Transportation

10 phrases · Dutch with romanization, English and audio

  1. Waar is het station?

    Where is the train station?

    Usage

    Asking for directions to the train station

    Grammar Note

    "Station" is neuter, so "het" is used. Bus stop: de bushalte, airport: de luchthaven

  2. Een kaartje naar Amsterdam, alstublieft

    A ticket to Amsterdam, please

    Usage

    Buying a train or bus ticket to a destination

    Grammar Note

    "Kaartje" is the diminutive of "kaart". Say "twee kaartjes" for two tickets

  3. Van welk spoor vertrekt de trein?

    Which platform does the train depart from?

    Usage

    Confirming which platform the train departs from

    Grammar Note

    In the Netherlands, "spoor" (track) is the standard way to ask for the platform number, with the preposition "van" (Van welk spoor …). "Perron" is the physical platform, borrowed from French (Belgium uses "perron" for the number)

  4. Hoe laat vertrekt de bus?

    What time does the bus depart?

    Usage

    Asking about departure time for a bus or train

    Grammar Note

    "Hoe laat" is the standard phrase for time. "Hoe laat is het?" means "What time is it?"

  5. Ik wil een OV-chipkaart kopen

    I want to buy an OV-chipcard

    Usage

    Purchasing the Dutch public transit contactless card used on trains, trams, and buses

    Grammar Note

    OV stands for Openbaar Vervoer (public transport). It is the Dutch transit card system

  6. Kunt u mij afzetten bij het hotel?

    Can you drop me off at the hotel?

    Usage

    Asking a taxi or ride-share driver to drop you off at the hotel

    Grammar Note

    "Afzetten" is a separable verb. "Kunt u" is formal; "Kun je" is casual

  7. Is de fiets te huur?

    Is the bicycle available for rent?

    Usage

    In the Netherlands, cycling is essential. Asking to rent a bicycle

    Grammar Note

    "Fietsen" is the plural. "Een fiets huren" means to rent a bike (action-focused phrasing)

  8. Rijdt deze tram naar het centrum?

    Does this tram go to the city center?

    Usage

    Confirming the tram's destination in Amsterdam or other Dutch cities

    Grammar Note

    "Rijden" means to drive or travel (for vehicles). "Deze" is the demonstrative adjective "this"

  9. Hoeveel kost een taxi naar het vliegveld?

    How much does a taxi to the airport cost?

    Usage

    Asking for the taxi fare to the airport before getting in

    Grammar Note

    "Vliegveld" combines "vliegen" (to fly) and "veld" (field). "Luchthaven" (air-haven) is also used

  10. Ik heb mijn trein gemist

    I missed my train

    Usage

    Telling station staff or information desk that you missed your train

    Grammar Note

    "Gemist" is the past participle of "missen". Dutch perfect tense uses "hebben" + past participle

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