DutchPod101.com Blog

Are you planning a trip to the Netherlands but aren’t so confident in your Dutch language skills? If so, becoming familiar with Dutch gestures can make your upcoming visit much smoother!  Even if you’re nearly fluent in Dutch, it's good to know the country's hand and body gestures. This knowledge will help you understand the people better, allow you to convey meaning without words, and will most certainly impress your Dutch interlocutors. Once you start learning the common gestures and begin incorporating them naturally into your daily interactions, you’ll appear to be even more fluent! So what are the most common gestures in the Netherlands? Does the Netherlands have a greeting gesture? Dive into this fun topic and become more... 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

Have you ever been to a Dutch dinner party and all of sudden the Dutch were praising everything with lekker, talking about natafelen and the need to go uitbuiken…and you just couldn’t understand what they were saying? That's why it's important to study untranslatable Dutch words. You may at first think that there’s no way to learn these Dutch words with no English equivalent, but it's worth making the extra effort.  Exploring these words is a great way to familiarize yourself with Dutch culture, and learning them will make you sound much more fluent, as only true locals use them. They may also make Dutch conversations and television shows easier to understand.  What you'll find here at DutchPod101 is a list of genuinely... Show more

Would you like to know how to introduce yourself in Dutch? A good introduction is the key to a good first impression. Even if you’re not fluent enough to go through the whole conversation in Dutch, with a fun Dutch introduction you will show people that you are interested in learning the language and discovering the culture. Does that sound very hard? Don’t be scared! It’s not that bad with the help of key phrases like “I am from …” or “my name is …” in Dutch. You don’t have to be fluent, you can just use a catchy script that you modify (slightly) to the occasion. In the Netherlands you may be quickly tempted to talk in English (as many Dutch people will understand you), but your intentions to learn Dutch will be appreciated and it will... 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

In the Netherlands, holidays are celebrated with a lot of heart; Moederdag may be celebrated with even more heart! Moederdag ("Mother's Day") in the Netherlands is special among Dutch holidays, as it gives children and grandchildren a day to rejoice in their mothers. Another fun fact about family holidays: Netherlands first celebrated Mother's Day before it celebrated Father's Day! Do you know when each holiday was first celebrated here? We'll give your curious mind the answer later. ;) At DutchPod101.com, we hope to make learning about holidays in Netherlands both fun and informative! So let's get started. 1. What is Mother's Day? We celebrate Mother's Day being mindful of the fact that our mothers assume the role of... Show more

Wouldn't it be nice if you could improve your Dutch sitting on the couch watching TV? Yes, learning Dutch can really be this fun. If you combine watching Dutch language TV shows with a Dutch language course, you can greatly improve your understanding of the language. Luckily for you, there are many Dutch TV shows to watch, in every genre—Dutch comedy TV shows, cartoons on the Nickelodeon Dutch TV channel, crime series, Dutch reality shows, and more. There’s really something for everyone, and for every learner regardless of their current skill level. In this article, we’ll first explain how watching Dutch TV can boost your Dutch. After that, we’ll give you tips on where to watch Dutch TV series. And last but definitely not least,... Show more

Would you like to work in the Netherlands? There are many different jobs in the Netherlands available for foreigners. However, the range of job opportunities does depend on several factors, such as your access to a visa, your previous job experience, your education, and your proficiency in Dutch. However, no matter your skills or level of Dutch, if you know where to look and how to deal with the Dutch work culture, you'll always be one step ahead of your competitors.  In this guide, we'll walk you through the whole adventure of finding jobs in the Netherlands. We’ll cover topics including: The Dutch requirements to workUseful information about the Dutch job marketThe best places for your job-huntingSome useful tips and tricks to... Show more

Do you often feel lonely and sad? Do you long for romance and are willing to do whatever it takes to meet that special person? Speaking another language could revolutionize your love life! So, why wait? Learning how to say ‘love’ in Dutch could be just what you need to find it. Or perhaps you were lucky, and have found your Dutch partner already. Fantastic! Yet, a cross-cultural relationship comes with unique challenges. Learning how to speak your lover’s language will greatly improve your communication and enhance the relationship. At DutchPod101, our team will teach you all the words, quotes and phrases you need to woo your Dutch lover with excellence! Our tutors provide personal assistance, with plenty of extra material available to... Show more