Dutch alphabet and pronunciation
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This chapter will introduce the Dutch alphabet and the pronunciation of the letters in Dutch to you. Luckily, the Dutch alphabet is exactly the same as the English alphabet, but some letters are pronounced differently. Many Dutch words are difficult to pronounce for non-native speakers, so try to say all the Dutch words on this page out loud!
Lesson outline
HideDutch letters
The Dutch alphabet consists of 26 letters, 21 consonants and 5 vowels. Pronunciation of the Dutch alphabet is not the same as the English alphabet. Listen to the alphabet and try to say the letters out loud afterwards:
A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, W, X, Y, Z.
| A = aa | N = en |
| B = bee | O = oo |
| C = cee | P = pee |
| D = dee | Q = quu |
| E = ee | R = er |
| F = ef | S = es |
| G = gee | T = tee |
| H = haa | U = uu |
| I = ie | V = vee |
| J = jee | W = wee |
| K = kaa | X = iks |
| L = el | Y = ei |
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Pronunciation of consonants
Dutch consonants can stand alone in words, but there are also some consonants combinations in which 2 or 3 different consonants are merged into a single sound.
Single consonants:
Consonant | Pronunciation | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| B | The B has the same pronunciation as the English B. | boek(book), bel(bell), bal(ball). |
| C | The C can be pronounced in two ways, as a K or as a S. The C is pronounced as a S if it stands in front of an I or E. The C is pronounced as a K if it stands in front of an A, O or U. | C as S: cel(cell), cent(penny), centrum(centre) C as K: code, cola, coma |
| D | The D has the same pronunciation as the English D. | dom(dumb), dag(day), dier(animal) |
| F | The F has the same pronunciation as the English F. | fiets(bicycle), fles(bottle), flits(flash) |
| G | The G can be pronounced in several ways. The G in the back of the mouth sound rough, the G in the front of the mouth sounds softer. | geel(yellow), groot(big) gast(guest) |
| H | The H has the same pronunciation as the English H. | hond(dog), hut(cabin), heks(witch) |
| J | The J is pronounced as the “Y” in “yes”. | ja(yes), jong(young), jurk(dress) |
| K | The K is pronounced as the “C” in “cow”. | kast(closet), kleding(clothes), koor(choir) |
| L | The L has the same pronunciation as the English L. | lamp(lamp), lief(sweet), les(lesson) |
| M | The M has the same pronunciation as the English M. | mand(basket), maar(but), melk(milk) |
| N | The N has the same pronunciation as the English N. | nek(neck), nooit(never), niks(nothing) |
| P | The P has the same pronunciation as the English P. | pet(cap), plas(puddle), peen(carrot) |
| S | The S has the same pronunciation as the English S. | slang(snake), stok(stick), sap(juice) |
| T | The T has the same pronunciation as the English T. | teen(toe), taal(language), tik(tap) |
| V | The V is pronounced as the “V” in “very”. | veel(a lot), vis(fish), vies(dirty) |
| W | The W is pronounced as the “W” in “well”. | werk(job), wie(who), warm(hot) |
| Z | The Z has the same pronunciation has the English Z. | zon(sun), zes(six), zalf(salve), zak(bag) |
Consonants combinations:
CH: The letter combination CH is pronounced as the letter G: lach (laugh), licht (light), pech (bad luck), lucht (air).
SCH: The letter SCH is a pronounced as an S + CH if a word starts with it. A SCH at the end of a sentence is pronounced as a single S.
For example:
- SCH in the beginning: school (school), schil (peel), schat (treasure/darling)
- SCH at the end: Belgisch (Belgian) Cryptisch (Cryptic), Arabisch (Arabic)
NG: The NG has the same pronunciation as the English NG: ring (ring), jong (young), bang (scared)
Double consonants
Dutch plural words are written with one or two consonants. The single or double consonants are essential for the pronunciation of the word.
- Singular: tik (tap), plural: tikken (taps)
- Singular: sap (juice), plural: sappen (juices)
- Singular: vis (fish), plural: vissen (fishes)
- Singular: haar (hair), plural: haren (hairs)
- Singular: muur (wall), plural: muren (walls)
- Singular: taal (language), plural: talen (languages)
Dutch vowel pronunciation
Vowels in Dutch can be either short or long. There are also combinations of vowels.
Short vowels:
Vowel | Pronunciation | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| A | The A is pronounced as the “a” in “car”. | pak(suit), man(man), kat(cat), tas(bag) |
| E | The E is pronounced as the “e” in “bed”. | pet(cap), bel(bell), west(west) les(lesson) |
| I | The I is pronounced as the “i” in “it”. | kip(chicken), wit(white), kind(child) |
| O | The O is pronounced as the “o” in “stop”. | bos(forest), sok(sock), pot(pot) |
| U | The U is pronounced as the “u” in “fun”. | rug(back), zus(sister), stuk(piece), druk(busy) |
Long vowels:
Vowel | Pronunciation | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| AA | The AA does not exist in English, but it sounds like the A-sound in “kind” of “white”. | kaas(cheese), maan(moon), taart(pie) |
| EE | The EE is pronounced as the “ea” in “great”. | been(leg), leeg(empty), feest(party) |
| IE | The IE is pronounced as the “ee” in “see”. | vier(four), wiel(wheel), niet(not) |
| OO | The OO is pronounced as the “oa” in “coat”. | boom(tree), rood(red), groot(big), oog(eye) |
| UU | The UU does not exist in English, so listen to the words and try to say them out loud. | uur(hour), muur(wall), vuur(fire) |
Vowel combinations:
Vowel | Pronunciation | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| OE | The OE is pronounced as the “oo” in “pool”. | boek(book), koek(biscuit), boer(farmer), hoed(hat) |
| EU | The EU is pronounced as the French word “feu”. | neus(nose), reus(giant), leuk(nice), breuk(fracture) |
| UI | The UI does not exist in other languages, so listen to the words and try to say them out loud. | huis(house), tuin(garden), fruit(fruit), bruid(bride). |
| EI/IJ | The pronunciation of the EI and the IJ is the same. The EI/IJ is pronounced as the “i” in “find. | mijn(mine/my), reis(journey), ijs(ice), meid(girl) |
Dutch diphthongs
The diphthongs are combinations of 3 or more letters, these can be both vowels and consonants:
Diphthong | Pronunciation | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| AAI | is pronounced as AA + J | taai(tough), haai(shark), saai(boring) |
| OEI | is pronounced as OE + J | boei(buoy), groei(growth), knoei(to mess) |
| OOI | is pronounced as OO + J | hooi(hay), kooi(cage), mooi(beautiful), gooi(to throw) |
| EEUW | is pronounced as EE + W | leeuw(lion), meeuw(seagull), sneeuw(snow), schreeuw(scream) |
| IEUW | is pronounced as IE + W | kieuw(gill), nieuw(new) |
| UW | is pronounced as UU + W | duw(push), ruw(rough) |
Hopefully, the Dutch alphabet and pronunciation is clear for you know. Now it is time to continue with the numbers in Dutch!
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Do you want to improve your Dutch for work and daily life in the Netherlands? I help young expats enhance their Dutch skills, so you can speak and write with more confidence. Not because you have to, but because you want to! My lessons are practical and focused on what you truly need, whether you’re a beginner or already at a higher level.
What you can expect:
Lessons for beginners to advanced learners (B2 to C1), with a methodical and structured approach
Exercises that fit your work and life in the Netherlands
Focus on building confidence and keeping your self-respect, as you find your place as a new resident
Long-term collaboration, aimed at lasting progress and making the most of your new country
In my lessons, you’ll not only learn the language but also how to communicate your unique value and fully use the opportunities in your new home. This way, you’ll get to know the Netherlands better and make your own special contribution!
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Do you want to improve your Dutch for work and daily life in the Netherlands? I help young expats enhance their Dutch skills, so you can speak and write with more confidence. Not because you have to, but because you want to! My lessons are practical and focused on what you truly need, whether you’re a beginner or already at a higher level.
What you can expect:
Lessons for beginners to advanced learners (B2 to C1), with a methodical and structured approach
Exercises that fit your work and life in the Netherlands
Focus on building confidence and keeping your self-respect, as you find your place as a new resident
Long-term collaboration, aimed at lasting progress and making the most of your new country
In my lessons, you’ll not only learn the language but also how to communicate your unique value and fully use the opportunities in your new home. This way, you’ll get to know the Netherlands better and make your own special contribution!
Ready to improve your Dutch? Contact me and let’s explore the possibilities!
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It took me a long time to find my real passion in my (work) life. After studying in two universities, graduating in two bachelors, travelling the world and working abroad for several years I realized public education is where my heart lies. I went for the third time back to the university to get my teachers degree.
I have been a classroom teacher for 5 years in Dutch primary schools before I moved 4,5 years ago abroad to Colombia where I became specifically an English teacher. I am specialized in teaching in pre-, elementary, middle (secondary) and high school. I have been teaching in all different grades and all primary subjects in English and got specialised in Teaching English as a second language. Most schools where I have been working were inspired by the philosophy of 'Vygotsky'. A philosophy and methodology I also use in my private classes. Therefore they are dynamic and adapted to your personal needs.
Working in the Netherlands and Colombia in education and in several countries worldwide have allowed me to gain a variety of skill sets. These experiences also have provided me with the tools necessary for working abroad and online including adaptability, patience, dedication to my peer’s success, and respect for cultural and societal norms. Learning English as a second language from someone that is trained to teach the language like this and also once has learned the language herself as a second language (as my native language is Dutch), gives me a lot of benefits in comparison of learning the language from a native speaker.
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Enjoyable classes, with teaching materials tailored to your needs.
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