A1: Greetings

1. What are greetings? (Wat zijn begroetingen?) 

Greetings are words or phrases we use to say hallo (hello) or tot ziens (goodbye). 

In Dutch, just like in English, you can greet someone in a formal (formeel) or informal (informeel) way.

Formal: At work, with strangers, or with older people. Informal: With friends, family, or people your own age.

2. Greetings during the day (Begroetingen overdag) 

The greeting you use often depends on the time of day,.

Goedemorgen (Good morning) When: Until 12:00.

Goedemiddag (Good afternoon) When: From 12:00 to 18:00.

Goedenavond (Good evening) When: After 18:00.

Hallo (Hello) Use: Always good (neutral).

Hoi (Hi) Use: Informal.

Dag (Hi / Bye) Use: Informal.

3. Saying goodbye (Tot ziens zeggen) 

Here are common ways to say goodbye:

Tot ziens (Goodbye) Use: Neutral / Formal.

Dag (Bye) Use: Informal.

Doei (Bye) Use: Informal.

Tot straks (See you later) Use: Later on the same day.

Tot morgen (See you tomorrow) Use: Very common.

Slaap lekker (Sleep well) Use: In the evening or before sleeping.

4. How are you? (Hoe gaat het?) 

When you greet someone, you can also ask how they are doing.

Hoe gaat het? (How are you? - Neutral) 

Hoe gaat het met je? (How are you? - Informal) 

Hoe gaat het met u? (How are you? - Formal)

Response: 

Goed, dank je. En met jou? (Good, thank you. And you? - Informal) Goed, dank u. En met u? (Good, thank you. And you? - Formal)

10 Example Sentences (10 voorbeeldzinnen) 

Practice with these sentences:

1. Goedemorgen, hoe gaat het? (Good morning, how are you?)

2. Hoi, alles goed? (Hi, is everything good?)

3. Hallo, ik ben Thomas. (Hello, I am Thomas.)

4. Goedemiddag, meneer Janssen. (Good afternoon, Mr. Janssen.)

5. Goedenavond, hoe was je dag? (Good evening, how was your day?)

6. Dag, tot morgen! (Bye, see you tomorrow!)

7. Doei, tot straks! (Bye, see you later!)

8. Slaap lekker! (Sleep well!)

9. Hoe gaat het met u? (How are you? - Formal)

10. Goed, dank je. En met jou? (Good, thank you. And you?)