Dutch People Switch to English? 10 Phrases to Keep Speaking Dutch

You finally order your coffee in Dutch. The barista answers in English.

It happens to almost everyone who learns Dutch in the Netherlands. The good news: you can change it with a few simple sentences.

Why do they switch?

Most of the time, it is kindness. Many Dutch people speak good English. When they hear you hesitate, they help by switching. It is not a test, and it does not mean your Dutch is bad.

It does mean you lose your practice. So you have to ask, politely, to stay in Dutch.

10 phrases that keep the conversation in Dutch

1. "Mag ik het in het Nederlands proberen?" (May I try it in Dutch?). The best first sentence. Polite and clear.
2. "Ik wil graag mijn Nederlands oefenen." (I would like to practise my Dutch.) Tell them why. People like to help.
3. "Kun je iets langzamer praten?" (Could you speak a bit slower?) Slow is better than English.
4. "Kun je dat herhalen?" (Could you repeat that?) Use it as often as you need.
5. "Wat betekent dat?" (What does that mean?) When you hear a new word, ask. This is how you learn.
6. "Hoe zeg je dat in het Nederlands?" (How do you say that in Dutch?) Use it when you are stuck on one word.
7. "Zeg het maar als ik iets fout zeg." (Tell me if I say something wrong.) You give permission to be corrected.
8. "Ik leer nog. Bedankt voor je geduld!" (I am still learning. Thanks for your patience!) Friendly and honest.
9. "Kun je dat spellen?" (Can you spell that?) Useful for names, streets and new words.
10. "Zullen we in het Nederlands blijven?" (Shall we stay in Dutch?) A gentle way to switch back when the conversation drifts to English.

Je or u? Je is informal. Use it with friends, colleagues and people your age. U is formal. You hear it with older people, in some shops and in official situations. If you are not sure, copy how the other person speaks to you. For u, change "kun je" to "kunt u".

When it is OK to switch

Sometimes English is the better choice. At the doctor, with a contract or in an emergency, clear communication matters more than practice. Say: "Kunnen we hier even in het Engels doorgaan?" (Can we continue in English for this?) You do not have to practise in every situation.

A simple 7-day plan

• Day 1 to 2: learn phrases 1 and 2. Use them once a day, for example in a shop.
• Day 3 to 4: add phrases 3 and 4. Practise saying them out loud at home.
• Day 5 to 6: add phrases 5 and 7 in one real conversation.
• Day 7: have one longer conversation of 15 to 30 minutes with a person who wants to practise with you.

Phrases alone will not make you fluent. The long conversation on day 7 is the important part. Read more about why in Why You Understand Dutch but Can't Speak It.

Where to find someone who wants to talk

• A library taalcafé. Free and walk-in in many cities. See our taalcafé guide.
• A language exchange. You speak Dutch half of the time, and the other person speaks their own language. Read what a language exchange is.
• TaalMeet. A free app for iPhone and Android that shows you people near you who speak the language you are learning and want to learn yours. You meet for a coffee. It is live in The Hague, and other cities are on a waitlist. Download the app.

More ideas to practise for free: How to learn to speak Dutch for free and Nederlands oefenen.