New Year phrases · Nederlands
New Year phrases in Dutch: 20 phrases
Wish people a happy new year, raise a glass, ask to join a table, find out who is watching the fireworks and where, ask for the last metro, and say thank you, you too. Short, common phrases for New Year's Eve and the winter holidays; secular greetings only.
Phrases, not advice. These cards only help you say what you need. They give no medical, legal, tax or financial advice. For any decision, ask the pharmacist, doctor, bank or the official office.
Register: Informal (friendly). In the Netherlands New Year's Eve is "oud en nieuw" (also "oudejaarsavond"). "Je" is normal with people your age at a party; use "u" with older people and staff you do not know.
How to read the sounds: g and ch are a rough throat sound, written kh (like Scottish 'loch'), stronger than English h. ou/ui = 'ow'; ij/ei = 'ay' (as in 'say'); eu = a rounded 'uh' (like French 'peu'); uu = 'ew' (say 'ee' with rounded lips); oe = 'oo'. Stress is in CAPITALS.
20 phrases you will need
- 01NeutralGelukkig nieuwjaar!Say it like: kheh-LUK-ikh NEE-oo-yahrHappy New Year!Register: Said from midnight on. "Een gelukkig nieuwjaar!" also works.
- 02NeutralHet allerbeste voor 2027!Say it like: het AH-ler-bes-teh vor tvay-DOW-zent-ZAY-ven-en-TVIN-tikhAll the best for 2027!Register: Say the year as: tweeduizendzevenentwintig.
- 03NeutralProost!Say it like: prohstCheers!Register: Used everywhere when glasses are raised.
- 04NeutralFijne kerstdagen!Say it like: FAY-neh KERST-dah-khenMerry Christmas!Register: Literally "nice Christmas days". "Vrolijk kerstfeest!" is the more traditional form.
- 05NeutralFijne feestdagen!Say it like: FAY-neh FEEST-dah-khenHappy holidays!Register: Covers Christmas and New Year together.
- 06InformalDank je, jij ook!Say it like: dahnk yuh yay ohkThank you, you too!Register: Polite: "Dank u, u ook!"
- 07NeutralMag ik erbij komen zitten?Say it like: makh ik er-BAY KOH-men ZIT-tenCan I join you?Register: Friendly and polite.
- 08InformalWat ga je doen met oud en nieuw?Say it like: vat khah yuh doon met owt en NEE-ooWhat are your plans for New Year's Eve?Register: Polite: "Wat gaat u doen met oud en nieuw?"
- 09InformalWaar ga je naar het vuurwerk kijken?Say it like: vaar khah yuh naar het VEWR-verk KAY-kenWhere are you watching the fireworks?Register: Casual, "je".
- 10NeutralIs dit de rij voor …?Say it like: iss dit duh ray voorIs this the queue for …?Register: Add what you queue for, for example "voor de oliebollen".
- 11NeutralHet is ijskoud!Say it like: het iss AYS-kowtIt's freezing!Register: Literally "ice cold".
- 12InformalWeet je een plek die vanavond nog open is?Say it like: vayt yuh en plek dee vah-NAH-vont nokh OH-pen issDo you know a place that's open tonight?Register: Polite: "Weet u een plek ...?"
- 13NeutralHoe laat gaat de laatste metro?Say it like: hoo laat khaat duh LAAT-steh MAY-trohWhat time is the last metro?Register: For a bus say "de laatste bus" ("duh LAAT-steh bus").
- 14PoliteKunt u een foto van ons maken?Say it like: kunt ew en FOH-toh vahn ons MAH-kenCould you take a photo of us?Register: Polite; with friends: "Kun je een foto van ons maken?"
- 15InformalVolgend jaar weer!Say it like: VOL-khent yaar vayrSame time next year!Register: Literally "next year again".
- 16NeutralIs deze plek nog vrij?Say it like: iss DAY-zeh plek nokh vrayIs this seat free?Register: Said at a table or on a bench.
- 17InformalMag ik een drankje voor je halen?Say it like: makh ik en DRAHNK-yuh vor yuh HAH-lenCan I get you a drink?Register: Friendly and casual.
- 18InformalHet is bijna middernacht!Say it like: het iss BAY-nah MID-der-nakhtIt's almost midnight!Register: Casual.
- 19NeutralFijne avond nog!Say it like: FAY-neh AH-vont nokhHave a good rest of your evening!Register: A friendly way to leave.
- 20InformalFijne feestdagen gehad?Say it like: FAY-neh FEEST-dah-khen kheh-HATDid you have a nice holiday?Register: Use it after the holidays. Short for "Heb je fijne feestdagen gehad?"
Local custom
- Oliebollen (Dutch deep-fried dough balls, traditionally with raisins, covered in icing sugar) are eaten around New Year's Eve and sold at oliebollen stalls from October onwards. Source: I amsterdam — official city marketing / visitors board of Amsterdam
Quick answers
How do you say Happy New Year in Dutch?
Say: "Gelukkig nieuwjaar!" (Happy New Year!)
Should I use informal or formal Dutch at a New Year's Eve party?
In the Netherlands New Year's Eve is "oud en nieuw" (also "oudejaarsavond"). "Je" is normal with people your age at a party; use "u" with older people and staff you do not know.
How do I ask to join a table in Dutch?
Try: "Mag ik erbij komen zitten?" (Can I join you?)
firstphrases.app/survival/newyear/nl/ · Phrases, not advice · Meet & Mint