Compliments

1. Wat een prachtige stad!

   What a beautiful city!

   Usage

   Complimenting the beauty of a Dutch city

   Grammar Note

   "Wat een + adjective + noun" creates an exclamation. E.g. "Wat een mooi land!" (What a beautiful country!)

2. U spreekt uitstekend Engels

   You speak excellent English

   Usage

   Complimenting someone's excellent language skills

   Grammar Note

   "Uitstekend" literally means "sticking out" → excellent. "Je spreekt" is the informal version

3. Het eten hier is heerlijk

   The food here is delicious

   Usage

   Complimenting the food at a restaurant or someone's cooking

   Grammar Note

   "Eten" is both the verb "to eat" and the noun "food". "Heel erg lekker!" means very tasty!

4. U bent erg vriendelijk

   You are very kind

   Usage

   Expressing appreciation for someone's kindness

   Grammar Note

   "Vriendelijk" derives from "vriend" (friend). "Je bent erg aardig" is an informal equivalent

5. Wat een geweldig land!

   What a wonderful country!

   Usage

   Praising the Netherlands as a whole

   Grammar Note

   "Geweldig" is also used as an exclamation on its own ("Geweldig!" = Amazing!) very versatile

6. Jullie zijn erg gastvrij

   You are all very hospitable

   Usage

   Complimenting the hospitality of Dutch people

   Grammar Note

   "Gastvrij" = gast (guest) + vrij (free). Literally "open/free toward guests" = hospitable

7. Dat hebt u heel goed gedaan

   You did that very well

   Usage

   Complimenting someone's performance or work

   Grammar Note

   "Gedaan" is the past participle of "doen" (to do). "Goed gedaan!" alone is a common praise

8. De architectuur hier is indrukwekkend

   The architecture here is impressive

   Usage

   Admiring the architecture of Dutch cities and canal houses

   Grammar Note

   "Indrukwekkend" = indruk (impression) + wekkend (arousing). A typical long Dutch compound

9. Uw service is uitstekend

   Your service is excellent

   Usage

   Praising the service at a hotel or restaurant

   Grammar Note

   "Uw" is the formal possessive of "u". Use "jouw" for informal. "Service" is borrowed from English

10. Ik vind Nederland geweldig!

    I think the Netherlands is wonderful!

    Usage

    Expressing overall admiration for the Netherlands

    Grammar Note

    "Vinden" expresses an opinion or evaluation. "Ik hou van Nederland" means I love the Netherlands

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