Meaning
Scheduling a meeting or visit.
Cultural Background
The 'Agenda-cultuur' is real. Don't be surprised if a Dutch person pulls out their phone or paper diary immediately after you suggest meeting for coffee. Flemish people also use 'een afspraak maken', but they might be slightly more flexible with spontaneity than their Northern neighbors. In Dutch business, an 'afspraak' is often followed by a 'bevestiging' (confirmation) via email. It is not official until it is in the digital calendar. You cannot simply walk into a Dutch 'huisarts' (GP) office. You MUST make an appointment, usually by calling early in the morning.
The 'Graag' Rule
Always add 'graag' (please/gladly) to sound more polite: 'Ik wil graag een afspraak maken'.
Don't be late!
If you make an afspraak in the Netherlands, being 5 minutes late is considered a big deal.
Meaning
Scheduling a meeting or visit.
The 'Graag' Rule
Always add 'graag' (please/gladly) to sound more polite: 'Ik wil graag een afspraak maken'.
Don't be late!
If you make an afspraak in the Netherlands, being 5 minutes late is considered a big deal.
Agenda is King
If you want to see a Dutch friend, don't just drop by. Make an afspraak!
Test Yourself
Fill in the correct verb to complete the phrase.
Ik wil graag een afspraak ______ met de tandarts.
In Dutch, we always 'make' (maken) an appointment.
Which sentence is the most natural for booking a haircut?
How do you ask for a haircut appointment?
This uses the correct verb 'maken' and the correct preposition 'voor'.
Complete the dialogue between a patient and a receptionist.
Receptionist: 'Goedemorgen, waarmee kan ik u helpen?' Patient: 'Goedemorgen, ik wil graag ______ ______ ______ met dokter Jansen.'
This is the standard formal way to request a medical appointment.
Match the phrase to the correct situation.
When would you say 'Zullen we een afspraak maken om de cijfers te bekijken?'
The context of 'cijfers bekijken' (looking at figures) implies a professional setting.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Where to make an afspraak
Medical
- • Huisarts
- • Tandarts
- • Fysio
Personal
- • Kapper
- • Schoonheidsspecialist
Professional
- • Bank
- • Gemeente
- • Advocaat
Practice Bank
4 exercisesIk wil graag een afspraak ______ met de tandarts.
In Dutch, we always 'make' (maken) an appointment.
How do you ask for a haircut appointment?
This uses the correct verb 'maken' and the correct preposition 'voor'.
Receptionist: 'Goedemorgen, waarmee kan ik u helpen?' Patient: 'Goedemorgen, ik wil graag ______ ______ ______ met dokter Jansen.'
This is the standard formal way to request a medical appointment.
When would you say 'Zullen we een afspraak maken om de cijfers te bekijken?'
The context of 'cijfers bekijken' (looking at figures) implies a professional setting.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsNo, 'een afspraak doen' is incorrect. Always use 'maken'.
Use 'met' for the person (met de dokter) and 'bij' for the place (bij de praktijk).
You say 'Ik wil de afspraak afzeggen'.
No, it's for any formal or scheduled meeting, including the dentist or even a formal lunch.
Simply: 'Ik heb een afspraak'.
It sounds a bit clinical. For a romantic date, say 'Ik heb een date' or 'Ik ga op date'.
Yes, in the Netherlands, it is very normal to schedule things 2-4 weeks ahead.
An 'afspraak' is the meeting itself; 'overleg' is the act of consulting or discussing.
Yes, 'een afspraak maken' requires the article to be natural.
Say: 'Kan ik de afspraak verzetten?'
Related Phrases
afspreken
similarTo meet up or agree on something
een afspraak afzeggen
specialized formTo cancel an appointment
een afspraak verzetten
specialized formTo reschedule an appointment
een reservering maken
similarTo make a reservation
op afspraak
specialized formBy appointment only
