Dutch on the phone: making calls, appointments and messages

How to make a phone call in Dutch: answering with your name, asking for someone, spelling, numbers, leaving a message, calling to say you are ill — and what to do when you do not understand.

Updated November 3, 2026 · 2 min read

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Phone calls are hard in any new language: no face, no gestures, often a bad line. A few fixed sentences carry you through most of them.

Starting the call

When you don’t understand

• Kunt u dat herhalen? — Could you repeat that? (herhalen)
• Kunt u wat langzamer praten? — Could you speak a bit more slowly? (praten)
• Hoe spel je dat? — How do you spell that?
• Ik begrijp het niet helemaal. — I don’t quite understand. (begrijpen)

Numbers, dates, spelling

Phone numbers are said in pairs or one by one; dates as dinsdag vijf november. Times trip people up: half drie is 2:30 — see Dutch numbers and the listening exam.

Calling in sick

Leaving a message

Keep learning

• At the doctor
• At the gemeente
• The listening exam
• Dutch numbers
• Verb tables: hebben, gaan, moeten, zullen, worden, wonen, werken, leren, lezen, schrijven, luisteren, zeggen, vragen, maken, doen, geven, nemen, zien, kijken

More guides like this

• Dutch greetings and everyday phrases · Dutch at the doctor and the pharmacy · Dutch at the gemeente
• Dutch for shopping and eating out · Days, months and telling the time · Dutch small talk
• Dutch for parents at school