Greetings in Dutch Language: The Complete Native Guide

Did you know that in the Netherlands you might greet a stranger with a firm handshake, your grandmother with three cheek kisses, and your colleague with just a casual Hoi? Learning greetings in Dutch language isn’t only about memorizing words like Hallo or Goedemorgen—it’s about understanding when, how, and with whom to use them. From time-of-day greetings to regional quirks, from phone etiquette to business formality, Dutch greetings carry subtle rules that can make you sound like a local—or stand out as a tourist.

“The limits of my language mean the limits of my world.” — Ludwig Wittgenstein

This expanded guide covers every angle: the essential phrases, etiquette, regional flavor, pronunciation, and practice drills. By the end, you’ll have not just a word list but a real cultural toolkit.

Table of Contents

Quick answer: the most common greetings in Dutch language

The three most versatile greetings:

• Hallo → Neutral “hello.” Works with strangers, colleagues, or friends.¹
• Hoi → Casual “hi.” Very common in everyday speech.²
• Dag → Literally “day.” Used as both “hello” and “goodbye.”³

These core forms (plus Doei/Doeg for goodbye) are widely used across the Netherlands and Flanders.⁴

Formal vs informal greetings in Dutch language

Dutch society is known for being egalitarian and informal. But greetings still reflect context.

• Formal: Used in business, with elders, or strangers.
  • Goedemiddag, meneer Janssen. Hoe gaat het met u?
• Informal: Used with friends, family, and colleagues you know well.
  • Hoi, Anna! Alles goed met je?

Example Dialogue

Office setting (first meeting)

• You: Goedemorgen, mevrouw de Vries. Aangenaam kennis te maken.
• Response: Goedemorgen. Het is een plezier u te ontmoeten.

With friends

• You: Hoi, Tom! Alles goed?
• Response: Ja hoor, prima! En met jou?

💡 Tip: If someone says “zeg maar je” (“please use je with me”), it’s your signal to switch to informal. Style guides advise starting formal (u) and mirroring the other party’s tone in business and official contexts.⁵⁶

Time-of-day greetings: goedemorgen, goedemiddag, goedenavond

Note: In Flanders you’ll often hear goeiemorgen/goeiemiddag as colloquial variants. Both forms and their contexts are documented in official language advice.⁷⁸

Casual, friendly ways to say hi

Dutch is an informal culture, and casual greetings are everywhere.

• Hoi — by far the most used.²
• Hey / Hé — relaxed; common among younger speakers.
• Hoi hoi — cheerful repetition, often when entering a room.
• Yo — borrowed slang, increasingly popular.

How to ask “How are you?” in Dutch

Greeting exchanges almost always include a quick “how are you?”

• Hoe gaat het (met je/u)? → “How are you?” (formal/informal).
• Alles goed? → “Everything okay?” Very common.
• Hoe is het? → “How is it?” Casual.

Natural Replies

• Goed, dank je. En met jou? — Good, thanks. And you?
• Prima! — Great.
• Gaat wel. — So-so.
• Niet slecht. — Not bad.

Goodbyes in Dutch: dag, doei, tot ziens

Saying farewell has even more variety:

• Dag — polite, versatile (hello and goodbye).³
• Doei / Doeg — friendly “bye.”⁴
• Tot ziens — formal “see you again.”⁹
• Tot straks — “see you soon (same day).”
• Tot later — “see you later (same day or later).”
• Tot morgen — “see you tomorrow.”

Phone etiquette: how Dutch speakers answer calls

Dutch phone culture is specific:

• Met + name is the default:
  • Hoi, met Sophie. → “Hi, Sophie speaking.”
• Formal option:
  • Hallo, u spreekt met meneer de Boer. → “Hello, you are speaking with Mr. de Boer.”

Example Call

You: Goedemiddag, met Anna van Avatalks.
Other: Goedemiddag, met Erik. Waarmee kan ik u helpen?

Regional & Flemish variants you’ll actually hear

Dutch has regional spice. Recognizing these makes you stand out:

Cultural etiquette: handshakes, three cheek kisses

Greetings aren’t only words—they’re gestures:

• Handshake → firm, with eye contact, in business or first meetings (common advice in official business culture guides).⁶
• Three cheek kisses → right–left–right, common at birthdays or family gatherings (not business).
• Eye contact → considered polite and direct.

Pronunciation tips for greetings

Dutch sounds can be tricky:

Mini phrasebank by situation

At a shop

• You: Goedemiddag!
• Clerk: Goedemiddag. Waarmee kan ik u helpen?

At a café

• You: Hoi! Mag ik een cappuccino, alstublieft?
• Waiter: Natuurlijk, komt eraan.

Meeting a neighbor

• You: Dag, alles goed?
• Neighbor: Ja hoor, lekker weertje hè?

At a party

• You: (Handshake or three kisses) Gefeliciteerd! — common birthday greeting in social settings.

Business & professional greetings

Formality counts in business:

• Meetings: Goedemorgen, meneer Janssen.
• Emails:
  • Geachte heer de Vries (very formal).
  • Beste Marieke (neutral, polite).

Official style guidance covers Beste/Geachte conventions; government business portals reinforce handshake/directness norms and advise using u until invited to switch.¹⁰⁵⁶

Job Interview Example

• Interviewer: Goedemiddag, welkom.
• Candidate: Goedemiddag. Fijn u te ontmoeten.

Common mistakes with Dutch greetings

1. Using “Goedenacht” as hello — it’s a bedtime farewell; use Goedenavond to start evening conversations.
2. Being too informal too soon — don’t say Hoi to a hiring manager; start with time-of-day + u.⁵⁶
3. Forgetting met + name on the phone — sounds incomplete to Dutch ears.
4. Initiating kisses with strangers — awkward; offer a handshake; follow the other person’s lead in social contexts.
5. Under-pronouncing the guttural g/ch — practice to avoid making words sound off to natives.

Practice section: quick drills

5-minute daily routine:

1. Morning drill: Say Goedemorgen five times with guttural g/ch.
2. Phone drill: Practice Hoi, met [name] and the formal Hallo, u spreekt met [name].
3. Role-play: Walk into a shop—say Goedemiddag and ask for an item.
4. Regional ear-training: Listen for moi (north/east) and goeiemorgen (Flanders).

Dutch Greetings: FAQ (People Also Ask)

What is “hello” in Dutch?
“Hallo” is the standard neutral hello; “Hoi” is a casual hi.¹²

What is the most common Dutch greeting?
Hoi in casual settings; Hallo in neutral ones.²¹

How do you greet someone in Dutch?
Use Hallo/Hoi informally, or a time-of-day greeting (Goedemorgen, Goedemiddag, Goedenavond) in polite or first-meeting contexts.⁷⁸

What’s the difference between Hallo and Hoi?
Hoi feels friendlier and more casual; Hallo is neutral and safe anywhere.²¹

How do you say good morning / afternoon / evening in Dutch?
Goedemorgen, Goedemiddag, Goedenavond—used roughly morning, noon-to-late afternoon, and evening.⁷

When does Goedemiddag start?
Typically around 12:00 (noon); many treat it as noon-to-early evening.⁷

Do Dutch people say good night as a greeting?
No. Welterusten/Goedenacht are farewells at bedtime; start evening conversations with Goedenavond.

How do you say goodbye in Dutch?
Common options: Doei/Doeg (casual), Dag (also used as hello), Tot ziens (more formal).⁴³⁹

How do you say “How are you?” in Dutch (and reply)?
Hoe gaat het? / Alles goed? Replies include Goed, dank je, Prima, Gaat wel.

What’s the formal way to greet in Dutch (u vs je/jij)?
Start with u in business or with elders; switch to je/jij if invited.⁵⁶

How do Dutch people answer the phone?
They usually announce themselves: Met + name (formal: U spreekt met + name).

What does Goedendag mean and when do you use it?
Goedendag = “good day,” a polite general greeting for daytime.¹¹

What are common Flemish greeting variants?
You’ll hear goeiemorgen / goeiemiddag / goeienavond in Flanders.⁸

How do you pronounce the Dutch “g/ch” in greetings?
It’s a guttural sound produced at the back of the mouth; practice with words like Goedemorgen.

How do you pronounce the Dutch “g/ch” in greetings?
It’s a guttural fricative produced at the back of the mouth (often written /ɣ/ or /x/). Start with a gentle “h” in your throat and roughen it slightly, keeping the tongue low and back. Common practice words: Goedemorgen, Goedenavond, dag.

• Tip 1: Whisper it first (voiceless), then add a little voice.
• Tip 2: Keep the airflow continuous—don’t “stop” the sound.
• Tip 3: Pair it with vowels you know: goe- in goed sounds like “goo-” with the throat sound at the start.

Practice it now — free:
Try Avatalks to hear, slow down, and shadow native audio for g/ch. You’ll get mic feedback on whether your fricative is voiced/voiceless and where it sits in the word (e.g., Goedemorgen).
👉 Train “g/ch” on Avatalks — native clips, slow-motion slider, waveform view, and instant pronunciation checks.

What are regional greetings like moi or goei’n dag?
Moi (Groningen/Drenthe), goei’n dag (Twente), euuuj (Brabant) are friendly regional forms.

Are three cheek kisses still common in the Netherlands?
Yes, among friends/family (often at birthdays). In business, prefer a handshake.⁶

Final thoughts

Mastering greetings in Dutch language is more than memorizing phrases. It’s learning when, how, and with whom to use them. Whether you’re in a business meeting, grabbing coffee, or visiting family, the right greeting sets the tone.

Use this guide to practice, notice local customs, and you’ll connect more naturally with Dutch speakers. A simple Hoi can open doors—and a well-timed Goedemiddag shows cultural awareness that natives value.

References