Bedeutung
Seeking medical help.
Kultureller Hintergrund
The 'Huisarts' (GP) is the central figure. You cannot see a specialist without a referral from them. They are very conservative with prescriptions. In Belgium, the system is slightly more direct; patients can sometimes go directly to specialists, but 'de dokter bezoeken' still primarily refers to the GP (huisarts). In Surinamese Dutch, medical care is often discussed with a mix of formal Dutch and Sranan Tongo influences, but 'de dokter bezoeken' remains the standard formal expression. On islands like Curaçao or Aruba, 'de dokter bezoeken' is used, but due to the heat, medical issues often relate to hydration or tropical ailments.
The Paracetamol Rule
Don't be surprised if the doctor tells you to just take paracetamol. It's a standard part of 'visiting the doctor' in the NL.
Use 'Huisarts'
While 'dokter' is fine, using the word 'huisarts' makes you sound more like a native speaker who understands the system.
Bedeutung
Seeking medical help.
The Paracetamol Rule
Don't be surprised if the doctor tells you to just take paracetamol. It's a standard part of 'visiting the doctor' in the NL.
Use 'Huisarts'
While 'dokter' is fine, using the word 'huisarts' makes you sound more like a native speaker who understands the system.
No 'Naar' with 'Bezoeken'
Remember: 'Ik bezoek de dokter' (Correct) vs 'Ik bezoek naar de dokter' (Incorrect).
Teste dich selbst
Fill in the correct form of 'bezoeken'.
Ik ben ziek, dus ik ___ de dokter.
The subject is 'Ik', so the verb stem 'bezoek' is used.
Which sentence is grammatically correct?
Choose the correct sentence:
'Bezoeken' does not need 'naar' and the verb comes second in a main clause.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Waarom ben je niet op het feest? B: Ik voel me niet goed, ik moet ___.
After the modal verb 'moet', we use the infinitive 'bezoeken' at the end of the sentence.
Match the Dutch phrase with its English meaning.
Match the pairs:
Matching tenses and modal verbs correctly.
In which situation would you say 'Ik moet de dokter bezoeken'?
Choose the best situation:
Visiting the doctor is for health issues like a fever.
🎉 Ergebnis: /5
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Aufgabensammlung
5 AufgabenIk ben ziek, dus ik ___ de dokter.
The subject is 'Ik', so the verb stem 'bezoek' is used.
Choose the correct sentence:
'Bezoeken' does not need 'naar' and the verb comes second in a main clause.
A: Waarom ben je niet op het feest? B: Ik voel me niet goed, ik moet ___.
After the modal verb 'moet', we use the infinitive 'bezoeken' at the end of the sentence.
Ordne jedem Element links seinen Partner rechts zu:
Matching tenses and modal verbs correctly.
Choose the best situation:
Visiting the doctor is for health issues like a fever.
🎉 Ergebnis: /5
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenYes, if it's any doctor. But usually, you have one specific GP, so 'de dokter' is more common.
Slightly. 'Naar de dokter gaan' is more common in casual chat, but 'bezoeken' is never wrong.
You can still say 'de dokter bezoeken', but people often say 'de specialist bezoeken' or 'naar het ziekenhuis gaan'.
Use the past tense: 'Ik heb de dokter bezocht.'
Yes, in the Netherlands, you almost always need to call ahead and 'een afspraak maken'.
Technically yes, but 'naar de tandarts gaan' is 100% more common.
No, for animals you 'bezoek de dierenarts' (visit the vet).
It is always 'de dokter'.
De dokters bezoeken. (To visit the doctors).
Yes, any professional reason to be there counts as 'bezoeken'.
Verwandte Redewendungen
naar de dokter gaan
similarTo go to the doctor
een afspraak maken
builds onTo make an appointment
op spreekuur komen
specialized formTo come during consultation hours
de apotheek bezoeken
similarTo visit the pharmacy
