Dutch vs Flemish: one language, two accents
Is Flemish a different language? No — Flemish is the Dutch of Flanders, with one standard spelling and grammar. What differs: pronunciation, some everyday words, ge/gij for you — and what to learn if you live in Belgium.
Updated · 2 min read
Dutch is the language of the Netherlands and of Flanders, the northern part of Belgium (and of Suriname). The Netherlands, Belgium (for Flanders) and Suriname govern it together through the Nederlandse Taalunie, which keeps one official spelling — the Woordenlijst (Taalunie). Flemish (Vlaams) is what people call the Dutch spoken in Flanders.
In short: one language, one standard. Learn standard Dutch and you will be understood in Amsterdam and Antwerp alike. The differences are in pronunciation, some everyday words and informal speech.
What differs
| Netherlands | Flanders | |
|---|---|---|
| the g | rough, at the back of the throat | soft |
| you (informal, spoken) | je, jij | ge, gij (in informal speech); je in standard Dutch |
| chips | patat (north), friet | frieten |
| nice, fun | leuk | plezant (informal) |
| to want, desire | zin hebben | goesting hebben (informal) |
| soon, later | straks | seffens (informal) |
| thanks | dank je wel | merci (very common in speech), dank u |
More Flemish words: Flemish expressions.
What to learn in Belgium
- Standard Dutch — it is what the A2 nationality test and the Flemish integration pathway use.
- u more than je with strangers — Flanders tends to be a little more formal (u or je).
- Listen to local speech to get used to the soft g and ge/gij.
Hoe gaat het met u?
Literally: How are you? (formal)
Meaning: common in Flanders, also with acquaintances — how are you
The grammar is the same: word order, de or het, the perfect. Verbs: zijn, hebben, gaan.
Standard Dutch, from your language
16Word teaches standard Dutch — understood in the Netherlands and Flanders — from 36 languages, 16 words at a time. Free to start.
Keep learning
- Flemish expressions
- The languages of Belgium
- Belgian nationality and the Dutch test
- Inburgering in Flanders
- Verb tables: komen, kunnen, moeten, willen, mogen, zullen, worden, wonen, werken, leren, lezen, schrijven, spreken, luisteren, begrijpen, zeggen, vragen, maken, doen, geven, nemen, zien, kijken, denken
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Frequently asked questions
Is Flemish a different language from Dutch?
No. Flemish is the Dutch of Flanders; the Netherlands, Belgium and Suriname share one standard spelling and grammar through the Nederlandse Taalunie.
Should I learn Dutch or Flemish?
Learn standard Dutch: it is understood everywhere and is what the Belgian nationality test and the Flemish integration pathway use.
What is ge and gij?
The informal you in spoken Flemish; standard Dutch uses je and jij.
Do Flemish people say merci?
Yes, merci is very common in everyday speech in Flanders, alongside dank u and dank je.
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Official sources
Keep going
- Learn Dutch 16 words a day
- /resources/dutch
- Flemish expressions: amai, allez, goesting and more
- Learning Dutch in Brussels: where to start and how to practise
- The languages of Belgium: Dutch, French and German explained
- Luxembourgish vs Dutch: how close are they?
- What does gezellig mean? The Dutch word with no translation
- Dutch holidays and traditions: Koningsdag, 4 and 5 May, Sinterklaas
- Dutch birthday customs: congratulate the family, bring the cake
- Dutch surnames: van, de, van der — capital or not?
- All guides