Dutch greetings (hello in Dutch)

This chapter is all about Dutch greetings. Here you will learn several ways to say hello, how are you and goodbye in Dutch. You can use these words and sentences if you meet someone for the first time but you can also use them when greeting friends or family. In this chapter you will also learn something about the greeting culture in the Netherlands.

Hello in Dutch

There are several ways to say 'hello' in Dutch. The greeting you use depends on the time of the day and on how well you know the person.

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How are you in Dutch

These sentences can be used if you want to ask how someone is doing.

Goodbye in Dutch

These words and sentences can be used if you want to say goodbye in Dutch.

Greetings in Dutch

The most common way of greeting each other in The Netherlands is giving a handshake. When someone introduces him or herself, he/she will shake hands with you and say his/her name. People shake hands again when they leave and they will thank the person for the visit/present/meeting/dinner etc.

Family and close friends kiss each other 3 times on the cheeks when they greet each other. The 3 kisses are only common among people who know each other well, but it is also acceptable if someone does not want to be kissed. He or she will give a handshake instead. Most men do not kiss other men, so they will shake hands instead. If you want to congratulate someone with his/her birthday/graduation/wedding etc. you will also give 3 kisses on the cheeks.

Train your skills by doing the exercises below!