Do They Speak English in Amsterdam?
Wondering if they speak English in Amsterdam? This guide tells you everything you need to know about the languages spoken in The Netherlands, and some handy Dutch phrases to help you get by.
Amsterdam is one of my favourite places in the world. It was the first place my boyfriend and I visited just a few weeks after we met, and it holds a special place in my heart.
Its long shaken off its seedier reputation, and it’s now one of the most popular European destinations for a weekend away. With over 160 canals, a brilliant foodie scene, and charming neighbourhoods to explore, there’s something for everyone here.
And with flights from London taking just over an hour, it’s no surprise that over 1 million British tourists visit every year.
In between obsessively checking the weather and deciding what to pack, you might be wondering “do they speak English in Amsterdam?”. This article will reveal all, including the languages they speak in the city, and some useful Dutch phrases to help you on your trip.
Photo by Max van den Oetelaar
Do they speak English in Amsterdam?
Yes! In fact, The Netherlands has one of the highest populations of English speakers in the world. Over 90% of the population speak English at a level comparable to a native speaker.
If you’re wondering if you need to speak Dutch when visiting Amsterdam, the answer is no. The majority of people you meet in Amsterdam will be able to speak English.
But, it’s still useful to learn a few Dutch phrases out of respect (we’ll cover those later).
Can I get a job in Amsterdam if I only speak English?
There’s plenty of jobs in Amsterdam that don’t require you to speak English, so you don’t need to speak Dutch to be able to work there. But it definitely helps to know a few words, and if you can hold a conversation in Dutch, there’ll be more opportunities for you.
How English friendly is Amsterdam?
Amsterdam is a very English friendly city. Over 90% of the population of The Netherlands speak English, so you’ll have no trouble getting around. It’s a really popular destination for British people to visit, with over 1 million British tourists visiting each year.
Why is English so commonly spoken in Amsterdam?
There’s many reasons why English is such a common language in Amsterdam:
- Business and trade: The Netherland plays a very important role in trade across the world, so the country has made learning English a priority.
- Education: The Netherlands has a very high standard of education, and there’s a focus on learning English from a very young age. English is taught as a mandatory subject in school, and many classes and University lectures will be taught in English.
- Culture: People are exposed to English-speaking TV and media from a young age in The Netherlands. Foreign language films and TV shows aren’t dubbed in The Netherlands, people watch them as they are, which helps them learn the language.
- Tourism: Amsterdam is a popular tourist destination, attracting millions of English speakers each year. It’s therefore a huge advantage for those working in public facing professions to speak English.
- Similarity of language: Except for Frisian (a language spoken in the north of The Netherlands), Dutch is the language most similar to English. You’ll notice that a lot of the words are almost identical (“Hallo” and “Hello”, for example). This is because they’re both West Germanic languages. If you can speak English, you might find it easier to understand Dutch, and vice versa. Although pronunciations are very different, and that can be a little tricky!
How many languages do they speak in Amsterdam?
The official language of Amsterdam is Dutch, which is spoken across the whole of The Netherlands. But most people will also speak English.
Outside of Amsterdam, in the Northern province of Fryslân, a regional language called Frisian is spoken.
In The Netherlands, the languages spoken are:
- 90%-93% speak English
- 71% speak German
- 29% speak French
- 5% speak Spanish
How do you say hello in the Netherlands?
Hello in Dutch is very similar to English, it’s “Hallo”. Pronounced HAH-loh, it’s really easy to remember.
You could also try saying Goedemorgen (Good morning), Goedendag (Good day), Goedemiddag (Good afternoon) or Goedenavond (Good evening).
You’ll also hear the Dutch saying “Hoi”, meaning Hi.
Do I need to speak Dutch if I visit Amsterdam?
No, you don’t need to speak Dutch if you visit Amsterdam, as the majority of people you meet will be able to speak English extremely proficiently.
Dutch words to use during your trip
Although most people will speak English in Amsterdam, it’s always helpful (and polite), to learn how to say some basic phrases in the local language.
It shows an interest in the culture and people of the place you’re visiting.
Here’s some useful Dutch words that will be useful for your trip:
1. Hello – Hallo
Pronounced HAH-loh, this one’s easy to remember as it’s very similar to English!
2. Good morning – Goedemorgen
Pronounced HUH-duh-MOR-huhn, this is a more formal greeting than Hallo, and is used before midday. It can also be shortened to “morgen”.
3. Good afternoon – Goedemiddag
If you’re greeting people after 12pm, you can use Goedemiddag (HUH-duh-MID-dahg).
4. Good evening – Goedenavond
In the evenings, use Goedenavond (HUH-duh-NAH-vont) to greet people.
5. Goodbye – Tot ziens
Pronounced TOTE zeens, this is how most Dutch people say goodbye. You can also use Doei, which is a more casual phrase, meaning bye.
6. Thank you – Dank je wel/Bedankt
Both of these phrases mean thank you. Dank je wel (DAHNK yuh vel) is more formal than Bedankt (buh-DANKT).
7. Please – Alsjeblieft
This is the word for please, pronounced AHL-syuh-BLEEFT. It’s a little trickier to pronounce for English speakers than some of the other words, so practice it before you go as you’ll need it a lot!
8. Yes – Ja
Yes is Ja (pronounced YA) a nice easy one.
9. No – Nee
No is Nee, (pronounced NAY).
10. Excuse me – Pardon
You shouldn’t have any trouble remembering this, as it’s the exact same as English.
11. Do you speak English? – Spreekt u Engels?
This one’s really useful before you start speaking to someone. It’s pronounced “SPREKT oo EN-ghuls?”
12. I don’t understand – Ik begrijp het niet
You might need this phrase too, if someone speaks to you in Dutch and you can’t understand what they’re saying. “I don’t understand” is Ik begrijp het niet, prounounced IK buh-GRAIP het neet.
13. Where is? – Waar is?
If you need to ask for directions, simply ask “Waar is…?” very similar to English!
14. How much does it cost? Hoeveel kost het?
Looking to buy tickets to a tourist attraction, you can ask “Hoeveel kost het?”, pronounced “HOO-vale kost het?”
15. I would like – Ik wil graag
If you’re ordering something at a restaurant, simply say “Ik wil graag” (IK wil grahg…)
16. Cheers! Proost!
Last, and arguably most importantly, you need to know how to say cheers in Dutch. You’ve probably heard this one before, it’s Proost, pronounced “Prohst”.
So, do they speak English in Amsterdam?
Do they speak English in Amsterdam? Yes, they do! If you’re looking for a destination where communication will be easy, you couldn’t get much better than Amsterdam.
With the majority of the population speaking English extremely well, you’ll find it really easy to navigate your way through the city.
Language barriers shouldn’t be a problem on your trip, but it’s still a good idea to learn some basic Dutch phrases.
Putting the effort in to learn how to say hello, thank you and good bye, will show the locals that you respect their culture and want to make an effort.
