“Hello” in Dutch is most commonly said as “Hallo.” It’s a simple and friendly greeting used in both casual and formal situations. Dutch speakers also use “Hoi” or “Hey” when greeting friends or people they know well.
Many users search for how to say hello in Dutch when learning the language, traveling to the Netherlands, or chatting with Dutch-speaking friends. The user intent is clear: they want easy, correct, and everyday greetings that sound natural and polite.
In this guide, you’ll learn the most common ways to say hello in Dutch, when to use formal or informal greetings, and basic pronunciation tips. The explanation is written in simple words, divided into short paragraphs, and easy to understand for beginners.
Say Hello in Dutch With Examples
15 Ways to Say Hello in Dutch (Table)
| No. | Dutch Phrase | Meaning in English | When to Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Hallo | Hello | Neutral, everyday greeting |
| 2. | Hoi | Hi | Casual and friendly |
| 3. | Hey | Hey | Very informal, friends |
| 4. | Goedendag | Good day | Polite / formal greeting |
| 5. | Goedemorgen | Good morning | Morning greeting |
| 6. | Goedemiddag | Good afternoon | Afternoon greeting |
| 7. | Goedenavond | Good evening | Evening greeting |
| 8. | Welkom | Welcome | When greeting someone arriving |
| 9. | Alles goed? | Everything good? / How are you? | Friendly check-in |
| 10. | Hoe gaat het? | How are you? | Everyday conversation |
| 11. | Leuk je te zien | Nice to see you | Meeting someone again |
| 12. | Aangenaam | Nice to meet you | First time meeting, polite |
| 13. | Met plezier | With pleasure / You’re welcome | Warm greeting tone |
| 14. | Yo | Yo | Very casual, youth slang |
| 15. | Dag | Hi/Bye | Works as hello and goodbye |
1. Hallo – Hello
Origin:
“Hallo” is the most direct translation of “hello” and is used widely across the Netherlands and Belgium.
Example:
👤 User A: Hallo! Hoe gaat het met je? (Hello! How are you?)
👤 User B: Hallo! Alles goed, dank je. (Hello! All good, thank you.)
Use: Universal and neutral; used with friends, strangers, and colleagues.
2. Hoi – Hi
Origin:
A casual and friendly version of “hallo”, “hoi” is extremely popular, especially among young people.
Example:
👤 User A: Hoi! Heb je een minuutje? (Hi! Do you have a minute?)
👤 User B: Hoi! Natuurlijk. (Hi! Of course.)
Use: Informal; great for friends, classmates, or coworkers.
3. Hey
Origin:
Adopted from English, “hey” is frequently used by younger Dutch speakers and in informal text chats.
Example:
👤 User A: Hey! Lang niet gezien. (Hey! Long time no see.)
👤 User B: Hey! Inderdaad! (Hey! Indeed!)
Use: Very informal; often used in social settings or messages.
4. Goedemorgen – Good morning
Origin:
This traditional greeting literally means “good morning” and is rooted in formal Dutch customs.
Example:
👤 User A: Goedemorgen, mevrouw Jansen. (Good morning, Mrs. Jansen.)
👤 User B: Goedemorgen! Hoe kan ik u helpen? (Good morning! How can I help you?)
Use: Formal or polite; typically used until noon.
5. Goedemiddag – Good afternoon
Origin:
A common greeting after 12 PM until around 5–6 PM, “goedemiddag” is used in both formal and casual interactions.
Example:
👤 User A: Goedemiddag! Is de winkel nog open? (Good afternoon! Is the store still open?)
👤 User B: Ja hoor, tot zes uur. (Yes, until six.)
Use: Semi-formal and polite.
6. Goedenavond – Good evening
Origin:
Used after 6 PM, this greeting shows politeness and respect, especially in service or professional situations.
Example:
👤 User A: Goedenavond, mag ik u iets vragen? (Good evening, may I ask you something?)
👤 User B: Natuurlijk, zeg het maar. (Of course, go ahead.)
Use: Formal and respectful.
7. Dag – Hello / Goodbye
Origin:
“Dag” is a versatile word meaning both “hello” and “goodbye,” similar to “ciao” in Italian. It literally means “day.”
Example:
👤 User A: Dag! Hoe is het? (Hi! How’s it going?)
👤 User B: Dag! Prima, en met jou? (Hi! Good, and you?)
Use: Polite but neutral; suitable for everyday use.
8. Hallo daar! – Hello there!
Origin:
Adds a touch of cheer or emphasis. It’s used to express enthusiasm or surprise when greeting someone.
Example:
👤 User A: Hallo daar! Wat doe jij hier? (Hello there! What are you doing here?)
👤 User B: Toevallig jou tegenkomen! (Just happened to run into you!)
Use: Friendly, cheerful, often when you weren’t expecting to see the person.
9. Hee hallo! – Hey, hello!
Origin:
Combines “hee” (a Dutch version of “hey”) and “hallo” for added enthusiasm or familiarity.
Example:
👤 User A: Hee hallo! Alles goed? (Hey, hello! Everything good?)
👤 User B: Ja hoor, met jou ook? (Yes, with you too?)
Use: Energetic and informal; often used when you’re excited to see someone.
10. Yo
Origin:
Borrowed from English slang, “yo” is used mainly among teenagers and in urban areas for a casual, cool greeting.
Example:
👤 User A: Yo, wat ga je doen vanavond? (Yo, what are you doing tonight?)
👤 User B: Misschien naar de bios. (Maybe going to the movies.)
Use: Very informal; slangy and cool.
11. Zeg! – Hey! / Say!
Origin:
“Zeg” means “say” but is also used to grab someone’s attention—especially when surprised or impatient.
Example:
👤 User A: Zeg! Jij hier?! (Hey! You here?!)
👤 User B: Ja, wat een toeval! (Yes, what a coincidence!)
Use: Informal, often used with surprise or to initiate a conversation strongly.
12. Hoi hoi – Hi hi
Origin:
A doubled form of “hoi” used for extra friendliness. Doubling words in Dutch adds cuteness or playfulness.
Example:
👤 User A: Hoi hoi! Klaar voor de les? (Hi hi! Ready for class?)
👤 User B: Altijd! (Always!)
Use: Very friendly and warm; often used in casual texts or with friends.
13. Heuj!
Origin:
Spoken with a cheerful tone, “heuj” (also spelled “heujj” or “hé”) is regional slang, mostly used in the south of the Netherlands or Flanders.
Example:
👤 User A: Heuj! Alles kits? (Hey! Everything cool?)
👤 User B: Zeker weten! (Absolutely!)
Use: Informal, regional, playful.
14. Hallo allemaal – Hello everyone
Origin:
A group greeting meaning “hello everyone” or “hello all.”
Example:
👤 User A: Hallo allemaal! Leuk jullie weer te zien. (Hello everyone! Nice to see you again.)
👤 User B: Hallo! Jij ook! (Hello! You too!)
Use: Polite and friendly, for groups.
15. Moi
Origin:
A greeting mainly used in the northern provinces of the Netherlands (like Groningen and Friesland), “moi” means “hi” and “bye” in regional dialects.
Example:
👤 User A: Moi! Hoe ist? (Hi! How are things?)
👤 User B: Moi! Gaat prima. (Hi! Going fine.)
Use: Regional and informal.
FAQs
- What is the most common way to say hello in Dutch?
The most common greeting is “Hallo”, similar to English “Hello.” - How do you say hi informally in Dutch?
You can say “Hoi”, which is casual and friendly. - How do you greet someone in the morning in Dutch?
Say “Goedemorgen” (goo-duh-mor-ghen) meaning Good morning. - How do you say good afternoon in Dutch?
Use “Goedemiddag” (goo-duh-mid-dah). - How do you say good evening in Dutch?
Say “Goedenavond” (goo-duh-nah-vond). - How do you greet a group in Dutch?
You can still say “Hallo” or “Hoi” to a group. - Is there a polite way to say hello in Dutch?
Yes, “Goedendag” means Good day and sounds more formal. - How do you say hello on the phone in Dutch?
People usually answer with “Hallo?” or “Met [name]” (meaning “With [name]”). - How do Dutch people say bye?
A common way is “Doei” (doo-ee) or “Dag”. - Is Dutch pronunciation difficult?
Some words have throat sounds, but Hallo and Hoi are very easy to say.
Conclusion:
Now that you’ve learned how to say hello in Dutch, you can start conversations with confidence and friendliness. Whether you use “Hallo” for casual settings or greetings like “Goedemiddag” and “Goedenavond” for specific times of day, these phrases help you connect politely with Dutch speakers.
Keep practicing how to say hello in Dutch to make every interaction smoother, warmer, and more engaging. A simple “Hallo” can be the beginning of a great connection!
