Animals are a fascinating area of Dutch vocabulary, and Dutch animal names often have wonderfully logical compound structures. The Netherlands loves animals â from pets and farm animals to the wildlife in national parks. This guide covers every category you need, from huisdieren (pets) to zeezoogdieren (sea mammals).
The Dutch word for hippopotamus is nijlpaard â which literally means "Nile horse"! Similarly, a rhinoceros is a neushoorn ("nose horn"). These compound words reveal exactly how Dutch speakers first encountered exotic animals â a great memory trick!
ðū Pets: Huisdieren
Around 60% of Dutch households have at least one pet. Pets are well-loved in the Netherlands!
| Emoji | Dutch | English | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| ð | de hond | dog | plural: honden |
| ð | de kat / de poes | cat | poes is more affectionate |
| ð | het konijn | rabbit | plural: konijnen |
| ðđ | de hamster | hamster | |
| ð | de vis | fish | plural: vissen |
| ðĶ | de vogel | bird | plural: vogels |
| ðĶ | de papegaai | parrot | |
| ðĒ | de schildpad | turtle / tortoise | literally "shield toad"! |
| ð | de slang | snake |
ð Farm Animals: Boerderijdieren
| Emoji | Dutch | English | Sound |
|---|---|---|---|
| ð | de koe | cow | boe! (moo!) |
| ð | de stier | bull | |
| ð | het varken | pig | knor! (oink!) |
| ð | het schaap | sheep | baa! |
| ð | de geit | goat | meh! |
| ðī | het paard | horse | hihi! (neigh!) |
| ð | de kip | chicken / hen | tok tok! (cluck!) |
| ð | de haan | rooster | kukeleku! (cock-a-doodle-doo!) |
| ðĶ | de eend | duck | kwak! (quack!) |
ðĶ Wild Animals: Wilde Dieren
| Emoji | Dutch | English |
|---|---|---|
| ðĶ | de leeuw | lion |
| ð | de olifant | elephant |
| ðĶ | de giraf | giraffe |
| ðŧ | de beer | bear |
| ðĶ | de vos | fox |
| ðš | de wolf | wolf |
| ðĶ | het hert | deer |
| ðĶ | de egel | hedgehog |
| ðŋïļ | de eekhoorn | squirrel |
| ðĶĒ | de zwaan | swan |
| ðĶ | de arend / de adelaar | eagle |
| ðļ | de kikker | frog |
ð Sea Creatures: Zeedieren
| Emoji | Dutch | English |
|---|---|---|
| ð | de walvis | whale |
| ðŽ | de dolfijn | dolphin |
| ðĶ | de zeehond | seal (literally "sea dog"!) |
| ð | de octopus / de inktvis | octopus / squid |
| ðĶ | de krab | crab |
| ðĶ | de kreeft | lobster |
| ðĶ | de haai | shark |
âïļ Practice Exercises
Translate into Dutch:
- I have a cat and two fish. â Ik heb een kat en twee vissen.
- What is your favourite animal? â Wat is jouw lievelingsdier?
- The cow says moo! â De koe zegt boe!
- Elephants are very intelligent animals. â Olifanten zijn heel intelligente dieren.
- I saw a fox in the garden yesterday. â Ik zag gisteren een vos in de tuin.
ð Continue Learning
- ð Food & Drinks â some animals end up on Dutch menus!
- ð Family & Relationships â talk about family pets
- ð De vs Het â de hond, het paard, de kat
- ð Dutch Plurals â hond â honden, vis â vissen
- ð Colors in Dutch â describe animal colors
ðŊ Ready to Test Your Dutch?
Take our free online Dutch level test â find out if you are A1, A2, B1 or higher in just 10 minutes!
ðŊ Take the Free Test Now â
Facebook
Instagram
TikTokðŊ Test Your Dutch Level!
Put your knowledge to the test with our free Dutch quiz covering vocabulary, grammar and more. Find out your level now!
ð Take the Dutch Level Test â