First Phrases

Christmas market · Nederlands

Christmas market in Dutch: 16 phrases

Order mulled wine or an alcohol-free punch, sort out the mug deposit, ask the price, pay by card, find the lantern walk or the concert, and start a chat at a standing table. Natural phrases for a winter market evening.

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: Neutral. At a Dutch "kerstmarkt" people order briefly and informally; "alstublieft" or "graag" is enough, and "je" is normal with other visitors. Mulled wine is "glühwein" (also "warme wijn"). Some markets use a deposit ("statiegeld") on mugs or cups, others do not, so ask. Cards are usually accepted, but not at every stall.

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.

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16 phrases you will need

  1. 01Neutral
    Eén glühwein, graag.
    Say it like: ayn GLUE-vine, khrakh
    One mulled wine, please.
    Register: The usual way to order.
  2. 02Neutral
    Een warme chocolademelk, graag.
    Say it like: un WAR-muh shoh-koh-LAH-duh-melk, khrakh
    One hot chocolate, please.
    Register: Add "met slagroom" for whipped cream.
  3. 03Neutral
    Hebben jullie ook een alcoholvrije variant?
    Say it like: HEB-buh YUL-lee oke un AL-koh-hol-vry-uh vah-ree-ANT
    Do you also have an alcohol-free version?
    Register: "Jullie" = plural "you"; use "u" for an older person.
  4. 04Neutral
    Zit er statiegeld op de beker?
    Say it like: zit air STAH-tsee-khelt op duh BAY-ker
    Is there a deposit on the cup?
    Register: "Statiegeld" = deposit.
  5. 05Neutral
    Ik breng de beker terug. Krijg ik mijn statiegeld terug?
    Say it like: ik bren duh BAY-ker tuh-RUKH. krike ik mine STAH-tsee-khelt tuh-RUKH
    I'm bringing the cup back. Can I get my deposit back?
    Register: Hand it in at the stall.
  6. 06Neutral
    Mag ik de beker houden?
    Say it like: makh ik duh BAY-ker HOW-duh
    Can I keep the cup?
    Register: You usually lose the deposit.
  7. 07Neutral
    Hoeveel is dat?
    Say it like: hoo-VAYL is dat
    How much is that?
    Register: Neutral.
  8. 08Neutral
    Kan ik met de pin betalen?
    Say it like: kan ik met duh pin buh-TAH-luh
    Can I pay by card?
    Register: "Pinnen" = pay by debit card, the usual word in the Netherlands.
  9. 09Neutral
    Doe er nog maar één, alstublieft.
    Say it like: doo air nokh mar ayn, AHL-stew-bleeft
    One more, please.
    Register: Casual and natural; "Nog eentje, graag" also works.
  10. 10Neutral
    Waar begint de lampionnenoptocht?
    Say it like: vahr buh-GHINT duh lam-pee-ON-nuh-op-tokht
    Where does the lantern parade start?
    Register: For a concert say "het concert": "Waar is het concert?"
  11. 11Neutral
    Is deze plek nog vrij?
    Say it like: is DAY-zuh plek nokh vry
    Is this spot free?
    Register: Works for a seat or a place at a standing table.
  12. 12Informal
    Mag ik hier even staan? Het is wel druk vandaag, hè?
    Say it like: makh ik heer AY-fuh stahn? het is vel druk van-DAHKH, heh
    May I stand here for a moment? It's busy today, isn't it?
    Register: Friendly opener at a standing table.
  13. 13Neutral
    Fijne kerst!
    Say it like: FY-nuh kerst
    Merry Christmas!
    Register: "Fijne feestdagen!" (happy holidays) works for everyone.
  14. 14Neutral
    Is er iets vegetarisch te eten?
    Say it like: is air eets vay-khuh-TAH-rees tuh AY-tuh
    Is there anything vegetarian to eat?
    Register: Neutral.
  15. 15Neutral
    Waar zijn de toiletten?
    Say it like: vahr zine duh twah-LET-tuh
    Where are the toilets?
    Register: Neutral.
  16. 16Polite
    Kunt u een foto van ons maken, alstublieft?
    Say it like: kunt ew un FOH-toh van ons MAH-kuh, AHL-stew-bleeft
    Could you take a photo of us, please?
    Register: Polite; with someone your age "Kun je…?"

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Quick answers

What do I say to start at the Christmas market in Dutch?

Start with: "Eén glühwein, graag." (One mulled wine, please.)

Should I use informal or formal Dutch at the Christmas market?

At a Dutch "kerstmarkt" people order briefly and informally; "alstublieft" or "graag" is enough, and "je" is normal with other visitors. Mulled wine is "glühwein" (also "warme wijn"). Some markets use a deposit ("statiegeld") on mugs or cups, others do not, so ask. Cards are usually accepted, but not at every stall.

How do I order mulled wine in Dutch?

Try: "Eén glühwein, graag." (One mulled wine, please.)

Same errand, another language

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Dutch, another errand

Pharmacy Doctor / GP Opening a bank account Tax office Renting a flat Christmas market

Also: New Year phrases in Dutch

All 6 × 6 survival decks · Phrases for an evening out

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firstphrases.app/survival/xmas/nl/ · Phrases, not advice · Meet & Mint