Nederlands
/ˈneː.dərˌlɑnts/
The English phrase "dutch language" is translated into Dutch as Nederlands.
Nederlands refers to the West Germanic language spoken primarily in the Netherlands and Belgium. It functions as both the name of the language and an adjective to describe things of Dutch origin, such as Nederlandse cultuur (Dutch culture).
Which one should you use?
While Nederlands is the standard term for the language, Nederlandse taal is a formal way to say "Dutch language" in the Netherlands. In an informal context, one might hear Hollands used to refer to the language, though this specifically points to dialects from the Holland region.
Is it said differently in some regions?
Hollands is used informally to refer to the language, specifically referring to dialects of the Holland region.
How does it change in a sentence?
When referring to the language in a sentence, it is common to use the neuter article het Nederlands.
How do you pronounce it?
Nederlands is pronounced /ˈneː.dərˌlɑnts/. It has 3 syllables, and the stress is on the 1st syllable.
Did you know?
- The term Nederlands is used in Belgium, but the variety spoken there is often called Vlaams (Flemish) to distinguish it from the variety spoken in the Netherlands.
- The name Nederlands literally translates to 'Low-lands' language, reflecting the country's geography of low-lying lands.
- In certain historical or very formal linguistic contexts, you might encounter the term Nederduits, though this is now considered archaic or specific to certain religious contexts.
Examples in context
- Wat is de officiële taal van Nederland?What is the official language of the Netherlands?
- De officiële taal van Nederland is de Nederlandse taal.The official language of the Netherlands is the Dutch language.
- Waar kom je vandaan?Where are you from?
- Ik kom uit Nederland. Dus ik spreek Nederlands.I am from the Netherlands, so I speak Dutch.
- Ik leer de Nederlandse taal.I am learning the Dutch language.
- Hij spreekt vloeiend Nederlands.He speaks Dutch fluently.
- Is Nederlands een moeilijke taal?Is Dutch a difficult language?
Example conversation
Emma and Noah are talking about language classes at a cafe.
- EmmaNoah, leer jij ook Nederlands?Noah, are you also learning Dutch?
- NoahJa, ik vind Nederlands erg leuk.Yes, I find Dutch very fun.
- EmmaDat is goed om te horen.That is good to hear.
- NoahDank je, Emma.Thank you, Emma.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry Nederlands, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
