hoeveel
/ɦuˈveːl/
hoeveel is the Dutch way to say "how much".
hoeveel is used as a determiner to ask about the amount or cost of something. It is appropriate for both uncountable quantities.
Meaning: what is the cost/price? (det)
Which one should you use?
hoeveel refers to quantity, amount or cost and can be translated as both "how much" and "how many". In contrast, hoezeer is used to ask about the degree, intensity or extent of something.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
When hoeveel is used as a determiner before a noun, its form does not change regardless of whether the noun is singular or plural.
How do you pronounce it?
/ɦuˈveːl/
Did you know?
- Dutch speakers often use the phrase hoeveel kost dat as a literal translation, but in casual settings, they might simply point and say Wat kost dit?, using 'what' instead of 'how much'.
- In the Netherlands, asking hoeveel when paying at a market may lead to a conversation about 'afdingen', the cultural practice of haggling to lower the price.
- The word hoeveel is a 'univerbation', a linguistic phenomenon where two separate words, hoe and veel, fused together over centuries to form a single new word.
Examples in context
- Hoeveel moet ik u?How much do I owe you?This sentence shows how to use hoeveel to ask about an amount owed.Tatoeba #701080 by martinod, translation #257062 by CK
- Hoeveel is er over?How much is there left?This sentence demonstrates using hoeveel to ask about a remaining quantity.Tatoeba #8064665 by Elsofie, translation #3731784 by CM
- Hoeveel geld heb je?How much money do you have?This sentence provides an example of using hoeveel with an uncountable noun like money.Tatoeba #3042816 by Citrine, translation #64597 by CK
- Wat is de prijs van de dagelijkse specialiteit?What is the price of the daily special?
- Hoe duur zijn de verse eieren?How expensive are the fresh eggs?
- 357 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Noah is buying a piece of fruit at a market.
- NoahHallo, hoeveel kost deze appel?Hello, how much does this apple cost?
- JuliaDie is vijftig cent, Noah.That one is fifty cents, Noah.
- NoahDat is goed, ik neem hem.That is fine, I'll take it.
- JuliaAlstublieft, hier is uw appel.Here you go, here is your apple.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “how much” translations and entries hoeveel, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries hoeveel, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
