Kitty & YogeshLearning how to express your appreciation or gratitude to someone (or for something) is one of the great social norms that can take you a long way during your visit or stay in the Netherlands. Learn how to say thank you in Dutch in both formal as well as casual situations.
How to Say Thank You in Dutch (Formally)
The Dutch language has a formal and informal way of addressing people. In formal situations, the pronoun u (you) is used. You would normally use this pronoun in the following instances:
- When addressing someone older
- When addressing someone who is higher in authority or position (e.g., your boss, a lawyer, doctor, etc.)
In very formal occasions, u may also be used even if the other person is younger. For instance, say you’re in a 5-star restaurant where the dress code is strictly formal. In this case, u may be used to address the host/hostess or server.
Here are the formal ways to say thank you in Dutch.
#1 Dank u wel
The most common formal expression is dank u wel, which can be shortened to dank u. Both translate to Thank you.
#2 Dank u zeer
The Dutch word zeer translates to very, highly, or greatly. As such, dank u zeer translates to Thank you very much.
#3 Hartelijk dank
If you want to inject a bit of emotion into your gratitude, you can say hartelijk dank, which translates to I heartily give thanks or My heartfelt thanks.
#4 Bij voorbat dank
If you want to give thanks in advance to someone, then you can say bij voorbaat dank, which translates to Thank you in advance.
Note though that the usage of this sentence is usually reserved for written communication (i.e., when ending a formal letter or email to someone).
How to Say Thank You in Dutch (Informally)
Although there are formal ways of giving thanks in Dutch, you will soon find out that Dutchies tend to do away with such formalities soon after initial introductions. In these situations, the pronoun je (you) is used.
#5 Dank je wel
The most common casual expression is dank je wel or dankjewel. This both translate to Thank you.
#6 Dank je
Dank je also means Thank you but in an even more informal way.
#7 Bedankt
Even more casual is to say bedankt which translates to Thanks.
The following ways to say thanks in Dutch are used when you want to emphasize your gratitude even more.
#8 Heel erg bedankt
The Dutch word heel means very so to say heel erg bedankt means Thank you so much or Thank you very much.
#9 Ontzettend bedankt
Although ontzettend literally means tremendously or enormously, ontzettend bedankt simply translates to Thank you so very much.
#10 Harstikke bedankt
Hartstikke means very much, incredibly, or totally. So saying hartstikke bedankt translates to Thank you so very much as well.
#11 Superbedankt
The Dutch use the word ‘super’ as others would normally use the word ‘great’. So the phrase superbedankt translates to Super thanks! or Great, thanks!
Note though that this term is more often used amongst the youth so don’t say it to your employer or colleagues, unless you guys are super close.
Keep in mind too that the Dutch are a very levelheaded or matter-of-fact kind of people. So don’t use phrases 8-11 above if you’re just giving thanks for something simple. Otherwise, you’ll be thought of as overdreven (i.e., dramatic or exaggerating).
#12 Alvast bedankt
If you want to give thanks in advance to someone in a casual way, then you can say alvast bedankt (Thanks in advance). This phrase can be used verbally or used as a means to end an informal letter or email.
How to Say Thank You in Dutch to Multiple People
Want to give thanks to more than one person? This is how you do it.
#13 Dank u wel
Dank u wel is the formal way of saying Thank you all. Although the word u translates to you (singular), it takes the plural form when used in this context.
#14 Dank jullie wel
Dank jullie wel is the informal way of saying Thank you all. Note that je (singular pronoun) is replaced by jullie (plural pronoun).
Give Thanks for Something in Dutch
#15 Dank u voor
If you want to extend your thanks by stating what it is you’re grateful for then simply add the word voor, which translates to for.
Dank u voor (formal)…or dank je wel voor (informal)…
Example: Dank je wel voor de bloemen. (Thank you for the flowers.)
‘Thanks to You’ in Dutch
#16 Dankzij
Say that someone helped you out at work. Due to that assistance, you were able to finish your report on time. You’d probably want to say something like this.
Dankzij u / jou / jullie heb ik mijn deadline gehaald. (Thanks to you, I met my deadline.)
Thank You in Dutch Quick Sheet
| Dutch ‘Thank You’ Phrase | Context | English Translation |
|---|---|---|
| Dank u. | Formal (Singular or Plural) | Thank you. |
| Dank u wel. | Formal (Singular or Plural) | Thank you. |
| Dank u zeer. | Formal (Singular or Plural) | Thank you very much. |
| Hartelijk dank. | Formal | I heartily give thanks. |
| Bij voorbaat dank. | Formal | Thank you in advance. |
| Dank je wel. | Casual | Thank you. |
| Dankjewel. | Casual | Thank you. |
| Dank je. | Casual | Thank you. |
| Bedankt. | Casual | Thanks! |
| Heel erg bedankt. | Casual | Thank you so much or Thank you very much. |
| Ontzettend bedankt. | Casual | Thank you so very much. |
| Hartstikke bedankt. | Casual | Thank you so very much. |
| Superbedankt. | Casual | Super thanks! |
| Alvast bedankt. | Casual | Thanks in advance. |
| Dank jullie wel. | Casual (Plural) | Thank you all. |
| Dank u voor… | Formal (Plural) | Thank you for… |
| Dank je voor… | Casual | Thank you for… |
| Dank jullie voor… | Casual (Plural) | Thank you all for… |
| Dankzij u… | Formal (Singular or Plural) | Thanks to you… |
| Dankzij jou… | Casual (Singular) | Thanks to you… |
| Dankzij jullie… | Casual (Plural) | Thanks to all of you… |
