Directions

1. Waar is de trein naar Amsterdam?

   Where is the train to Amsterdam?

   Usage

   Used at a train station to find the platform for the Amsterdam train

   Grammar Note

   "Naar ~" indicates destination. Also useful: "Waar is het perron voor ~?" (Where is the platform for ~?)

2. Hoe kom ik bij het Rijksmuseum?

   How do I get to the Rijksmuseum?

   Usage

   Used to ask for directions to Amsterdam's famous national museum

   Grammar Note

   "Hoe kom ik bij ~?" is the standard way to ask for directions. Also: "Hoe kom ik op ~?"

3. Linksaf en dan rechtdoor

   Turn left and then go straight

   Usage

   Used when giving or understanding directions

   Grammar Note

   Key direction words: "rechtsaf" (turn right), "linksaf" (turn left), "rechtdoor" (straight ahead)

4. Welke tram gaat naar de Dam?

   Which tram goes to Dam Square?

   Usage

   Used to find the correct tram to Dam Square, Amsterdam's central plaza

   Grammar Note

   Amsterdam trams are run by GVB. Use an OV-chipkaart (transit card) or buy a single-use ticket

5. Hoe ver is het lopend?

   How far is it on foot?

   Usage

   Asks about walking distance. Note: the Dutch often cycle rather than walk

   Grammar Note

   Swap "lopend" for transport: "met de fiets" (by bike), "met de metro" (by metro), "met de bus" (by bus)

6. Kunt u het op de kaart aanwijzen?

   Could you point it out on the map?

   Usage

   Used when verbal directions are hard to follow — asks someone to point on a map

   Grammar Note

   Very useful with a smartphone map. Also: "Kunt u het op mijn telefoon aanwijzen?" (point it on my phone?)

7. Ik zoek de Keizersgracht

   I'm looking for the Keizersgracht canal

   Usage

   Used to find the famous Keizersgracht canal street in Amsterdam

   Grammar Note

   Amsterdam has three main canals: Herengracht (Lords), Keizersgracht (Emperor), Prinsengracht (Prince)

8. Waar is de dichtstbijzijnde metrohalte?

   Where is the nearest metro station?

   Usage

   Used to find the nearest metro station. Amsterdam has 5 metro lines

   Grammar Note

   "Dichtstbijzijnde" (nearest) is long but essential. Also: "bushalte" (bus stop), "tramhalte" (tram stop)

9. Is dit de goede richting naar Delft?

   Is this the right direction to Delft?

   Usage

   Used to confirm you are heading the right way to Delft, famous for pottery and canals

   Grammar Note

   "Is dit de goede ~?" (Is this the right ~?) works for transport too: "Is dit de goede trein naar ~?"

10. Mag ik het fietspad gebruiken?

    May I use the bike path?

    Usage

    Bike paths (fietspaden) in the Netherlands are often off-limits to pedestrians — this is an important safety phrase

    Grammar Note

    Red brick surfaces often indicate a fietspad (bike lane). Pedestrians must use the "voetpad" (footpath) to avoid collisions

11. rechts

    Right

    Usage

    Point to this in a taxi or on the street to indicate right; "rechtsaf" means turn right

    Grammar Note

    "Rechts" (right) and "rechtdoor" (straight on) start alike, so show the whole card

12. links

    Left

    Usage

    Point to this to indicate left; "linksaf" means turn left

13. rechtdoor

    Straight ahead

    Usage

    Point to this to say carry straight on; readable at a glance while driving

    Grammar Note

    A different word from "rechts" (right); if confused, follow up with "niet rechts, rechtdoor"

14. terug

    Back

    Usage

    Point to this to ask to go back the way you came; "terugrijden" means drive back

15. Stop!

    Usage

    Show this to have the driver stop here; politely, "Hier stoppen, alstublieft"

    Grammar Note

    "Stop!" works as-is in Dutch, and road signs read STOP

16. het noorden

    North

    Usage

    Point to this to confirm a compass direction over a map; road signs shorten it to "noord"

    Grammar Note

    A "het" word; "northwards" is "naar het noorden"

17. het zuiden

    South

    Usage

    Point to this to confirm a compass direction; road signs read "zuid"

    Grammar Note

    A "het" word; "southwards" is "naar het zuiden"

18. het oosten

    East

    Usage

    Point to this to confirm a compass direction; road signs read "oost"

    Grammar Note

    A "het" word; "eastwards" is "naar het oosten"

19. het westen

    West

    Usage

    Point to this to confirm a compass direction; road signs read "west"

    Grammar Note

    A "het" word; "westwards" is "naar het westen"

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