Dutch workplace words: overleg, borrel, rooster and more

Overleg, borrel, ziekmelden, de baas, de collega’s, het rooster: the Dutch words of the workplace you hear from day one — with the verbs and the phrases they come in.

Updated · 2 min read

The Binnenhof in The Hague, seat of the Dutch government, across the Hofvijver
Photo: Michielverbeek, CC BY-SA 4.0, resized.
DutchEnglish
de collegacolleague
de leidinggevende, de baasmanager, boss
het overlegmeeting
de borreldrinks (often on Friday afternoon)
het roosterschedule, rota
de dienstshift
zich ziekmeldento call in sick
vrij nemento take time off
de pauzebreak
het loon / het salarispay, salary
de loonstrookpayslip
de caocollective labour agreement

Vrijdag is er een borrel na het werk. Kom je ook?

Literally: There are drinks after work on Friday. Are you coming?

Meaning: komen — see gezellig

Ik sta deze week op het rooster voor de avonddienst.

Literally: This week I’m on the rota for the evening shift.

Meaning: staan

Verbs you will use

werken, beginnen, stoppen, regelen, afspreken, uitleggen.

More in Dutch at work and the KNM exam, where work and income are a theme.

Work words with audio

16Word’s inburgering path has sets for work and the job search — 16 words at a time, with a game of Blocks between answers. Free to start.

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Frequently asked questions

What is a borrel?

Drinks with colleagues or friends — at work often on Friday afternoon.

How do you say to call in sick in Dutch?

Zich ziekmelden: Ik meld me ziek.

What is a cao?

A collectieve arbeidsovereenkomst — a collective labour agreement for a sector.

What is a rooster?

A schedule or rota — who works which shift.

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