How Being More Direct Can Help You Improve Your Dutch Fast

Have you been learning Dutch for a while, and does it still take a lot of effort to speak it? First of all, this is completely normal. No reason to worry, it happens to most people. But if you like to speak Dutch for real, then there is something else that you need to do. It is not something that you need to study, and it is not something that language schools normally teach. But once you understand it, it makes all the difference.

Imagine that you want to say something in Dutch. What would you do? Would you try to remember that sentence that, sometime ago, you memorized from your textbook? Do you think in English or in your own language first, and do you then try to translate this sentence word by word? Then voila! Now it is crystal clear that speaking Dutch is not yet easy or natural for you. Any time you use either of these 2 strategies, you will be stuck. Often within seconds.

The solution is very simple. If you like to speak Dutch freely, you have to think in Dutch directly. Don’t think in English first, although you should have an idea of what you like to say, of course. Then, what you need to do is to think of some Dutch words that you can use and put them in a sentence quickly. Then if you do this, again and again, it will be easy to become fluent.

Why is it Easy to Get Stuck in Dutch

The problem is that in most language courses, you never learn how to think in Dutch directly. Yes, you may memorise many sentences, and who knows? – even long, extended vocabulary lists, but they don’t really show you how you can create sentences all by yourself. On top of that, as long as you think in English first, it will be difficult to express yourself in Dutch.

Sure, it is important that you know what you want to say, but is it really important to make sentences in English first? Thinking in English first is a step that you could easily skip. Isn’t it true that if you like to communicate something, you then phrase it in English? Now, what if you could jump directly to Dutch?

Thinking in English causes many problems. First of all, you must have noticed that the order of words in a Dutch sentence differs from that in English. On top of that, your English vocabulary is probably a lot bigger than your Dutch vocabulary. If you try to translate word by word, it will not be possible, of course, because there are too many words that you don’t know. And there is a third reason why thinking in English first causes many problems: culture.

Speaking a new language does not only mean using different words and grammar. This is what most people understand. But for some mysterious reason, the cultural aspect is harder for most people to grasp. If you keep thinking from your own cultural perspective, speaking another language will often be less effective.

Let’s assume that you like to be polite. You do not want to offend other people, right? In English, there are plenty of rules that you need to follow. But surprise, surprise, things are often different in Dutch.

Imagine that you like to order something in Dutch? Would you use the words mag ik? Mag ik een biertje? Mag ik een stroopwafel? These sentences sound brilliant, and they are grammatically correct. It is so close to may I? No wonder that you see it in textbooks again and again, and even teachers insist that this is the correct way to ask for something.

Before Speaking, There are Important Things You Need to Understand

And yes, it is ok to use it now and then, but here is the thing that no one tells you. Mag ik? is always about asking for permission. In some situations, it is the right thing to say. But if you use this sentence again and again, it could somehow lower your social status. If you constantly ask for permission, Dutch people could see it as a lack of confidence. They could wonder why you are ‘begging’ all the time.

In Dutch society, people are supposed to be equal. That is why we can communicate more ‘directly’. In English, you may use more sentences like “would you please” or “could you please,” but if you translate these sentences literally in Dutch, they often don’t make much sense.

Why Graag is a Magic Word

So what can you do if you like to order something? Instead of using mag ik? You can use another magic word: graag. Graag in Dutch means met liefde or met plezier, with love or with pleasure. Instead of saying: mag ik een biertje?, now you can also say: ik wil graag een biertje, or: een biertje graag.

Then, on top of that, you can make your sentences even simpler. Just make sure you smile and look friendly, and then you can say: Heb je een biertje? Then once you receive it, you can say lekker! or dank je wel!

Can you see that sentences like these make speaking Dutch a lot easier? If you like to say, “I would like to order a beer,” you do not have to say “ik zou graag een biertje willen bestellen,” which is the literal translation. The problem often is that you keep thinking a short, crisp sentence isn’t the right way to say it. But according to whom? If één biertje graag does the trick, then why make Dutch life more difficult?

Once again, speaking Dutch means not only using different words and grammar, but also embracing a different culture with new ideas. It is also the last thing that many people find difficult.

Have you noticed that so many people talk about Dutch directness and that there is so much discussion about whether it is a good thing or a bad thing? Here is something else that most people overlook. How do you know that this is direct? Don’t you think it could somehow be a bit judgmental as well? The truth is that, in Dutch too, you need to be polite. But the way that you express respect and consideration is different from English. However, it does exist (but this is for another article).

I would personally argue that the idea that Dutch people are always direct is an absolute myth. I personally believe, as a Dutch person, that there are many taboos in Dutch society and that Dutch people often do not share their honest opinions. The most important thing: if you can embrace Dutch culture, it will be a lot easier to talk. You do not have to translate anymore, and this is a huge liberation.

Another thing I always teach my students is that if Dutch people like you, they may tease you a little. Teasing other people can be a way of showing affection. Once you understand this cultural aspect as well, your conversations can be much easier, and if you learn to tease people back, you can have a lot of fun in everyday situations.

Once again, if you like to speak fluent Dutch, make sure you think in Dutch first and understand the culture! Make sure you understand, on a deeper level, how communication can be different and highly enjoyable.

By the way, if you’d like to know more, I have a FREE eBook for you, How To Improve Your Dutch Fast – 5 Surprising Tips That Lead to Fun, Fluency and Freedom. You can download it for free at dutch.talencoach.nl