Shopping in the Netherlands can be a delightful experience, especially if you equip yourself with some basic Dutch vocabulary related to shopping. Here’s a list of essential words and phrases that can help you navigate through Dutch stores and markets, making your shopping experience smoother and more engaging.
Winkel – Shop or Store.
Ik ga naar de winkel om brood te kopen.
This is a general term used for any place that sells goods or services. Whether it’s a grocery store or a clothing outlet, ‘winkel’ is the go-to word to denote a shop.
Markt – Market.
Op zaterdag bezoeken we altijd de lokale markt.
This refers to a marketplace where goods are sold, often outdoors. Markets can be a great place to find fresh food and local products.
Kopen – To buy.
Ik wil deze schoenen kopen.
This verb is crucial for any shopping experience. It’s what you do when you exchange money for goods.
Verkopen – To sell.
De man verkoopt fruit en groenten.
The counterpart to ‘kopen’, this verb is used when someone is offering goods in exchange for money.
Prijs – Price.
Wat is de prijs van deze jas?
Knowing how to ask about the price of an item is fundamental. This word is what you’ll need to know to inquire about how much something costs.
Kassa – Cash register or checkout.
U kunt betalen bij de kassa.
This is where you pay for your items before leaving the store. It’s a good word to know to find out where you need to go to complete your purchase.
Betalen – To pay.
Ik moet voor de boodschappen betalen.
After you’ve done all your shopping, you’ll need to use this verb to settle your bill.
Bonnetje – Receipt.
Kan ik het bonnetje krijgen, alstublieft?
Always a good idea to ask for this after making a purchase, in case you need to return or exchange the item later.
Aanbieding – Offer or sale.
Deze trui is in de aanbieding.
Who doesn’t love a good sale? This word is used to describe items that are being sold at a discounted rate.
Korting – Discount.
Hoeveel korting krijg ik op dit artikel?
Similar to ‘aanbieding’, but this specifically refers to the amount by which the price is reduced.
Winkelwagen – Shopping cart.
Kun je een winkelwagen voor mij pakken?
This is the cart you use in a store to hold all the items you intend to buy.
Mandje – Basket.
Ik heb alleen een mandje nodig, omdat ik maar een paar dingen koop.
A smaller option compared to a shopping cart, used for carrying fewer items.
Passen – To try on.
Ik wil deze broek passen om te zien of hij past.
An essential verb to know, especially if you’re shopping for clothes and need to check the fit before purchasing.
Paskamer – Fitting room.
Waar zijn de paskamers?
This is the place where you try on clothes in a store.
Ruilen – To exchange.
Kan ik deze trui ruilen voor een andere maat?
If something you’ve bought isn’t quite right, this verb will come in handy to replace it with something else.
Terugbrengen – To return.
Ik moet dit product terugbrengen omdat het kapot is.
In case you need to return an item to the store, this is the verb to use.
Uitverkoop – Clearance sale.
Tijdens de uitverkoop zijn er veel producten sterk afgeprijsd.
This term is used for sales that usually clear out seasonal stock at reduced prices.
Klantenservice – Customer service.
U kunt uw vraag stellen bij de klantenservice.
This is where you go or call if you have any questions or issues related to your shopping or services.
Open – Open.
De winkel is open van maandag tot vrijdag.
It’s important to know when stores are open, so you don’t miss out on your shopping time.
Gesloten – Closed.
Op zondag is de winkel gesloten.
Conversely, knowing when something is closed will save you a wasted trip.
Equipping yourself with these Dutch shopping vocabulary words will not only enhance your shopping experience but also help you integrate more into Dutch culture. Happy shopping!
