Hallo, mijn vriend
/ɦɑˈloː mɛi̯n vrint/word by word
The English phrase 'hello, my friend' is translated into Dutch as Hallo, mijn vriend.
Hallo, mijn vriend is a friendly greeting used to address someone you know well.
What does it mean word for word?
This phrase is a literal translation of 'hello, my friend', where hallo means 'hello', mijn means 'my' and vriend means 'friend'.
How does it change in a sentence?
If the friend you are addressing is female, you should use the feminine form Hallo, mijn vriendin instead.
Did you know?
- In the Netherlands, using mijn vriend to describe a man can be ambiguous, as it is also the standard way to refer to a boyfriend.
- The word vriend is historically linked to the verb vrijen, which in older Dutch meant 'to make love' or 'to engage in a sexual relationship'.
- The Dutch word mijn is a homonym with two very different meanings: it means 'my' and it also means 'mine' as in a coal mine or an explosive device.
Example conversation
Daan meets Julia at a cafe.
- DaanHallo, mijn vriend! Wat leuk dat je er bent.Hello, my friend! How lovely that you are here.
- JuliaHoi Daan, ik ben blij om je te zien.Hi Daan, I am happy to see you.
- DaanZullen we samen een kopje koffie drinken?Shall we drink a cup of coffee together?
- JuliaDat is een heel goed idee.That is a very good idea.
