What better way to explore a culture than through its foods? You can't say you know a country—or a language—if you don’t know something about the foods associated with it. So if you really want to get to know the Dutch, you must become familiar with Dutch food as well. Dutch food and cuisine may not be the most famous and it may not be the most delicious either, but it does have its charm. It's flavorful, it's great for those chilly winter days, and it reflects how the Dutch love to enjoy life with a nice hot plate of soothing food, a savory snack, or something sweet. There’s something out there for every taste preference.  Ready to dive into the unfamiliar world of traditional Dutch food with us? In this guide, you’ll learn... Show more

Why do people love inspirational quotes so much? Life is full of them. You see them on social media, in commercials, printed on T-shirts, painted on walls, and even tattooed on people’s skin. There’s something very appealing about these quotes: they represent people’s attitudes, stories, mindsets, histories, and more. Deeper still, they represent cultures. So when you learn quotes from another language, it's like you’re looking through a window into another culture.  What kind of Dutch quotes would you like to learn? Whatever you want, we have it. In this article, we’ve listed thirty Dutch quotes with English translations that will teach you more about Dutch culture and traditions, as well as the typical (often down-to-earth) Dutch... Show more

Can you imagine going to a meeting in the Netherlands’ business world without having any idea about Dutch business customs? Or going into a formal situation and not knowing how to use the formal "you"? (Yes, it’s U, but do you know how to conjugate it?)  The business world varies from country to country, and even within a single country, there’s a big difference between the formal and informal worlds. So although you can handle yourself in the Netherlands in casual settings, you might need to study business Dutch phrases and get some useful tips on Dutch business etiquette before starting work there. Spare yourself all of the awkward situations by getting prepared with these thirty-two useful Dutch business phrases. In this guide,... Show more

https://www.youtube.com/embed/68M1LTjvJzM If you grew up celebrating Halloween, then you already have a good idea of the main component of Carnaval celebrations in the Netherlands: dressing up in costume! But what about the bar-hopping? Or the insane float parades? And how exactly did this holiday originate?  In this article, we’ll discuss the key aspects of Carnaval in the Netherlands and provide you with a list of useful vocabulary to know for the holiday. Enjoy! 1. What is Carnival in the Netherlands? Carnival (also spelled Carnaval) is a three-day Christian celebration observed in several countries around the world. The Dutch Carnaval is mainly celebrated in the nation’s southernmost regions—especially in... Show more

Would you like to improve your Dutch while having fun? No, it’s not too good to be true.  Learning a language is more than just cramming endless vocabulary lists into your memory or picking your brain to understand those tricky Dutch grammar rules. To really learn Dutch, it’s crucial that you find ways to make learning more fun. If you enjoy learning, you’ll stay motivated. So what might be a fun Dutch learning method? As the title already gave away, you can have fun and learn Dutch online with YouTube.  Yes, YouTube is a great medium for improving your Dutch. There are several Dutch YouTube channels dedicated to teaching foreigners the language, and plenty more that you can watch just for fun and still pick up the language. And... Show more

How do you say goodbye in Dutch? This is a big question, because your parting words will leave a lasting impression, for better or worse.  If you’ve been following our blog, you’ve already studied How to Say Hello in Dutch and How to Introduce Yourself in Dutch. Now it’s time to master the art of a perfect Dutch goodbye. Every situation—from leaving the office or chatting with friends, to parting ways with your Dutch lover—calls for a different type of goodbye. This article will teach you what to say, and what not to say, in any situation!  Don’t be afraid; it doesn’t have to be that difficult. In fact, you can choose for yourself how difficult you want it to be. We’ve divided this article into sections that cover: The two most... Show more

https://www.youtube.com/embed/y5_eIxM-x4Y Nearly a quarter of the Dutch population identifies as Roman Catholic, making this the most prominent religion in the country. As such, it should come as no surprise that many Dutch people celebrate the Christian holiday Driekoningen (Epiphany), also known as Three Kings Day. In this article, you’ll learn what Epiphany is all about and explore a variety of Dutch traditions for this holiday. Let’s get started! 1. What is Epiphany? Epiphany is a religious feestdag (holiday) on which Christians commemorate the three wise men who followed a bright star to find Baby Jesus. This is not a public holiday in the Netherlands, though it is still an important holiday for Catholic and... Show more

Do you ever struggle with the formulation of Dutch sentences? You have all the tools you need to form a sentence: You know what you want to say, and you know the words to use. However, at the moment of truth, you just can’t find a way to fit them all together. This can be very frustrating. You’ve made some great progress learning Dutch vocabulary. You’re also starting to understand Dutch verbs and tenses more and more. But in Dutch grammar, word order is essential in putting this knowledge into practice. So, how do you form a Dutch sentence? Help is near. Master this skill with this Dutch word order guide from DutchPod101. Table of Contents Subject + Verb Adding an Object Adding a Complement Adding a Verb at the End... Show more

Everybody loves to receive compliments. Compliments make people feel special and, most importantly, good about themselves. And the Dutch are no exception. They might be more selective about giving compliments, but that just makes the compliments even more special. When you receive Dutch compliments, you know it’s really worth something. Compliments are an indispensable part of any conversation—they’re the perfect way to connect with people. So if you’re in the Netherlands and you’d like to get to know someone, it would be great to learn how to give compliments in Dutch. It will make you come across as sympathetic and interested. Dutch people may be quite reserved at first, but compliments can be the perfect way to open them up. However,... Show more

Did you know that only about twenty percent of people in the Netherlands identify as Christian? The majority of the population is atheist or doesn’t identify with a single religion. However, Whit Monday (though a Christian holiday), is a day that both Christians and the non-religious can enjoy. What is the meaning of Whit Monday, and what kind of traditions take place in the Netherlands? In this article, you’ll learn about the meaning of Pentecost Monday, explore how the Dutch celebrate it, and pick up some new vocabulary! Let’s get started. 1. What is Whit Monday in the Netherlands? Whit Monday (the first Monday after Pentecost) is a Christian holiday that commemorates the giving of the Heilige Geest ("Holy Spirit" )... Show more