Dutch email phrases: Beste or Geachte, Met vriendelijke groet

Openings, closings and the polite middle of a Dutch email: Beste or Geachte, Met vriendelijke groet, asking, thanking, apologising, following up — with u or je.

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The Dom Tower of Utrecht seen from the Oudegracht canal
Photo: Michielverbeek, CC BY-SA 4.0, resized.

Opening

SituationOpening
formal, name knownGeachte heer De Vries, / Geachte mevrouw Jansen,
formal, name unknownGeachte heer/mevrouw,
neutral (most work emails)Beste Sanne, / Beste meneer De Vries,
informalHoi Mark, / Hallo allemaal,

The middle

  • Ik schrijf u in verband met… — I am writing to you regarding…
  • Naar aanleiding van ons gesprek… — Following our conversation…
  • Zou u mij kunnen laten weten of…? — Could you let me know whether…?
  • In de bijlage vindt u… — Please find attached…
  • Excuses voor de late reactie. — Sorry for the late reply.
  • Alvast bedankt. — Thank you in advance.

Zou u mij kunnen laten weten of de vergadering doorgaat?

Literally: Could you let me know whether the meeting is going ahead?

Meaning: zou … kunnen is polite; doorgaan at the end

Closing

ToneClosing
formalMet vriendelijke groet, / Hoogachtend,
neutralMet vriendelijke groet, / Vriendelijke groet,
informalGroetjes, / Groet,

Mind the u or je choice and keep it consistent: uw with u, je with je. The writing exam guide has model messages, and word order explains why it is Graag hoor ik van u (verb second).

Verbs you will write with: sturen, mailen, ontvangen, antwoorden, vragen, laten.

Sentences you can reuse

16Word’s Sentences track has pages of polite requests and complaints, B1 level — type them until they flow. Page 1 is free.

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Frequently asked questions

How do you start a formal email in Dutch?

Geachte heer De Vries, or Geachte mevrouw Jansen, — or Geachte heer/mevrouw, when you don't know the name. Beste … is the neutral choice for most work emails.

How do you end a Dutch email?

Met vriendelijke groet, (formal or neutral); Groetjes, (informal).

How do you say please find attached in Dutch?

In de bijlage vindt u…

How do you say thank you in advance in Dutch?

Alvast bedankt.

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