Basic Words

1. Ja

   Yes

   Usage

   The basic word for yes

   Grammar Note

   Spelled like Dutch "ja". To add warmth, say "Ja, graach" (yes, please)

2. Nee

   No

   Usage

   The basic word for no

   Grammar Note

   Spelled like Dutch "nee"

3. Asjebleaft

   Please / Here you are

   Usage

   One word for both asking politely and handing something over. Not the Dutch "alsjeblieft" or "alstublieft"

   Grammar Note

   For polite requests it can follow the sentence (…, asjebleaft). The variant "asjeblyft" exists, but "asjebleaft" is the preferred form

4. Tige tank

   Thank you very much

   Usage

   Standard way to thank someone, fine in any register. Not the Dutch "Dank u wel"

   Grammar Note

   "tank" is the noun "thanks"; it corresponds to Dutch "dank" but starts with t

5. Pardon

   Excuse me

   Usage

   Used when you bump into someone or to get a person's attention

   Grammar Note

   A loanword spelled as in Dutch and French

6. It spyt my.

   I am sorry.

   Usage

   Standard way to apologise, fine with anyone

   Grammar Note

   Literally "it is regrettable to me". "spyt" is the 3rd person singular of the verb "spite"

7. It is yn oarder.

   It is OK.

   Usage

   Used to say that something is fine or that no harm is done

   Grammar Note

   "yn oarder" is a fixed expression meaning "in order"

8. Ik begryp it net.

   I don't understand.

   Usage

   Basic phrase when you do not follow what was said

   Grammar Note

   Negation "net" comes after the object "it". Not the Dutch "niet"

9. Ik begryp it.

   I understand.

   Usage

   Used when you have understood an explanation

   Grammar Note

   The verb is the 1st person singular "begryp" of the infinitive "begripe"

10. Ik bin klear.

    I am finished.

    Usage

    Used when you have finished a meal or a task

    Grammar Note

    "klear" can mean both finished and ready

11. Wachtsje efkes, asjebleaft.

    Please wait a moment.

    Usage

    Used to ask someone to wait a little

    Grammar Note

    "wachtsje" is the imperative. "efkes" means "for a moment"

12. In momint.

    Just a moment.

    Usage

    A short way to say you need or will take a moment

    Grammar Note

    The article "in" means "a"; it is a separate word from the numeral "ien"

13. Ien folwoeksene, asjebleaft.

    One adult, please.

    Usage

    Used when buying an entry or travel ticket

    Grammar Note

    The numeral "ien" goes before the noun. "folwoeksene" means "adult"

14. Ik haw gjin reservearring.

    I don't have a reservation.

    Usage

    Tells a hotel or restaurant that you have no booking

    Grammar Note

    To negate a noun use "gjin", not "net". "haw" is the 1st person singular of "hawwe"

15. Ik haw in reservearring.

    I have a reservation.

    Usage

    Tells the staff you have booked in advance

    Grammar Note

    The plural uses "hawwe" (wy hawwe), not "haw"

16. Help my, asjebleaft!

    Please help me!

    Usage

    Asks for help when you are in trouble

    Grammar Note

    "help" is the imperative of "helpe"

17. Noch ien kear, asjebleaft.

    Once more, please.

    Usage

    Asks someone to repeat what you did not catch

    Grammar Note

    "kear" means "time". "noch ien kear" means "one more time"

18. Prate jo stadiger, asjebleaft.

    Please speak more slowly.

    Usage

    A polite request when someone speaks too fast

    Grammar Note

    Polite "jo" takes the plural verb form (jo prate). "stadiger" is the comparative of "stadich" (slow)

19. Ik praat in bytsje Frysk.

    I speak a little Frisian.

    Usage

    Says you speak some Frisian. Language names start with a capital letter

    Grammar Note

    1st person singular "praat" (infinitive "prate"). "in bytsje" means "a little"

20. Prate jo Ingelsk?

    Do you speak English?

    Usage

    Polite way to ask a stranger. With friends, "do" is used and the verb takes -sto (composed: Praatsto Ingelsk?)

    Grammar Note

    Polite "jo" takes the plural verb form (jo prate, jo hawwe, jo binne). "Ingelsk" is capitalised

21. dit

    This (one)

    Usage

    Used together with pointing at something close by

    Grammar Note

    "dit" is the neuter "this". For something farther away use "dat"

22. dat

    That (one)

    Usage

    Points to something a bit farther away or held by the other person

    Grammar Note

    "dat" is the neuter "that"

23. dat dêr

    That one over there

    Usage

    Used to pick out something far away

    Grammar Note

    "dêr" means "there". Keep the circumflex on the ê

24. hjir

    Here

    Usage

    Basic word for a nearby place

    Grammar Note

    The spelling corresponding to Dutch "hier"

25. dêr

    There

    Usage

    Basic word for a place farther away

    Grammar Note

    The word corresponding to Dutch "daar". It carries the circumflex ê

26. ik

    I / Me

    Usage

    Basic word for referring to yourself

    Grammar Note

    "ik" is the subject form; the object form is "my"

27. jo

    You (polite)

    Usage

    The polite "you" for strangers and elders; use "do" with friends

    Grammar Note

    "jo" takes plural verb forms (jo hawwe, jo binne) and is written in lowercase

28. tegearre

    Together

    Usage

    Used when doing something with others

    Grammar Note

    An adverb, as in "Wy gean tegearre" (we go together)

29. fuortendaliks

    Right now

    Usage

    An adverb for urgent requests

    Grammar Note

    "fuortendaliks" is the preferred spelling. Not the Dutch "ogenblikkelijk"

30. ien persoan

    One person

    Usage

    Used to state the size of your party

    Grammar Note

    The noun after "ien" stays singular

31. twa persoanen

    Two people

    Usage

    Used to state the size of your party

    Grammar Note

    The plural of "persoan" is "persoanen"

32. trije persoanen

    Three people

    Usage

    Used to state the size of your party

    Grammar Note

    "trije" is "three"; the spelling differs from Dutch "drie"

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