Shopping & Money in Dutch

Shopping in the Netherlands is a wonderful experience — from vibrant outdoor markets to modern shopping centres and charming neighbourhood shops. The Dutch are direct shoppers who know what they want. This guide gives you all the vocabulary and phrases you need to shop confidently and handle money in Dutch.

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Wist je dat?

The Albert Heijn supermarket chain was founded in 1887 and is now the largest in the Netherlands — you will find one on almost every Dutch high street! The Dutch also love their weekly outdoor markets. Amsterdam's Albert Cuypmarkt is one of the largest street markets in Europe.

🏪 Types of Shops

Emoji	Dutch	English
🛒	de supermarkt	supermarket
🧺	de markt	market (outdoor)
🏬	het winkelcentrum	shopping centre / mall
🥐	de bakkerij	bakery
🥩	de slagerij	butcher's
🐟	de viswinkel	fish shop
💊	de apotheek	pharmacy / chemist
👕	de kledingwinkel	clothing shop
📚	de boekhandel	bookshop
💐	de bloemist	florist
💻	de elektronicawinkel	electronics shop
👞	de schoenwinkel	shoe shop

💰 Money & Paying

The Netherlands uses the Euro (€). The Dutch are among Europe's most cashless societies — pinnen (paying by debit card) is preferred everywhere.

Emoji	Dutch	English
💶	de euro / de cent	euro / cent
💳	de pinpas / de bankpas	debit card
💳	de creditcard	credit card
💵	contant betalen	to pay cash
📱	pinnen	to pay by card
🧾	het bonnetje / de bon	receipt
💸	de korting	discount
🏷️	de prijs / het prijskaartje	price / price tag
🔄	ruilen / terugbrengen	to exchange / return

💬 Essential Shopping Phrases

Dutch phrase	English
Hoeveel kost dit / dat?	How much does this / that cost?
Mag ik afrekenen?	Can I pay please?
Kan ik pinnen?	Can I pay by card?
Mag ik een bonnetje?	Can I have a receipt?
Ik zoek...	I am looking for...
Kunt u mij helpen?	Can you help me?
Is er korting op dit product?	Is there a discount on this?
Ik wil dit graag ruilen.	I would like to exchange this.
Nee dank u, ik kijk alleen maar.	No thank you, I am just looking.

🛒 At the Supermarket

Dutch	English
de kassa	checkout / till
het winkelmandje / het winkelwagentje	shopping basket / trolley
de aanbieding / in de aanbieding	special offer / on sale
de houdbaarheidsdatum	expiry / best before date
biologisch	organic
de zelfscankassa	self-checkout

Hoeveel kost dit? — Dat is twee euro vijftig. — Kan ik pinnen? — Ja, natuurlijk.How much is this? — That is €2.50. — Can I pay by card? — Yes, of course.

✏️ Practice Exercises

Translate into Dutch:

How much does this cost? → Hoeveel kost dit?
Can I pay by card? → Kan ik pinnen?
I am looking for the bakery. → Ik zoek de bakkerij.
Is there a discount? — Yes, it is on sale today. → Is er korting? — Ja, het is vandaag in de aanbieding.
Can I have a receipt, please? → Mag ik een bonnetje, alsjeblieft?