Dutch FluencyLesson 45 of 50 · A0 to A1 · Free
Holidays, parties and gifts
The Dutch calendar is basically snacks, surprises and complicated traditions.
A calendar flips through major celebrations. Culture words unlock conversations no grammar drill can.
12 minutes. No account needed for lesson 1. No rush.
45Today you will
- 1Name the big Dutch celebrations
- 2Say what you do at a party
- 3Use de and het for party words
- 4Invite someone and talk about presents
The 10 words you actually use
Dutch first, said out loud. Say each word before you flip the card, then check yourself. Every card speaks.
trap word
Sinterklaas
SIN-ter-klaas
Sinterklaas
(Sinterklaas)
Sinterklaas brengt cadeaus. Sinterklaas brings presents.
Kerstmis
KERST-mis
Kerstmis
Christmas
Kerstmis is in december. Christmas is in December.
de kerstboom
de KERST-boom
de kerstboom
the Christmas tree
De kerstboom staat in de kamer. The Christmas tree stands in the room.
oudejaarsavond
OU-de-jaars-avond
oudejaarsavond
New Year's Eve
Oudejaarsavond is op 31 december. New Year's Eve is on December 31st.
trap word
de oliebol
de O-lie-bol
de oliebol
the Dutch New Year
Ik eet een oliebol. I eat a Dutch New Year treat.
Nieuwjaar
NIEUW-jaar
Nieuwjaar
New Year's Day / New
Nieuwjaar is op 1 januari. New Year's Day is on January 1st.
Pasen
PAH-sen
Pasen
Easter
Pasen is in het voorjaar. Easter is in spring.
uitnodigen
UIT-no-di-gen
uitnodigen
to invite
Ik nodig mijn vrienden uit. I invite my friends.
de verjaardag
de ver-JAAR-dag
de verjaardag
the birthday
Mijn verjaardag is vandaag. My birthday is today.
trap word
het cadeau
het ka-DOW
het cadeau
the present
Het cadeau is voor jou. The present is for you.
De or het? Feel the rhythm
Most party words are de: de kerstboom, de taart, de kaars, de verjaardag. But het paasei, het bezoek, and het cadeau are het. Learn them as pairs: het paasei, het cadeau. No rule, just rhythm.
- de
- de zak · de kerstboom · de kerstman · de oliebol · de paashaas · de bruiloft · de verjaardag · de taart
- het
- het paasei · het bezoek · het cadeau
The trap: 'de oliebol' is not just a ball
Oliebollen are eaten on oudejaarsavond. If you say 'oliebol' in January, people smile. The word is de, so: de oliebol. It is a snack, a tradition, and a conversation starter. Own it.
A year of parties
Follow a Dutch year, one celebration at a time.
- 01
tap the Dutch to check yourself
- 02
tap the Dutch to check yourself
- 03
tap the Dutch to check yourself
- 04
tap the Dutch to check yourself
- 05
tap the Dutch to check yourself
- 06
tap the Dutch to check yourself
- 07
tap the Dutch to check yourself
- 08
tap the Dutch to check yourself
Helper words in this story
- brengt brings
- staat stands
- eten eat
- begint begins
- mijn my
- vrienden friends
- voor for
- met with
- zus sister
Thirty seconds. Prove it.
Three words from this lesson. Answer before you doubt yourself.
Prove it · 1 of 3
Sinterklaas
All 20 words in this lesson
Sinterklaas
(Sinterklaas)
de zak
the bag
Kerstmis
Christmas
de kerstboom
the Christmas tree
de kerstman
Santa Claus
oudejaarsavond
New Year's Eve
de oliebol
the Dutch New Year
Nieuwjaar
New Year's Day / New
Pasen
Easter
de paashaas
the Easter bunny
het paasei
the Easter egg
uitnodigen
to invite
het bezoek
the visit
ontvangen
to receive
de bruiloft
the wedding
de verjaardag
the birthday
de taart
the cake / tart
de kaars
the candle
verrassen
to surprise
het cadeau
the present
Hear all 20, then say them back
The interactive lesson plays every word, walks the story line by line, records your voice next to a native one, and remembers the ones you find hard. Lesson 1 needs no account.
- I can name the main Dutch holidays
- I can say what I do on New Year's Eve
- I can use de and het for party words
- I can invite someone to my birthday
- I can talk about presents and surprises
Fifty fifty. We build it. You show up.
