March 16, 2026

Dutch Grammar Part 4 – Essential Vocabulary & Exam Phrases for A2 | FREE Inburgering Exam Prep | Learn Dutch With AI

This guide contains essential vocabulary categories, common phrases, and conversational patterns you need for the inburgering exam at A2 level. Organized by topic to help you prepare for all exam…

Table of Contents

1. Numbers (Getallen)

Cardinal Numbers (0-100)

0-20:

0 = nul (null)
1 = een / één (ayn)
2 = twee (tvay)
3 = drie (dree)
4 = vier (fear)
5 = vijf (fayf)
6 = zes (zess)
7 = zeven (zay-ven)
8 = acht (akht)
9 = negen (nay-gen)
10 = tien (teen)
11 = elf (elf)
12 = twaalf (tvahlf)
13 = dertien (der-teen)
14 = veertien (fayr-teen)
15 = vijftien (fayf-teen)
16 = zestien (zess-teen)
17 = zeventien (zay-ven-teen)
18 = achttien (akht-teen)
19 = negentien (nay-gen-teen)
20 = twintig (tvin-tikh)

Tens:

30 = dertig (der-tikh)
40 = veertig (fayr-tikh)
50 = vijftig (fayf-tikh)
60 = zestig (zess-tikh)
70 = zeventig (zay-ven-tikh)
80 = tachtig (takh-tikh)
90 = negentig (nay-gen-tikh)
100 = honderd (hon-dert)

21-99 Pattern: ONE + en + TEN

21 = eenentwintig (one-and-twenty)
32 = tweeëndertig (two-and-thirty)
45 = vijfenveertig (five-and-forty)
67 = zevenenzestig (seven-and-sixty)
99 = negenennegentig (nine-and-ninety)

Larger Numbers:

100 = honderd
200 = tweehonderd
1.000 = duizend (thousand)
10.000 = tienduizend
1.000.000 = een miljoen (million)

Ordinal Numbers (1st, 2nd, 3rd…)

Pattern: Add -de or -ste

1-19: add -de

1e = eerste (first) – IRREGULAR
2e = tweede (second)
3e = derde (third) – IRREGULAR
4e = vierde (fourth)
5e = vijfde (fifth)
6e = zesde (sixth)
7e = zevende (seventh)
8e = achtste (eighth) – IRREGULAR
9e = negende (ninth)
10e = tiende (tenth)

20+: add -ste

20e = twintigste
21e = eenentwintigste
100e = honderdste

2. Days, Months, Seasons

Days of the Week (Dagen van de Week)

maandag = Monday
dinsdag = Tuesday
woensdag = Wednesday
donderdag = Thursday
vrijdag = Friday
zaterdag = Saturday
zondag = Sunday

Useful phrases:

op maandag = on Monday
elke dinsdag = every Tuesday
volgende week = next week
deze week = this week
het weekend = the weekend

Months (Maanden)

januari = January
februari = February
maart = March
april = April
mei = May
juni = June
juli = July
augustus = August
september = September
oktober = October
november = November
december = December

Useful phrases:

in mei = in May
volgende maand = next month
deze maand = this month
vorige maand = last month

Seasons (Seizoenen)

de lente = spring (in spring = in de lente)
de zomer = summer (in summer = in de zomer)
de herfst = autumn/fall (in autumn = in de herfst)
de winter = winter (in winter = in de winter)

Dates

Pattern: [day] [number] [month] [year]

Examples:

maandag 5 maart 2026 (Monday, March 5, 2026)
15 juni (June 15)
Wat is de datum vandaag? (What’s the date today?)
Vandaag is het 4 maart. (Today is March 4.)

3. Time (Tijd)

Telling Time

Pattern: Het is [time]

O’clock:

Het is één uur. = It’s 1 o’clock.
Het is twee uur. = It’s 2 o’clock.
Het is twaalf uur. = It’s 12 o’clock / noon.

Half hours (Dutch uses “half to next hour”):

Het is half twee. = It’s 1:30 (literally “half [way to] two”)
Het is half zes. = It’s 5:30
Het is half negen. = It’s 8:30

Quarter hours:

Het is kwart over twee. = It’s 2:15 (quarter past two)
Het is kwart voor drie. = It’s 2:45 (quarter to three)

Minutes:

Het is vijf over drie. = It’s 3:05 (five past three)
Het is tien voor vier. = It’s 3:50 (ten to four)
Het is twintig over vijf. = It’s 5:20

Digital format (easier!):

Het is drie uur vijftien. = It’s 3:15
Het is zeven uur dertig. = It’s 7:30

Time Expressions

Parts of the day:

‘s ochtends / ‘s morgens = in the morning
‘s middags = in the afternoon
‘s avonds = in the evening
‘s nachts = at night

Other time words:

nu = now
straks = later (today)
zo = in a moment
meteen = right away
vandaag = today
morgen = tomorrow
gisteren = yesterday
overmorgen = day after tomorrow
eergisteren = day before yesterday

4. Colors (Kleuren)

wit = white
zwart = black
rood = red
blauw = blue
groen = green
geel = yellow
oranje = orange
paars = purple
roze = pink
bruin = brown
grijs = gray

Using colors with nouns:

een rode auto (a red car) – with adjective ending
de blauwe trui (the blue sweater)
een wit huis (a white house) – het-word with “een”

5. Family & Relationships (Familie & Relaties)

Immediate Family

de vader = father
de moeder = mother
de ouders = parents
de zoon = son
de dochter = daughter
de kinderen = children
de broer = brother
de zus = sister
de man = husband
de vrouw = wife
de partner = partner

Extended Family

de opa / grootvader = grandfather
de oma / grootmoeder = grandmother
de grootouders = grandparents
de kleinzoon = grandson
de kleindochter = granddaughter
de oom = uncle
de tante = aunt
de neef = nephew / male cousin
de nicht = niece / female cousin

Relationships

getrouwd = married
gescheiden = divorced
alleenstaand = single
samenwonen = living together
de vriend = friend (male) / boyfriend
de vriendin = friend (female) / girlfriend

Useful phrases:

Ik ben getrouwd. = I’m married.
Heb je kinderen? = Do you have children?
Ik heb twee kinderen. = I have two children.
Mijn broer woont in Amsterdam. = My brother lives in Amsterdam.

6. Body & Health (Lichaam & Gezondheid)

Body Parts

het hoofd = head
het haar = hair
het oog = eye (plural: de ogen)
de neus = nose
de mond = mouth
het oor = ear (plural: de oren)
de tand = tooth (plural: de tanden)
de arm = arm
de hand = hand
de vinger = finger
het been = leg
de voet = foot
de rug = back
de buik = belly/stomach
het hart = heart

Health & Illness

Common ailments:

ziek = sick
moe = tired
gezond = healthy
de hoofdpijn = headache
de buikpijn = stomachache
de kiespijn = toothache
de koorts = fever
de verkoudheid = cold
de griep = flu
de hoest = cough
pijn = pain

Useful phrases:

Ik ben ziek. = I’m sick.
Ik heb hoofdpijn. = I have a headache.
Ik heb koorts. = I have a fever.
Ik voel me niet goed. = I don’t feel well.
Ik moet naar de dokter. = I need to go to the doctor.

Medical Professionals

de dokter / de arts = doctor
de tandarts = dentist
de specialist = specialist
de verpleegkundige = nurse
de apotheek = pharmacy
het ziekenhuis = hospital
de huisarts = GP (general practitioner)

7. Food & Drink (Eten & Drinken)

Meals

het ontbijt = breakfast
de lunch = lunch
het avondeten / diner = dinner
ontbijten = to have breakfast
lunchen = to have lunch

Common Foods

Basics:

het brood = bread
de boter = butter
de kaas = cheese
de ham = ham
het ei = egg (plural: eieren)
de melk = milk
de suiker = sugar
het zout = salt
de peper = pepper

Fruits (het fruit):

de appel = apple
de banaan = banana
de sinaasappel = orange
de peer = pear
de aardbei = strawberry

Vegetables (de groente):

de tomaat = tomato
de ui = onion
de wortel = carrot
de aardappel = potato
de sla = lettuce

Meat (het vlees):

de kip = chicken
het varkensvlees = pork
het rundvlees = beef
de vis = fish

Drinks (Dranken)

het water = water
de koffie = coffee
de thee = tea
het sap = juice
de wijn = wine
het bier = beer
de melk = milk
de frisdrank = soft drink

Useful phrases:

Ik heb honger. = I’m hungry.
Ik heb dorst. = I’m thirsty.
Smakelijk! / Eet smakelijk! = Enjoy your meal!
Wat wil je drinken? = What do you want to drink?
Ik wil graag… = I would like…

8. Shopping & Money (Winkelen & Geld)

Shops

de winkel = shop
de supermarkt = supermarket
de bakker = bakery
de slager = butcher
de apotheek = pharmacy
de kledingwinkel = clothing store
de markt = market
het warenhuis = department store

Shopping Phrases

Asking:

Hoeveel kost dit? = How much does this cost?
Heeft u…? = Do you have…?
Waar kan ik… vinden? = Where can I find…?
Ik zoek… = I’m looking for…

Buying:

Ik wil graag… = I would like…
Mag ik dit passen? = May I try this on?
Ik neem het. = I’ll take it.
Kan ik pinnen? = Can I pay by card?

Money

het geld = money
de euro = euro
de cent = cent
betalen = to pay
pinnen = to pay by card
contant = cash
de prijs = price
duur = expensive
goedkoop = cheap
korting = discount

Phrases:

Dat is 5 euro en 50 cent. = That’s 5 euros and 50 cents.
Kan ik contant betalen? = Can I pay cash?
Heeft u korting? = Do you have a discount?

9. Housing & Rooms (Wonen & Kamers)

Types of Housing

het huis = house
het appartement = apartment
de flat = flat/apartment building
de studio = studio apartment
de kamer = room
de woning = dwelling/home

Rooms

de woonkamer = living room
de keuken = kitchen
de slaapkamer = bedroom
de badkamer = bathroom
het toilet / de wc = toilet
de hal = hallway
de tuin = garden
het balkon = balcony
de garage = garage
de kelder = basement
de zolder = attic

Furniture & Items

de tafel = table
de stoel = chair
de bank = couch/sofa
het bed = bed
de kast = closet/cupboard
de lamp = lamp
de koelkast = refrigerator
het fornuis = stove
de wasmachine = washing machine
de televisie = television

Useful phrases:

Ik woon in een appartement. = I live in an apartment.
Mijn huis heeft drie slaapkamers. = My house has three bedrooms.
Ik huur een kamer. = I rent a room.

10. Work & Education (Werk & Onderwijs)

Jobs (Beroepen)

de leraar / lerares = teacher (male/female)
de dokter = doctor
de verpleegkundige = nurse
de verkoper = salesperson
de kok = cook/chef
de schoonmaker = cleaner
de chauffeur = driver
de monteur = mechanic
de secretaresse = secretary
de politieagent = police officer
werkloos = unemployed

Phrases:

Wat doe je voor werk? = What do you do for work?
Ik ben leraar. = I’m a teacher.
Ik werk bij… = I work at…
Ik werk als… = I work as…

Workplace

het kantoor = office
de fabriek = factory
het ziekenhuis = hospital
de school = school
het restaurant = restaurant
de winkel = shop

Education

de school = school
de universiteit = university
de cursus = course
de les = lesson/class
de student = student
de leraar = teacher
studeren = to study
leren = to learn

11. Transportation (Vervoer)

Vehicles

de auto = car
de fiets = bicycle
de trein = train
de bus = bus
de tram = tram
de metro = metro
het vliegtuig = airplane
de scooter = scooter

Transportation Verbs

rijden = to drive/ride
fietsen = to cycle
lopen = to walk
vliegen = to fly
reizen = to travel

Places & Directions

het station = train station
de bushalte = bus stop
het vliegveld = airport
de weg = road
de straat = street
links = left
rechts = right
rechtdoor = straight ahead

Useful phrases:

Hoe kom ik bij…? = How do I get to…?
Ik ga met de fiets. = I go by bicycle.
Waar is het station? = Where is the station?
Ga rechtdoor. = Go straight ahead.

12. Essential Conversation Phrases

Greetings

Hallo! = Hello!
Goedemorgen! = Good morning!
Goedemiddag! = Good afternoon!
Goedenavond! = Good evening!
Dag! = Hello! / Bye!
Doei! = Bye! (informal)
Tot ziens! = Goodbye!
Hoe gaat het? = How are you?
Goed, dank je. En met jou? = Good, thanks. And you?

Polite Expressions

Alstublieft / Alsjeblieft = Please / Here you are
Dank u wel / Dank je wel = Thank you
Graag gedaan = You’re welcome
Sorry / Excuseer = Sorry / Excuse me
Pardon = Pardon / Excuse me
Geen probleem = No problem

Basic Questions

Hoe heet je? = What’s your name?
Ik heet… = My name is…
Waar woon je? = Where do you live?
Waar kom je vandaan? = Where are you from?
Hoeveel jaar ben je? = How old are you?
Spreek je Nederlands? = Do you speak Dutch?
Wat is dit? = What is this?
Waarom? = Why?
Wanneer? = When?

Useful Survival Phrases

Ik begrijp het niet. = I don’t understand.
Kunt u dat herhalen? = Can you repeat that?
Spreek langzamer, alstublieft. = Speak slower, please.
Wat betekent…? = What does… mean?
Hoe zeg je… in het Nederlands? = How do you say… in Dutch?
Ik spreek een beetje Nederlands. = I speak a little Dutch.
Spreekt u Engels? = Do you speak English?

Phone Conversations

Met [name]. = Speaking. / This is [name].
Kan ik… spreken? = Can I speak to…?
Een momentje, alstublieft. = One moment, please.
Hij/Zij is er niet. = He/She is not here.
Kan ik een boodschap doorgeven? = Can I take a message?

Making Appointments

Ik wil graag een afspraak maken. = I’d like to make an appointment.
Wanneer kan ik komen? = When can I come?
Is maandag goed? = Is Monday good?
Hoe laat? = What time?
Om 10 uur. = At 10 o’clock.

13. Common Verbs for A2

Essential Action Verbs

zijn = to be
hebben = to have
doen = to do
gaan = to go
komen = to come
maken = to make
zien = to see
horen = to hear
zeggen = to say
denken = to think
weten = to know (facts)
kennen = to know (people/places)
worden = to become
blijven = to stay
werken = to work
wonen = to live
spreken = to speak
praten = to talk
leren = to learn
studeren = to study
eten = to eat
drinken = to drink
kopen = to buy
verkopen = to sell
vinden = to find / to think
zoeken = to search
geven = to give
nemen = to take
brengen = to bring
beginnen = to begin
stoppen = to stop

14. Adjectives (Bijvoeglijke Naamwoorden)

Descriptive Adjectives

Size:

groot = big
klein = small
lang = long / tall
kort = short

Quality:

goed = good
slecht = bad
mooi = beautiful
lelijk = ugly
nieuw = new
oud = old
schoon = clean
vies / vuil = dirty

Feelings:

blij = happy
verdrietig = sad
boos = angry
bang = scared
moe = tired

Temperature:

warm = warm
koud = cold
heet = hot

Speed:

snel = fast
langzaam = slow

Difficulty:

makkelijk / gemakkelijk = easy
moeilijk = difficult

Practice Tips for Exam Day

Speaking Exam:

Use these phrases to buy time: “Eh…”, “Nou…”, “Laat me denken…”
If you don’t know a word, describe it: “Het is een ding voor…” (It’s a thing for…)
Don’t be afraid to ask: “Kunt u dat herhalen?” (Can you repeat that?)

Listening Exam:

Focus on key words, not every word
Use context to guess meaning
Pay attention to tone and emphasis

Reading Exam:

Read questions first, then text
Look for cognates (similar words to English)
Don’t panic about unknown words—context helps

Writing Exam:

Keep sentences simple and correct
Check: subject-verb agreement, word order, spelling
Use vocabulary you know well

Final Reminders

✓ Practice regularly – even 15 minutes daily helps

✓ Learn words in context – not just individual words

✓ Don’t worry about perfection – communication is the goal

✓ Be patient – language learning takes time

Violetta Bonenkamp

Violetta Bonenkamp, also known as Mean CEO, is an experienced startup founder with an impressive educational background including an MBA and four other higher education degrees. She has over 20 years of work experience across multiple countries, including 5 years as a solopreneur and serial entrepreneur. Throughout her startup experience she has applied for multiple startup grants at the EU level, in the Netherlands and Malta, and her startups received quite a few of those. She’s been living, studying and working in many countries around the globe and her extensive multicultural experience has influenced her immensely.