Dutch for parents: school words and messages to the teacher

The Dutch you need as a parent: the basisschool and its groups, messages from the teacher, the parents’ evening, calling in your child sick — the words and sentences of school life.

Updated · 2 min read

The Dom Tower of Utrecht seen from the Oudegracht canal
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School brings a whole new vocabulary — letters, apps, the parents’ evening, the class trip. In the Netherlands children go to the basisschool (primary school) from age 4, in groep 1 to 8, and then to the middelbare school (secondary school).

School words

DutchEnglish
de juf / de meesterthe teacher (female / male), in primary school
de groepthe class year (groep 1–8)
de ouderavondparents’ evening
het rapportschool report
de schoolreisschool trip
de vakantieschool holiday
de leerplichtcompulsory education
de oudergesprekkenparent–teacher meetings

Messages you will send

Mijn zoon is ziek en komt vandaag niet naar school.

Literally: My son is ill and won’t come to school today.

Meaning: komen — in Dutch komen (come) is used where English says go to school

Ik haal haar om twaalf uur op voor de tandarts.

Literally: I’ll pick her up at twelve for the dentist.

Meaning: ophalen — to pick up; separable: ik haal … op (halen)

Kunnen we een afspraak maken om te praten over zijn rapport?

Literally: Can we make an appointment to talk about his report?

Meaning: kunnen, praten

At the parents’ evening

  • Hoe gaat het met haar in de klas? — How is she doing in class?
  • Kan hij goed meekomen? — Is he keeping up?
  • Waar kunnen we thuis mee helpen? — What can we help with at home? (helpen)
  • Ik begrijp niet alles. Kunt u het langzamer zeggen? — I don’t understand everything. Could you say it more slowly?

School and children are a theme in the KNM exam; a message to school is a classic task in the writing exam.

School words, 16 at a time

16Word’s inburgering path has a set for education and courses, with audio and a game of Blocks between answers. Free to start.

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Frequently asked questions

What is a basisschool?

Primary school in the Netherlands, from age 4, in groups 1 to 8.

How do you say my child is ill in Dutch?

Mijn zoon / dochter is ziek en komt vandaag niet naar school.

What is a juf?

A female primary-school teacher; a male teacher is a meester.

What is an ouderavond?

A parents' evening at school.

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