When learning Dutch, many language enthusiasts quickly discover that speaking Dutch from The Netherlands doesn’t guarantee understanding people in Belgium and vice versa.
Why’s that, you’re asking? Well, although both countries share the same language, a language that is officially called Dutch, there are significant differences.
This guide will delve into the Flemish vs. Dutch discussion and give you practical tips to communicate more effectively in both regions.
Are Flemish and Dutch the same?
Flemish and Dutch are closely related because Belgium (or better, the Northern half, Flanders) and The Netherlands were once part of the same region, sharing a long history and cultural ties.
While “Flemish” is often used to describe the Dutch spoken in Belgium, it’s not officially recognized as a separate language, nor is it an official name of the language. Instead, it refers to the unique way Dutch is spoken in Flanders. Local dialects like West Flemish, Brabantian, and Limburgish are still closely connected to similar ones in The Netherlands, like Zeelandic and North Brabantian, because of their shared roots.
Over time, however, differences in pronunciation, vocabulary, and expressions between Belgian and Dutch speakers have grown, making Flemish distinct yet still part of the broader Dutch language family.
Can Dutch speakers understand Flemish?
Yes, Dutch speakers can generally understand Flemish, as both are varieties of the same language. However, the differences in pronunciation, vocabulary, and expressions can sometimes create challenges, especially for Dutch speakers unfamiliar with Flemish accents or regional terms. While most Flemish speakers are accustomed to understanding Dutch from the Netherlands due to its prominence in media and education, the reverse may require more effort. With exposure and context, though, communication between Dutch and Flemish speakers is usually smooth.
Now that we’ve determined that Dutch and Flemish are closely related but have distinct regional differences, let’s take a look at those key variations.
Flemish vs. Dutch Pronunciation and Accent
The accent is the most noticeable way to tell Dutch speakers from The Netherlands and Belgium apart. While both groups speak the same language, the way they pronounce words can sound quite different to listeners.
For new learners, these accents can even make the language feel entirely different. Adding to the challenge, both The Netherlands and Belgium have a wide variety of regional dialects, each with its own unique features, making it even harder to understand for those unfamiliar with the variations.
How to Tell if Someone Is Flemish or Dutch by Accent
If you’re trying to determine whether someone is speaking with a Flemish vs. Dutch accent, here’s what you can pay attention to:
Dutch from The Netherlands
- Flat and Nasal Tone: Dutch from The Netherlands has a flatter, more nasal quality.
- ‘G’ Sound: The “g” is guttural and pronounced at the back of the throat, making it sound hard.
- Long Vowels: Long vowels like “ee” and “oo” are pronounced as diphthongs, sounding like “ei” and “ou” (e.g., reep (a bar (of chocolate)) sounds like “reejp”).
- ‘R’ Pronunciation: A soft, almost American-sounding “r” (called the Gooise “r”) is popular, especially among younger speakers. This causes the “r” behind vocals to sound as a “j”.
- -Tsie vs. -Sie: Words ending in -tie are pronounced as -tsie (e.g., politie (police) sounds like “po-lee-tsie”).
- Foreign Words: Loanwords like tram and match are pronounced closer to their English origins (e.g., “trem” and “metsj”).
- W Pronunciation: The “w” is formed with the upper teeth touching the lower lip, giving it a slightly harder sound.
Dutch from Belgium
- Melodic and Softer: Flemish has a more melodic and slower tone.
- ‘G’ Sound: The g is gentler, almost like the English “h”.
- Long Vowels: Vowels are often drawn out, giving Flemish a lyrical quality.
- ‘R’ Pronunciation: The “r” is usually pronounced with the tip of the tongue (a rolled “r” or tongue-point “r”), but a French-style throat “r” is becoming more common.
- -Tsie vs. -Sie: Words ending in -tie are pronounced as -sie (e.g., politie (police) sounds like “po-lee-sie”).
- Foreign Words: Loanwords like tram and match are fully localized and pronounced with the same “a” sound as in trap (stairs).
- W Pronunciation: The “w” is pronounced by rounding both lips, giving it a softer, fuller sound.
Vocabulary Variations in Flemish Dutch vs. Netherlands Dutch
Another significant difference between Flemish and Dutch is the vocabulary.
Each region has its own unique set of words and expressions, which can sound unfamiliar—or even confusing—to speakers from the other region. This distinction in the Flemish vs. Dutch language is especially noticeable in idiomatic expressions and proverbs, where regional culture and linguistic preferences shine through.
- Different words, same meaning:
- A very common occurrence in Flemish vs. Dutch words is that the vocabulary has evolved in both regions, and different words are now being used to describe the same concept.
English | Dutch (Netherlands) | Dutch (Belgium) |
Bag | Zak | Tas |
Wallet | Portemonnee | Portefeuille |
Goodbye | Doei | Dag |
Ham & Cheese sandwich | Tosti | Croque-monsieur |
Debit card | Pinpas | Bankkaart |
Battery | Accu | Batterij |
Soda | Fris | Frisdrank |
Mobile phone | Mobiel | GSM |
- Same Words, Different Meaning:
Some words or phrases exist in both varieties but carry completely different meanings.- Example: Academicus (an academic)
- In Belgium: Refers to a university staff member.
- In The Netherlands: Refers to someone who has completed a university degree.
- Example: Academicus (an academic)
- No Direct Equivalents:
In some cases, an expression may have no direct counterpart in the other variety. When this happens, the concept often needs to be explained or rephrased to be understood.- Example: Een baksteen in de maag hebben (Have a brick in the stomach).
- In Belgium: This means having a strong desire to own a house.
- In The Netherlands: No direct equivalent exists; the idea would need to be explained.
- Example: Een baksteen in de maag hebben (Have a brick in the stomach).
- Distinct Wording in Similar Proverbs:
Even when similar proverbs in Flemish vs. Dutch have the same meaning, the exact wording is often different.- Example:
- In Belgium: De kat bij de melk zetten (Put the cat near the milk) – meaning to tempt someone.
- In The Netherlands: De kat op het spek binden (Bind the cat on the bacon) – meaning the same thing.
- Example:
Let’s look at more examples of common expressions and proverbs to see how Flemish vs. Dutch speakers say things differently.
Typical Flemish Expressions
Amai!
- A versatile exclamation expressing surprise, amazement, or disbelief.
- Example: Amai, wat een mooie dag! (Wow, what a beautiful day!)
- In The Netherlands: Similar expressions might include Wat gaaf! or Wat leuk!
Eindelijk gedaan!
- Used to express relief when something is finally over or completed.
- Example: Eindelijk gedaan met dat werk! (Finally finished with that work!)
- In The Netherlands: You would hear Het is eindelijk klaar! instead.
Dat is plezant!
- A cheerful way to say, “That’s fun!” or “That’s enjoyable!”
- Example: De vakantie was echt plezant. (The vacation was really fun.)
- In The Netherlands: This is often said with the more general Dat vind ik leuk.
Een straatje zonder eind
- Describes a situation or problem that feels endless or without resolution.
- Example: Die bouwaanvraag is een straatje zonder einde. (That building permission is a little street without ending.)
- In The Netherlands: there’s no similar proverb. The more general Een uitzichtloze situatie (a hopeless situation) has a similar meaning.
Typical Dutch Expressions
Lekker bezig!
- A casual compliment meaning “You’re doing great!” or “Good job!”.
- Example: Lekker bezig, goed gedaan! (Great job, well done!)
- In Flanders: You might hear something more neutral, like Goed bezig! Flemish speakers only use lekker when talking about food.
Zo oud als de weg naar Kralingen
- An expression to describe something “very old”.
- Example: Die traditie is zo oud als de weg naar Kralingen. (That tradition is as old as the road to Kralingen.)
- In Flanders: Flemish speakers use Zo oud als de weg naar Rome (As old as the road to Rome) instead.
Dubbel en dwars
- An expression meaning “completely” or “more than deserved”.
- Example: Hij heeft die overwinning dubbel en dwars verdiend. (He completely deserved that victory.)
- In Flanders: Flemish speakers say Dubbel en dik to express the same idea.
Een wassen neus
- A saying that means “it’s not much” or “It was made to seem like a big deal, but it turned out to be nothing”.
- Example: Dat cadeau was een wassen neus. (That gift was a wax nose.)
- In Flanders: This expression is not used. Flemish speakers might opt for more literal phrasing, like Dat is niets bijzonders (That’s nothing special).
Word Formation Differences between Belgium Dutch and Netherlands Dutch
Belgian Dutch and Dutch from The Netherlands show some interesting differences in word formation (morphology). It’s important to note that while both forms are considered correct, the use will vary depending on the region. Here’s a simplified overview:
Plural Forms (-en vs. -s)
- The Netherlands: Plurals often end in -en. For example: leraren (teachers), eigenaren (owners)
- Flanders: Plurals more often end in -s, especially for professions or names ending in -aar. For example: leraars (teachers), eigenaars (owners), Gentenaars (inhabitants of Ghent).
Describing a Person by a Trait (-erd vs. -erik/-aard)
- The Netherlands: Uses -erd to form words describing people with certain traits. For example: bangerd (coward), lelijkerd (ugly person).
- Flanders: Prefers -erik or -aard. For example: bangerik (coward), lelijkaard (ugly person), stommerik (fool).
Strong and Weak Verb Forms
- Some verbs have both strong and weak forms in the past tense, with preferences varying by region. However, this Flemish vs. Dutch variation isn’t a simple matter of one region favoring strong forms while the other prefers weak forms—preferences depend on the specific verb. For example, klaagde (Netherlands) vs. kloeg (Belgium) for “complained,” or ervoer (Netherlands) vs. ervaarde (Belgium) for “experienced.”
Grammatical Differences between Dutch from The Netherlands and Belgium
Unlike vocabulary and morphology, where variations in both regions are widely accepted as standard, there are no officially recognized differences in grammar between the two varieties. That said, some regional grammatical variations, while considered theoretically incorrect, are commonly used in everyday language.
The Pronoun Difference I: Jij/Je vs. Gij/Ge
One notable (but unofficial) grammatical difference between Dutch in the Netherlands and Belgium is the use of pronouns. In the Netherlands, jij and je are the common choices for “you” in everyday speech. In Flanders, however, gij and ge are more frequently used.
For learners, it’s best to start with jij and je since these are standard in most Dutch courses, like Clozemaster. However, familiarity with gij and ge will be helpful when visiting Flanders.
The Pronoun Difference II: Hun vs. Zij
In informal Dutch spoken in the Netherlands, hun is sometimes used as a personal pronoun for “they,” as in Hun hebben dat gedaan (They did that). Although this usage has grown more common since the late 20th century, it’s still considered incorrect in standard Dutch. However, linguists predict it may become widely accepted in the coming decades.
In Flanders, speakers consistently use the correct form zij or ze for “they” and never use hun in this way.
Use of the Diminutive
While diminutives are common in both varieties, in Flemish, diminutives are used more frequently to express politeness or affection and can even apply to concepts where diminutives might not typically make sense in The Netherlands.
● Dutch: Een koffie en een taart, alsjeblieft. (A coffee and a cake, please.)
● Flemish: Een koffietje en een taartje, alstublieft. (A little coffee and a little cake, please.)
Use of Modal Verbs
Flemish speakers tend to use modal verbs like mogen (may) and zouden (would) more often to express politeness or formality, whereas Dutch speakers from The Netherlands might phrase things more directly.
● Dutch: Mag ik een koffie? (Can I get a coffee?)
● Flemish: Zou ik een koffie mogen? (Would I be able to have a coffee?)
Learning Flemish vs. Dutch
If you’re learning Dutch through a language learning app like Clozemaster, you’ll encounter Dutch as it’s spoken in The Netherlands. This is true for most language platforms, as “standard Dutch” generally refers to the variety used in The Netherlands.
The good news is that the grammatical foundation is the same, so learning Dutch from The Netherlands provides a strong base to communicate in both regions. That said, there are a few things to keep in mind:
Will you struggle in Belgium?
Not significantly. While there are differences in pronunciation and vocabulary, most Flemish speakers understand Dutch from The Netherlands perfectly well. However, they may smile at certain “typically Dutch” phrases or pronunciations.
Can you adjust?
Absolutely! Exposure to Flemish through media, travel, or practice with locals will help you adapt quickly.
Tips for Navigating Flemish Dutch vs. Netherlands Dutch
- Immerse yourself in media: Watch Dutch shows like De Wereld Draait Door alongside Flemish programs like Thuis or De Mol. F.C. De Kampioenen is another Belgian classic that is a great aid to learning Flemish.
- Practice politeness: Use modal verbs and diminutives to adapt to Flemish norms.
- Use Tools Like Clozemaster: With its focus on Dutch from The Netherlands, Clozemaster‘s vast array of sentence examples and listening practices can give you a strong foundation that you can build on to adapt to Flemish nuances.
- Travel to Both Regions: If possible, spend time in The Netherlands and Belgium to experience the differences firsthand
Flemish vs. Dutch: Which Should You Learn?
Choosing between Flemish and Dutch depends largely on your goals and interests. If you plan to live, work, or travel in Belgium, familiarizing yourself with Flemish nuances will help you connect better with locals. On the other hand, learning Dutch from The Netherlands offers broader access to resources, media, and global recognition of the language as “standard Dutch.”
Fortunately, the core grammar and structure are the same, so learning one provides a strong foundation for understanding the other. Whichever you choose, embracing the diversity within the Dutch language will not only improve your skills but also deepen your appreciation for the unique cultures of Flanders and The Netherlands.
Veel succes! (Good luck!)
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