Airport & Customs

1. Toont u uw paspoort alstublieft

   Please show your passport

   Usage

   Standard phrase used by immigration officers

   Grammar Note

   Dutch is a V2 language: the finite verb takes second position in main clauses and goes to the end in subordinate clauses. In a polite request like this the verb is fronted and swaps places with the subject "u"

2. Wat is het doel van uw bezoek?

   What is the purpose of your visit?

   Usage

   Standard immigration question

   Grammar Note

   "Wat is" = what is

3. Hoeveel nachten bent u van plan te blijven?

   How many nights are you planning to stay?

   Usage

   Commonly asked at immigration

   Grammar Note

   "Hoeveel" = how many

4. Heeft u iets aan te geven?

   Do you have anything to declare?

   Usage

   Asked at customs

   Grammar Note

   "Heeft u" = do you have

5. Mijn bagage is nog niet aangekomen

   My luggage hasn't arrived

   Usage

   Tell baggage claim staff

   Grammar Note

   "Nog niet" = not yet

6. Dit is handbagage

   This is carry-on luggage

   Usage

   Tell airline staff at check-in or boarding gate

   Grammar Note

   "Hand" = hand

7. Ik ben in transit

   I'm in transit

   Usage

   Used at transit counters or immigration

   Grammar Note

   "In" = in

8. Waar is de gate?

   Where is the gate?

   Usage

   Ask when looking for your boarding gate

   Grammar Note

   "Waar" = where

9. Wanneer begint het instappen?

   When does boarding begin?

   Usage

   Ask while waiting at the boarding gate. Schiphol and KLM also say "instappen" / "instaptijd" in their Dutch announcements

   Grammar Note

   wanneer means when. het instappen is the nominalised infinitive of instappen. English-derived boarden also exists, but instappen is the everyday word for planes and trains.

10. Waar is de duty-free winkel?

    Where is the duty-free shop?

    Usage

    Ask after clearing security

    Grammar Note

    The English term is used

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