Learn Dutch

Learn Dutch online: a free course for complete beginners

Dutch is spoken by more than 25 million people and is used daily in the Netherlands, Belgium, and several regions around the world. Because it uses the Latin alphabet and shares similarities with English and German, Dutch often looks familiar to beginners.

This familiarity can be reassuring, but it can also be misleading. Spoken Dutch has its own sound patterns, rhythm, and sentence logic that must be learned through listening and real usage, not spelling alone.

The Loecsen “First Contact” course is a free online Dutch course for beginners, designed for learners starting from zero. It helps you begin understanding and using Dutch from the very first lessons.

Dutch in the Netherlands and Belgium: similarities and differences

Dutch is the official language of the Netherlands and one of the official languages of Belgium, where it is often called Flemish.

The written language is essentially the same in both countries. Grammar, spelling, and vocabulary are shared, which means that learning standard Dutch allows you to understand both Dutch and Flemish.

The main differences appear in pronunciation, intonation, and some everyday vocabulary. Flemish pronunciation is often perceived as softer and more melodic, while Dutch from the Netherlands may sound more direct.

In this course, you learn standard modern Dutch, as commonly used in the Netherlands. This form is fully understood in Belgium and provides an excellent base for all Dutch-speaking regions.

The origins of Dutch and its place among Germanic languages

Dutch belongs to the West Germanic language family, alongside English and German. This shared origin explains why many Dutch words look recognizable at first glance.

However, Dutch has developed its own pronunciation rules and fixed expressions. This is why learners must pay special attention to spoken Dutch, even when words look familiar.

The Dutch alphabet and why pronunciation needs attention

Dutch uses the Latin alphabet, without additional letters. This gives the impression that reading Dutch should be straightforward.

In reality, pronunciation does not always follow spelling. Many sounds are expressed through letter combinations, especially vowels, and the same letters can sound different depending on context.

Because of this, Dutch must be learned through listening from the very beginning.

Further down on this page, Loecsen provides a sound-based alphabet and pronunciation tool, where letters and letter combinations are heard, seen, and used inside short everyday sentences. This helps learners connect written forms with real spoken Dutch.

How Dutch sentences are built and understood in everyday use

In everyday communication, Dutch sentences often follow a subject – verb – object structure, which allows beginners to start speaking quickly.

Ik begrijp het. – I understand it.

• Ik – I (subject)
• begrijp – understand (verb)
• het – it (object)

Dutch also uses an essential feature called verb-second (V2) word order. This means the verb must remain in the second position, even if the sentence starts with something else.

Vandaag begrijp ik het. – Today I understand it.

• Vandaag – today (time element)
• begrijp – understand (verb)
• ik – I (subject)
• het – it (object)

This structure is extremely common in spoken Dutch and becomes natural through repetition of complete sentences.

Understanding Dutch grammar through real usage

Dutch grammar is relatively accessible for beginners. There are no grammatical cases, and everyday speech relies on a limited number of verb forms.

Meaning is mainly conveyed through word order and fixed expressions.

By learning phrases such as “I don’t understand”, “I want this”, or “Where is it?”, learners immediately use correct Dutch structures in real situations.

With Loecsen, grammar is always learned through complete, spoken sentences, never through abstract rules.

What to learn first to start speaking Dutch

To begin speaking Dutch, it is far more effective to focus on useful everyday expressions rather than isolated vocabulary.

This approach helps learners absorb pronunciation, structure, and meaning at the same time.

A simple and effective learning routine with Loecsen

Learning Dutch online works best with short, regular sessions and repeated exposure to the same expressions.

• Practice every day, even just 5 minutes. Consistency matters more than duration.
• Learn complete expressions instead of memorizing word lists.
• Speak out loud systematically, even when practicing alone.
• Repeat the same sentences until they become automatic.
• Use Listening mode to adapt your ear to real Dutch pronunciation.
• Practice with AI dialogue tools to simulate realistic situations without pressure.
• Write simple sentences by hand to reinforce long-term memory.
• Use the “Learn with music” feature to associate Dutch with enjoyable content.
• Rely on the Spaced Repetition System (SRS) and Super Memory to review expressions at the right moment.

Staying motivated while learning Dutch

Feeling confused at the beginning is normal, especially because written and spoken Dutch do not always match.

• Lower your daily goal instead of stopping completely.
• Return to familiar expressions to regain confidence.
• Focus on listening only on low-energy days.
• Accept approximation as part of the learning process.

Continuity is always more effective than intensity.

How the Loecsen course supports beginners

This course focuses on essential everyday expressions, reinforced through listening, repetition, and contextual explanations.

Thanks to its structured progression and Spaced Repetition System (SRS), learners progressively reach a functional CEFR A1 level.

Frequently asked questions about learning Dutch

Is Dutch difficult for beginners?

Dutch looks familiar but sounds different. With regular listening and repetition, this gap becomes manageable very quickly.

Can I learn Dutch and Flemish at the same time?

Yes. The written language is the same, and differences are mainly in pronunciation and everyday usage.

Do I need to learn pronunciation rules?

No. Listening to real sentences and repeating them is far more effective than memorizing rules.

Can I learn Dutch online for free?

Yes, by following a structured free online Dutch course such as Loecsen “First Contact”.

How long does it take to start understanding Dutch?

With regular practice, most learners can understand and use basic Dutch expressions within a few weeks.