Dutch for Americans
PHONETICS

Chapter 5: Dutch Consonants - Familiar Sounds

Learning Objectives

  • Review consonants that are similar to English
  • Note subtle differences in articulation
  • Practice consonant clusters common in Dutch

5.1 Overview

Many Dutch consonants are similar to English. This chapter covers these familiar sounds while noting important differences.

5.2 Consonants Nearly Identical to English

LetterIPANotes
b/b/Same as English, but see Chapter 8 on devoicing
d/d/Same as English (dental), but devoices finally
f/f/Same as English
h/h/Same as English
k/k/Same as English, less aspirated
l/l/”Clear” l, never “dark” like English final l
m/m/Same as English
n/n/Same as English
p/p/Same as English, less aspirated
s/s/Same as English
t/t/Same as English (dental), less aspirated
z/z/Same as English, but devoices finally

5.3 The Dutch “L” - Clear vs. Dark

Important Difference:

  • English has two “l” sounds: “clear” (beginning: “light”) and “dark” (end: “full”)
  • Dutch only has “clear” l, even at the end of words

Practice:

  • vol /vɔl/ - full (clear l, not like English “full”)
  • bal /bɑl/ - ball
  • veel /veːl/ - much/many
  • mel - doesn’t exist, but practice: melk /mɛlk/

Exercise: Say “feel” in English, noting the dark l. Now say Dutch veel with a bright, clear l - tongue tip touches behind upper teeth, tongue body stays low.

5.4 Less Aspiration

In English, p, t, k are pronounced with a puff of air (aspiration) at the beginning of stressed syllables. In Dutch, these are less aspirated.

Test: Hold your hand in front of your mouth.

  • English “pin” → strong puff
  • Dutch pin → less puff

Practice Words:

  • pak /pɑk/ - suit
  • tak /tɑk/ - branch
  • kan /kɑn/ - can

5.5 The Letters “V” and “W”

V /v/:

  • Like English “v” in standard Dutch
  • Some regional accents pronounce it more like /f/

Practice:

  • vis /vɪs/ - fish
  • van /vɑn/ - from
  • veel /veːl/ - much

W /ʋ/:

  • This is NOT like English “w”!
  • Dutch w is a labiodental approximant
  • Produced by bringing the lower lip close to the upper teeth (like “v”) but without friction

Practice:

  • wat /ʋɑt/ - what
  • waar /ʋaːr/ - where
  • water /ˈʋaːtər/ - water
  • wit /ʋɪt/ - white

Tip: Start to say “v” but make it softer/weaker. Don’t round your lips like for English “w.”

5.6 The Letter “J”

Dutch j = English “y” sound /j/

Practice:

  • ja /jaː/ - yes
  • jij /jɛi/ - you
  • jong /jɔŋ/ - young

5.7 Common Consonant Clusters

Dutch has many consonant clusters that may feel unfamiliar:

Beginning of Words:

  • schr-: schrijven /ˈsxrɛivən/ - to write
  • str-: straat /straːt/ - street
  • spr-: spreken /ˈspreːkən/ - to speak

End of Words:

  • -cht: nacht /nɑxt/ - night
  • -ngt: (rare)
  • -rst: eerst /eːrst/ - first

Practice Exercises

  1. Clear L Practice: Say these words ensuring a clear l throughout:

    • vol, bal, wel, stil

  2. W vs. V Contrast:

    • wat /ʋɑt/ vs. vat /vɑt/
    • weer /ʋeːr/ vs. ver /vɛr/

  3. Reduced Aspiration: Practice p, t, k with minimal air puff:

    • pak, tak, kap