Learning DUTCH vs FLEMISH
Why We Can Teach Both at Dutch4Beginners
If you are learning Dutch because you are planning to move to Belgium, have a Flemish partner, or simply love the language, you have probably wondered: what is the difference between Netherlands Dutch and Belgian Dutch (Flemish)?
The great news is that if you want to learn Flemish, you are still learning Dutch!
At Dutch 4 Beginners, we can help you learn Dutch whether your goal is to communicate in the Netherlands or in Flanders, the Dutch-speaking part of Belgium.
But are Dutch and Flemish actually the same?
Well... yes and no!
DUTCH AND FLEMISH: the same language, different flavours
The official language in both the Netherlands and Flanders is Dutch. I often compare the difference like British English vs American English. The grammar, spelling and basic vocabulary are largely the same but there are differences. A Dutch speaker from Amsterdam can have a conversation with someone from Antwerp without needing a translator!
However, there are noticeable differences in pronunciation, vocabulary, expressions and regional accents. The language is essentially the same, but you will often notice where someone comes from based on their accent and the words they use.
pronounciation
Belgian Dutch often sounds softer and has different regional accents.
vocabulary
Some everyday words are different.
expressions
You may encounter words and phrases that aren't commonly used in the Netherlands.
regional variation
Someone from Antwerp may sound quite different from someone from Bruges, Ghent or Limburg.
a few examples
Some words are completely different, while others simply have a different pronunciation depending on where they are used.
Flemish accents also vary considerably across Belgium. Someone from Antwerp does not necessarily sound the same as someone from West Flanders or Limburg.
The Flemish spoken in cities like Antwerpen, Brugge and Ghent tends to be closer to southern Dutch. Belgian Dutch can often sound softer, and you will notice that speakers in Belgium generally don't have the hard G that you hear in much of the Netherlands.
We will still teach you the more difficult version, but you can then use the softer one when you are in Belgium.
This is something we can address in our Dutch 4 Beginners language materials when we have students who want to learn Dutch from a Flemish perspective. Even when this isn't specifically requested, we do include these differences in our lesson material because they are interesting and useful to know.
English |
Netherlands |
Flanders |
| Bank card | pinpas | bankkaart |
| To cycle | fietsen | fietsen |
| Tasty | lekker | lekker |
| Mobile phone | mobiele telefoon | gsm |
| To clean | schoonmaken | kuisen |
| Fun | leuk | plezant |
| In a bit | zometeen | straks / sebiet |
even telling the time can be different!
In Flanders, people use words such as voormiddag and namiddag, something the Dutch don't normally do. But don't worry — we cover this too!
Our teaching materials point out these kinds of differences so that you aren't left wondering why someone has just told you to arrive at a time that seems completely different from what you learned in your Dutch lesson.
We explain these and other differences in our course materials, so you can recognise them when you come across them.
Can i learn flemish dutch with Dutch4Beginners? ABSOLUTELY!
Our lessons give you a solid foundation in Dutch that works across the Dutch-speaking world. Because Flemish is a variety of Dutch rather than a completely separate language, the skills you learn with us are directly useful in Flanders too.
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you don't have to learn an entirely different language, you simply need to understand the Belgian flavour of Dutch.
You can easily learn Dutch while becoming familiar with the language they use.
Have a Flemish partner?
moving to belgium?
Already hearing Flemish?
We'll help you recognise the vocabulary and expressions that may be unfamiliar.
don't panic!
If you suddenly hear gij, a GSM, someone talking about kuisen, or an expression you've never heard before, you haven't learned the wrong language. You've simply discovered Flemish.
And at Dutch4Beginners, we've got that covered too!