veel plezier
/veːl pləˈziːr/word by word
To say "have fun" in Dutch, use veel plezier.
The phrase veel plezier is used to wish someone a good time. You can also use the phrase veel plezier met… to specify that you wish someone fun with a particular person, place or activity.
Meaning: wish someone a good time (intj)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase veel plezier literally translates to "much pleasure".
Which one should you use?
veel plezier is a noun phrase used to express a wish, whereas lol maken is a verbal phrase meaning "to make/have fun" or "to joke around".
Is it said differently in some regions?
In the Limburgs dialect, you can say Vööl plezeer! to mean "Have fun!"
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
/veːl pləˈziːr/
Did you know?
- The word plezier is a direct loanword from the French word plaisir.
- The word plezier is quite formal in its roots, but in modern Dutch, the phrase veel plezier is used so frequently that it has lost its sense of 'high pleasure' and is now just a standard social politeness.
Examples in context
- Veel plezier in Boston.Have fun in Boston.This example shows how to use veel plezier when referring to a city.Tatoeba #12997757 by MarijnKp, translation #3826133 by CK
- Veel plezier in Australië.Have fun in Australia.This example shows how to use veel plezier when referring to a country.Tatoeba #8657306 by MarijnKp, translation #7191562 by CK
- Veel plezier!Have fun.This example shows a standalone use of veel plezier.Tatoeba #598706 by Citrine, translation #21267 by CK
- Wij wensen u veel plezier bij de receptie.We wish you a lot of fun at the reception.
- Ik wens u een fijne vakantie, geniet ervan!I wish you a nice vacation, enjoy it!
- Ga je vanavond uit? Veel plezier!Are you going out tonight? Have fun!
- Veel plezier met je nieuwe hobby!Have fun with your new hobby!
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucas is leaving for a movie with friends.
- EmmaGa je nu naar de bioscoop, Lucas?Are you going to the cinema now, Lucas?
- LucasJa, ik ga met vrienden.Yes, I am going with friends.
- EmmaVeel plezier vandaag!Have fun today!
- LucasDank je wel, Emma!Thank you, Emma!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “have fun” translations and entries veel plezier, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (veel, plezier) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries plezier, veel, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
