• Mocro Maffia – Great for urban slang.
• De Luizenmoeder – Features everyday informal Dutch.
• Dutch hip-hop (Joost, Frenna, Lil Kleine, Ronnie Flex) – Many slang words come from rap lyrics!

2. Follow Dutch Social Media and Memes

Dutch slang evolves fast. Follow Instagram, TikTok, or Twitter accounts where young Dutch people chat online.

3. Use Slang in the Right Context

Stick to casual settings—not in job interviews or with strangers.

4. Try It in Real Conversations

The best way to learn is to use it! Try dropping slang words into conversations. If you make a mistake, Dutch people will correct you—but in a friendly way!

Next Steps: Time to Practice!

Learning casual Dutch will help you have an easier time connecting with native speakers. It adds flavor and personality to language, making it more expressive and engaging. Use it when you’re chatting with friends or texting in WhatsApp and see how people react.

Don’t be afraid to experiment, make mistakes, and ask native speakers for help!