Top 10 Mistakes Dutch Learners Make When Learning English
Dutch people usually speak excellent English! But because the languages are so similar, "Dunglish" (Dutch-English) mistakes happen often. These are the funny errors that reveal you are from the Netherlands.
Top 10 Mistakes
1
❌ Typical learner sentence:
"I am an undertaker." (Meaning Entrepreneur)
🤔 Why learners say this:
Classic Dunglish! 'Ondernemer' sounds like 'Undertaker'. But an Undertaker is the person who arranges funerals!
🇬🇧 What it sounds like to a Brit:
Hilarious. You are saying your job is burying dead people.
✅ Natural English version:
"I am an entrepreneur."
2
❌ Typical learner sentence:
"Greetings, Jan." (At the end of an email)
🤔 Why learners say this:
Direct translation of 'Groetjes'. In English, 'Greetings' sounds like a robot or an alien. "Greetings, Earthling."
🇬🇧 What it sounds like to a Brit:
Very stiff and old-fashioned.
✅ Natural English version:
"Best regards," / "Cheers," / "Best,"
3
❌ Typical learner sentence:
"I am busy with my work."
🤔 Why learners say this:
Direct translation of 'Ik ben bezig met'. English implies you are distracted.
🇬🇧 What it sounds like to a Brit:
A bit strange. We usually just say "I am working" or "I am busy working."
✅ Natural English version:
"I am working on..."
🎯 Practice: Which Word?
You started your own business. You are an:
A) Undertaker
B) Entrepreneur
4
❌ Typical learner sentence:
"He is a good cook." (Meaning Chef)
🤔 Why learners say this:
Dutch 'Kok' covers both. In English, a Cook is anyone who cooks. A Chef is a professional leader in a kitchen.
🇬🇧 What it sounds like to a Brit:
If he runs a restaurant, calling him a 'cook' sounds a bit low-level.
✅ Natural English version:
"He is a chef."
5
❌ Typical learner sentence:
"How goes it?"
🤔 Why learners say this:
Direct translation of 'Hoe gaat het?'. English says 'How is it going?'.
🇬🇧 What it sounds like to a Brit:
Very German/Dutch sounding.
✅ Natural English version:
"How are you?" / "How is it going?"
6
❌ Typical learner sentence:
"Can you make a picture of us?"
🤔 Why learners say this:
Dutch 'foto maken'. English uses 'take'.
🇬🇧 What it sounds like to a Brit:
Like you want me to paint a portrait of you.
✅ Natural English version:
"Can you take a picture of us?"
🎯 Practice: Fix the Sentence
"Greetings, I am an undertaker."
7
❌ Typical learner sentence:
"I mean that he is nice." (Meaning I think/Opine)
🤔 Why learners say this:
Dutch 'Menen' means to be of the opinion. English 'Mean' signifies intent or definition.
🇬🇧 What it sounds like to a Brit:
Confusing. Use 'Think' or 'Believe' for opinions.
✅ Natural English version:
"I think that he is nice."
8
❌ Typical learner sentence:
"Wait a moment, I pack my bag."
🤔 Why learners say this:
Dutch 'Ik pak mijn tas' (I grab/take). English 'Pack' means putting clothes in a suitcase for a holiday.
🇬🇧 What it sounds like to a Brit:
Like you are preparing for a long vacation just to leave the room.
✅ Natural English version:
"Wait, I will get my bag."
9
❌ Typical learner sentence:
"We can eventual go to the cinema."
🤔 Why learners say this:
Dutch 'Eventueel' means Possibly. English 'Eventually' means 'Finally, after a long time'.
🇬🇧 What it sounds like to a Brit:
Like we will go to the cinema in 10 years time.
✅ Natural English version:
"We could possibly go to the cinema."
10
❌ Typical learner sentence:
"I hired a car."
🤔 Why learners say this:
In UK English, 'Hire' is okay, but often we 'Rent' cars. 'Hire' is more for people (employees).
🇬🇧 What it sounds like to a Brit:
This is actually acceptable in UK English, but 'Rent' is safer internationally.
✅ Natural English version:
"I rented a car."
🎯 Practice: Fix the Sentence
"We can eventual make a picture."
Ready to Perfect Your English?
English lessons online with a native English speaker on Zoom, Teams, and Google Meet
Let's SPEAK English!