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Alphabet & Pronunciation

Dutch letters and tricky sounds

The Latin alphabet, Dutch sounds

Dutch uses the 26 Latin letters, but several have sounds unlike English.

💬 Examples
het alfabet
het AL-fa-bet
the alphabet
📝 26 Latin letters
a, b, c
ah, bay, say
a, b, c
📝 Letter names differ from English
Vowel digraphs

Combinations like ij, ui, eu, oe and ie each spell one distinct sound.

📊 Common digraphs
Spelling Example Meaning Hint
ij fijn fine fayn
ui huis house rounded ow
eu deur door ur
oe boek book oo
ie niet not ee
💬 Examples
fijn
fayn
fine
📝 ij ≈ English 'ay'
huis
'house' with rounded mouth
house
📝 ui has no English equivalent
The Dutch g and ch

g and ch are a guttural sound made in the throat.

💬 Examples
goed
gh-oot (throaty g)
good
📝 g is pronounced in the throat
acht
akht
eight
📝 ch = the same guttural sound