Bedeutung
Asking to move through a crowd.
Kultureller Hintergrund
Dutch people value their personal space but are very pragmatic about it being limited in public. Using this phrase is seen as being efficient and clear, which are highly valued traits. In Flanders, the phrase is also used, but you might hear 'Mag ik even passeren?' more often than in the Netherlands. The tone is often slightly softer. Many expats find the phrase too direct at first, but they soon realize that NOT saying it and just trying to squeeze through is considered much ruder. There is an unwritten rule: people exiting the train have priority. If you are blocking the exit, expect to hear this phrase multiple times in a row.
The Power of 'Even'
Never forget the word 'even'. It is the secret ingredient that turns a command into a polite request in Dutch.
Don't just push
Dutch people are direct, but physical pushing without saying anything is considered very rude. Always use the phrase first.
Bedeutung
Asking to move through a crowd.
The Power of 'Even'
Never forget the word 'even'. It is the secret ingredient that turns a command into a polite request in Dutch.
Don't just push
Dutch people are direct, but physical pushing without saying anything is considered very rude. Always use the phrase first.
Eye Contact
A small nod or brief eye contact while saying this makes you look like a local.
Teste dich selbst
Fill in the missing words to make the phrase polite and natural.
Mag ik ___ ___ langs?
The combination 'er even' is the standard way to soften the request in Dutch.
Match the phrase to the correct situation.
You are on a bus and need to reach the door.
This is the standard phrase for moving through people to reach an exit.
Which version is the MOST polite?
Choose the best option for an elderly person.
Using 'Zou' (conditional) and 'alstublieft' (formal please) makes it very respectful.
Complete the dialogue.
You: 'Pardon, mag ik er even langs?' Stranger: '...'
This is the standard, polite response from a native speaker.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Where to use 'Mag ik er even langs?'
Transport
- • Train
- • Tram
- • Bus
Shopping
- • Supermarket
- • Market
- • Mall
Social
- • Bar
- • Party
- • Concert
Aufgabensammlung
4 AufgabenMag ik ___ ___ langs?
The combination 'er even' is the standard way to soften the request in Dutch.
You are on a bus and need to reach the door.
This is the standard phrase for moving through people to reach an exit.
Choose the best option for an elderly person.
Using 'Zou' (conditional) and 'alstublieft' (formal please) makes it very respectful.
You: 'Pardon, mag ik er even langs?' Stranger: '...'
This is the standard, polite response from a native speaker.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenYes, it's understood, but adding 'even' makes you sound much more like a native speaker and less like a robot.
No, this is for people walking. For a car, you would use your horn (politely) or wait.
Say it slightly louder and add 'Pardon!' at the beginning. 'PARDON, mag ik er even langs?'
It is always 'langs'. 'Langst' is the superlative of 'lang' (longest), which is a different word.
The phrase 'Mag ik er even langs?' doesn't actually use 'u' or 'je', which makes it perfect for any situation!
You can, but it sounds very formal. It's like saying 'May I pass?' instead of 'Can I get by?'
It's a placeholder for 'the place where you are standing'. It makes the sentence grammatically complete.
Yes, it's perfectly understood and used in Flanders, though they have their own regional variations too.
A small, neutral smile or a polite look is best. You don't need to overdo it.
Usually 'O, sorry!' or 'Natuurlijk!' (Of course!).
Verwandte Redewendungen
Mag ik er even door?
similarMay I get through?
Pardon
similarExcuse me
Opzij!
contrastMove aside!
Ga uw gang
builds onGo ahead
