You meet a new colleague. You introduce yourself to another parent at school. A receptionist asks for your name.
How do you say your name in Dutch – and how do you ask for somebody else’s name?
You only need a few short sentence patterns. In this lesson, you will learn the most natural ways to introduce yourself, choose between je and u, ask for a first name or surname, and respond when somebody tells you their name.
After this lesson, you can:
- say your name in three natural ways;
- ask another person’s name informally or politely;
- give your first name and surname;
- understand the difference between je, jij and u;
- respond naturally after hearing somebody’s name.
The simplest Dutch name exchange
To say your name, use Ik heet…
To ask the other person’s name, use Hoe heet je?
A: Hallo, ik heet Sara. Hoe heet je?
B: Ik heet Amir.
A: Leuk je te ontmoeten!
Ik heet literally uses the verb heten, meaning to be called. You do not need to translate it word for word. Learn Ik heet… and Hoe heet je? as two complete phrases.
Three ways to say your name
These three sentences are all correct. The difference is mainly in how and where they are used.
| Dutch | Meaning | How it sounds |
|---|---|---|
| Ik heet Lina. | My name is Lina. | Clear and useful for beginners |
| Ik ben Lina. | I’m Lina. | Very natural in an everyday introduction |
| Mijn naam is Lina. | My name is Lina. | Clear and slightly more deliberate or formal |
Hoi, ik ben David.
Goedemorgen. Mijn naam is Elena Petrova.
Ik heet Nour.
Dutch speakers may use Ik ben…, Ik heet… or Mijn naam is…. You only need to choose one that feels easy to say. You should learn to recognise all three.
How to ask someone’s name
Choose the question that fits the person and the situation.
| Dutch | Meaning | When to use it |
|---|---|---|
| Hoe heet je? | What’s your name? | Normal informal question |
| Hoe heet jij? | What is your name? | Jij adds emphasis or contrast |
| Hoe heet u? | What’s your name? | Polite or formal question |
| Wat is je naam? | What is your name? | Direct; also common when asking for information |
| Wat is uw naam? | What is your name? | Polite and common in formal or administrative situations |
Use je with friends, children, classmates and people who speak informally with you. Use u when you want to be polite – for example with a client, an older stranger or in a formal conversation.
Hoe heet je? is the neutral informal question. Use Hoe heet jij? when the word you is important: Ik heet Sara. Hoe heet jij?
Your first name and surname
In an ordinary introduction, your first name is often enough. At work, at a medical practice or when making an appointment, somebody may ask for your full name.
| Question | Answer | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Wat is uw voornaam? | Mijn voornaam is Anne. | What is your first name? |
| Wat is uw achternaam? | Mijn achternaam is De Jong. | What is your surname? |
| Wat is uw volledige naam? | Mijn volledige naam is Anne de Jong. | What is your full name? |
voornaam means first name. achternaam means surname or last name.
If somebody cannot write your name after hearing it, you need the Dutch alphabet and spelling phrases. That is the next lesson in this roadmap. Here, your goal is simply to say your name and understand which part of your name somebody is asking for.
What do you say after hearing a name?
You can repeat the person’s name, greet them or say that it is nice to meet them.
| Dutch | Meaning | Use |
|---|---|---|
| Hallo, Amir. | Hello, Amir. | Simple and neutral |
| Leuk je te ontmoeten. | Nice to meet you. | Informal |
| Leuk u te ontmoeten. | Nice to meet you. | Polite or formal |
| Aangenaam. | Pleased to meet you. | Short and polite |
Short conversations
Meeting another parent
A: Hoi, ik ben Maya. Hoe heet je?
B: Ik heet Sofia.
A: Leuk je te ontmoeten, Sofia.
B: Ja, leuk je te ontmoeten!
Meeting someone politely
A: Goedemorgen. Mijn naam is Peter de Jong.
B: Goedemorgen. Ik ben Nadia Ivanova.
A: Aangenaam.
B: Aangenaam.
At a reception desk
A: Wat is uw naam?
B: Mijn naam is Maria Kostova.
A: En wat is uw voornaam?
B: Maria.
A: En uw achternaam?
B: Kostova.
Which sentence fits the situation?
| Situation | Natural Dutch |
|---|---|
| You introduce yourself to a new colleague. | Hoi, ik ben Sam. |
| You ask another parent’s name. | Hoe heet je? |
| You politely ask a new client’s name. | Hoe heet u? |
| A receptionist asks for your name. | Wat is uw naam? |
| You give your surname. | Mijn achternaam is Petrova. |
| You respond politely after an introduction. | Aangenaam. |
People in the Netherlands often move to first names quickly, including at work. If somebody says Zeg maar Anna, they mean: “You can call me Anna.” You can then use their first name and normally speak to them with je.
Before you practise
You do not need to memorise every variation. Start with these four building blocks:
- Ik heet… – to say your name;
- Hoe heet je? – to ask informally;
- Hoe heet u? – to ask politely;
- Mijn voornaam / achternaam is… – to give the requested part of your name.
Say each sentence aloud with your own name. Then practise changing the question from je to u. The exercises below will take you from recognising the phrases to building a complete name exchange yourself.
Now practise saying and asking names
Work through the exercises in order. You will begin by recognising the core phrases and finish by producing a short Dutch introduction yourself.
