taal
/taːl/feminine
The English word 'language' is translated to Dutch as taal. Wiktionary also lists spraak.
Meaning: body of words used as a form of communication (noun)
Ways to say it
| Dutch | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| taal | /taːl/ | feminine |
| spraak | /spraːk/ | feminine |
taal is the most common and neutral way to refer to a language.
Which one should you use?
taal refers to the entire system of a language, whereas spraak refers specifically to speech or the spoken aspect of communication.
How does it change in a sentence?
taal is a feminine noun. Its plural form is talen.
How do you pronounce it?
/taːl/
Did you know?
- In Dutch, the expression met iemand een taal spreken means to be on the same wavelength or to understand each other's perspective, regardless of the actual language used.
- The term taalgevoel describes a native-like 'feel' or intuition for a language, a concept for which English has no single equivalent word.
- The Dutch word taal is a cognate of the English word 'tale'. While 'tale' now refers to a story, both words share a root meaning 'counting' or 'reckoning'.
Examples in context
- Ik ken uw taal.I know your language.This sentence is useful for expressing familiarity with someone's language using taal.Tatoeba #10108762 by megamanenm, translation #656787 by janmato
- Dat is mijn taal.That's my language.This sentence is useful for identifying a specific language using taal.Tatoeba #14017936 by doemaar14, translation #14015514 by rul
- Welke taal is het?What language is this?This sentence is useful for asking which language is being used using taal.Tatoeba #8984820 by Nylez, translation #4749473 by CK
- Ik studeer de Nederlandse taal.I study the Dutch language.
- Welke talen spreek je?Which languages do you speak?
- Ik spreek verschillende talen.I speak various languages.
- Engels is de voertaal in dit bedrijf.English is the language of communication in this company.
- Spreek je Vlaams? Dat is een grappig taaltje!Do you speak Flemish? That's a funny language!
- Kun je Spaans spreken?Can you speak Spanish?
- Ik kan goed Engels spreken.I can speak English well.
- 489 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Julia and Noah are discussing their studies at university.
- JuliaWelke taal leer jij nu, Noah?Which language are you learning now, Noah?
- NoahIk leer de Spaanse taal.I am learning the Spanish language.
- JuliaIs die taal moeilijk voor jou?Is that language difficult for you?
- NoahNee, ik vind het leuk.No, I think it is fun.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “language” translations and entries taal, spraak, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries spraak, taal, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
