Let’s be honest, the Dutch can sometimes be a bit annoying. We’re loud, direct, and don’t often shy away from confrontation. Foreigners who experience this typical Dutch directness may see it as offensive, especially when they’re not used to it. Is that the case for you? Don’t take it personally, and keep your cool. We promise that you’ll get used to the Dutch directness, and you may even learn to appreciate the loose use of mild Dutch curse words. However, did the Dutch cross a line? Are you ready to get angry? Then do it well and do it Dutch-style—direct and honest. Learn how to say "angry" in Dutch, and how to use various words and phrases to express your anger in the heat of the moment. Keep in mind that the Dutch like to use curse... Show more

What is the most defining moment you will face this year? From memories that you immortalize in a million photographs, to days you never wish to remember, one thing's for certain: big life events change you. The great poet, Bukowski, said, "We are here to laugh at the odds and live our lives so well, that death will tremble to take us." The older I get, the more I agree with him! Talking about significant events in our lives is part of every person's journey, regardless of creed or culture. If you're planning to stay in for more than a quick visit, you're sure to need at least a few 'life events' phrases that you can use. After all, many of these are shared experiences, and it's generally expected that we will show up with good manners... Show more

In the Netherlands, Easter Monday is a public holiday, celebrated just as much as—if not more than—Easter Sunday. The Dutch celebrate this major religious holiday with a range of fun and adventurous traditions, some of which you may be familiar with! In this article, you’ll learn about Easter in the Netherlands, how it’s celebrated, and gain some new vocabulary while you’re at it. Let’s get started. 1. What is Easter Monday? On Easter, Christians celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus three days after his crucifixion. According to Christian belief, he died to take on the sins of the world and then resurrected to prove his triumph over death. Easter Monday is the day following the actual Easter holiday. In the Netherlands,... Show more

Did you know there are many different types of calendars? As you probably know - a calendar is a system of organizing days in weeks and months for specific purposes, according to Wikipedia. Worldwide, most countries use the Gregorian calendar. Some just work on the same framework, meaning that time is divided into units based on the earth's movement around the sun - the "solar calendar". Other calendars keep time by observing the moon's movements, a combination of the moon and the sun's movements, and seasons. Through DutchPod101, you can learn all about this and so much more! Our themed, culturally relevant lessons are skillfully designed so you can do your planning perfectly for a holiday or a date. Having a good plan for a visit or... Show more

Did you know that only some reptiles and birds don't parent their offspring? Except for crocodiles, all reptiles (and one family of bird species called megapodes) hatch from eggs and grow up alone, without any family. The rest of us need family if we are to survive and thrive - humans and animals alike! At DutchPod101, we know how important family is. Therefore, we take care to teach you all the important vocabulary and phrases pertaining to family. Table of Contents Why Is It Important to Know Dutch Vocabulary about Family? Learn a New Culture? Learn its Family Vocab first How DutchPod101 Can Help You Learn Dutch Family Terms 1. Why Is It Important to Know Dutch Vocabulary about Family? Well, if you're serious about... Show more

Each year on his birthday, Sinterklaas arrives in the Netherlands with his helpers and gives out candies and gifts to children who have been good. Saint Nicholas Eve, the night before St. Nicholas Day, is also a time of gift-giving and pleasant surprises among adults, in honor of the real saint this holiday is based on. In this article, you’ll learn about how the Dutch celebrate Sinterklaas and about the traditional Sinterklaas stories. Ready? Let’s get started! 1. What is St. Nicholas’ Eve? St. Nicholas Eve is the night before Sinterklaas and the Saint’s birthday. On this night, Saint Nicholas arrives in the Netherlands with presents. Although most Dutch people have grown up with this celebration, for most non-Dutch... Show more

You're learning to speak Dutch, and it's going well. Your confidence is growing! So much so that you feel ready to share your experiences on social media—in Dutch. At Learn Dutch, we make this easy for you to get it right the first time. Post like a boss with these phrases and guidelines, and get to practice your Dutch in the process. 1. Talking about Your Restaurant Visit in Dutch Eating out is fun, and often an experience you'd like to share. Take a pic, and start a conversation on social media in Dutch. Your friend will be amazed by your language skills...and perhaps your taste in restaurants! Jan eats at a restaurant with his friends, posts an image of the group, and leaves this comment: POST Let's break down Jan's post. ... Show more

Do you use a lot of slang when you talk online or text your friends? English slang words like LOL (laughing out loud), WTF (what the f**k), BRB (be right back), and NVM (nevermind) are quite popular online and you’ve probably used them before.  Using slang is part of every culture, and every country has its own text and internet slang. The Netherlands is no exception!  As a Dutch learner, it may come in handy for you to learn some Dutch internet slang words. This will allow you to understand your Dutch friends online and impress native speakers. However, you should never use these terms in formal situations; Dutch text / internet slang is mainly used between friends.  In this article, we will…  ...discuss... Show more

What is Pentecost Sunday in the Netherlands? Each year, the Netherlands observes the Pentecostal celebration to remember the Covenant between God and Israel, as well as the descension of the Holy Spirit onto Christians. The Day of Pentecost is celebrated both as a religious holiday and as an opportunity to relax and enjoy life. In learning about the Dutch traditions for the Feast of Pentecost, you’ll see how Dutch culture intertwines with a holiday celebrated in various parts of the world. In turn, you’ll better absorb the Dutch way of life and the Netherlands’ culture, especially regarding religion. Understanding culture is one of the most essential steps in mastering any target language, and at DutchPod101.com, we hope to make... Show more

Wouldn't it be nice if you could improve your Dutch by, say, watching movies? Yes, learning Dutch could really be that fun. Supplementing your Dutch language course with Dutch movies could really boost your understanding of the language!  Watching movies in your target language is a unique way to practice your listening comprehension skills in a relaxed environment, without the pressure you may feel in a real-life conversation. Is there something you don't understand? Then just turn on the subtitles or pause the video while you look it up.  In this article, we'll first explain how watching Dutch movies can boost your Dutch. After that, we'll give you tips on where to watch Dutch movies and provide you with a selection of... Show more