If you sit back and think about the number of people who live on earth and how different they are from each other, you will realize it is a miracle we are not at a war all the time. All of us speak different languages but we invented tools to get over that barrier so we can understand each other. We have different cultures but we respect all cultures so we don’t offend anyone. Even our skin colors and facial features are not the same and sure, there are many who make fun of others based on these things, but most of us have learned to become tolerant.

After fighting two world wars, and many small-scale wars, humans have realized that they can only be happy if everyone else in the world is happy too. Today, a crisis in one part of the world mobilizes the whole internet and someone living thousands of miles away is also raising their voice for the victims. Our planet may not have reached the ultimate peace, but its citizens are constantly striving for that. In our quest to make things easier for everyone, we keep inventing new technologies and ways of communications. If we want to save the earth and be united then we have to stay connected.

The internet has proven to be the best means of communication for people. On one hand, it lets people stay connected with each other and on the other hand, it keeps everyone informed about the latest happenings around the world. A majority of internet users don’t turn to the TV for national and international news. They get it in real time from Twitter and thanks to hashtags, they can learn all about a story.

The Unique Story of Languages:

The people of this earth speak more than 7000 languages. If you have been on the internet for some time, you may have noticed many tweets and Facebook posts in different vernaculars by now. Simply because the internet doesn’t have a common language and people belonging to different countries may not know the most spoken tongues on the internet. They will feel comfortable talking in the vernaculars that they have been speaking since their birth. But the problem that arises with this is a gap in communication. Sure, you can click the translate button under the tweet but you will only be greeting by a sentence that makes no sense whatsoever. Because the automated translation system is not perfect, you will remain clueless as to what the tweet says.

Many people are obsessed with languages and how they differ from one another. They study them to learn all about them. But no human can learn all vernaculars in his lifetime so as a result, people stick to the ones that attract them the most. There are many who like learning just the basic phrases or the common words in each language so they can flaunt their knowledge in front of their friends. Among the many tongues that such people learn, one is the Dutch.

The Dutch Language Introduction:

Spoken by 29 million people, Dutch is the official language of the Netherlands and Belgium. In Belgium, it is spoken in the Flanders, which is the northern region of the country. This West Germanic language is a close relative of English and German. The South African tongue Afrikaans is considered the daughter language of Dutch as it evolved from the later.

Germanic languages are a favorite of many linguists and they are the ones people turn to when they want to learn a new tongue. Their popularity has attracted many people in the past and it continues to do so.

10 Most Common Dutch Words:

If you want to learn a few Dutch words then start with these 10 most common words:

1. Hallo:
Dutch has different words for good morning, good afternoon, and good evening but if you are looking for a more general greeting then this is it. You can say it anywhere and too anyone.

2. Leuk:
A word that you will hear a lot in the Netherlands is Leuk. It means nice or cute but you can also use it to mean you agree with something. So, you can use it describe something but also to express your opinion.

3. Dank je wel:
Being polite is the way to go, no matter where you are in the world. If you want to say thank you in Dutch, then you say Dank je wel.

4. Alstublieft:
Saying please is nice, the Dutch love it. When you are asking for something or just ordering your food, saying alstublieft will get you a smile for sure.

5. Sorry:
Yes, it is written like the English word but it is pronounced differently with a long “o” and a rolled “r”.

6. Gezellig:
Want to tell your host that their house is nice or the party is good? Use Gezellig. It means cozy and fun and can be used to describe an atmosphere.

7. Lekker:
This word has probably way too many meanings depending on the context but the most common one is tasty. So, you use it to complement the food.

8. Ja:
It means exactly what you think it means: yes. You will be needing it frequently in the Netherlands.

9. Tot ziens:
Leaving a restaurant or café? Say see you later with these words to the people there.

10. Doei:
If you want a cheerful goodbye then you use doei. It simply means bye but in a more friendly manner.

So, if you love Dutch then it is time to learn these 10 most common words of the language and prepare yourself for a trip to the Netherlands.