How Dutch People Talk: Language, Expression, and Local Sound

Understanding how Dutch people communicate is a great way to explore the culture of the Netherlands. From formal greetings to regional accents, the way Dutch is spoken can vary widely depending on the context and location. Here’s what children—and their parents—should know when learning Dutch.

Formal and Informal Speech

In the Netherlands, people often use the formal words “U” (you) or “Uw” (your) when speaking to strangers, elders, or in professional settings. This shows politeness and respect. Children are usually taught to speak formally to older people, and in many cases, adults will continue using the formal tone unless invited to switch to informal speech.

Once a relationship becomes more relaxed or friendly, speakers may shift to informal terms like “je” or “jij” (also meaning “you”). But until that happens, Dutch people prefer to keep the formality in their conversations—especially older generations who were raised with these customs.

Regional Differences in Dialects

Although the Netherlands is a relatively small country, it has a surprisingly large number of dialects. There are more than thirty distinct ways of speaking Dutch across the country. These dialects are closely tied to the geography, history, and religion of each region.

Southern Netherlands: Below the major rivers (Rijn, Waal, and Maas), the population is historically Catholic and more culturally connected to Belgium and France. Dialects like Brabants, Limburgs, and Zeeuws are common here. These dialects often have softer tones and different word choices compared to standard Dutch.

Northern Netherlands: Above the rivers, the country has Protestant roots and cultural influences from Scandinavia. Dialects spoken in this part include Gronings, Drents, and Achterhoeks. These often sound stronger and sharper, and some words are unique to each province.

Friesland and the Friesian Language

In the northern province of Friesland, people speak a completely different language: Friesian. It is recognized as an official language in the Netherlands and has its own grammar and vocabulary. More than 400,000 people speak Friesian, and it is taught in schools alongside Dutch. Learning about Friesian offers a fun glimpse into the country’s linguistic diversity.

How Kids Can Learn Dutch Accents and Speech

To help kids get used to the different ways Dutch is spoken, you can listen to regional music, stories, and cartoons. Watching how people greet each other or how characters in a video use formal vs. informal speech is both fun and educational.

Dinolingo’s Dutch program makes this even easier. With animated lessons, children can hear proper pronunciation and learn new words in context. Whether your child is just beginning or already understands some Dutch, Dinolingo offers tools that encourage natural language use and cultural discovery.

Let your child explore the sounds of Dutch—and maybe even pick up a regional phrase or two!