Signification
Asking for directions.
Contexte culturel
Dutch people are very direct. If you ask for the station, they will give you the shortest path without much small talk. In Flanders, people might use 'geraken' instead of 'komen'. The tone might also be slightly more formal. The 'Centraal Station' is often the pride of the city. Amsterdam Centraal and Rotterdam Centraal are architectural landmarks. Many people go to the station by bike. You might see thousands of bikes parked outside.
Use 'Pardon'
Always start with 'Pardon' or 'Excuseer' to be polite when stopping a stranger.
Het, not De
Never say 'de station'. It is a very obvious error to native speakers.
Signification
Asking for directions.
Use 'Pardon'
Always start with 'Pardon' or 'Excuseer' to be polite when stopping a stranger.
Het, not De
Never say 'de station'. It is a very obvious error to native speakers.
Add 'het snelst'
Add 'het snelst' to the end to get the quickest route, not just any route.
Directness
Don't be offended if the answer is very short. It's helpful, not rude!
Teste-toi
Fill in the missing verb.
Hoe ___ ik bij het station?
'Kom' is the most idiomatic verb for asking directions in this phrase.
Which article is correct for 'station'?
Hoe kom ik bij ___ station?
'Station' is a neuter noun and always takes 'het'.
Complete the dialogue.
Pardon, ___ ___ ___ bij het station?
This completes the standard phrase for asking directions.
Match the phrase to the situation.
You are lost and see a local resident.
This is the correct phrase for asking for directions.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesHoe ___ ik bij het station?
'Kom' is the most idiomatic verb for asking directions in this phrase.
Hoe kom ik bij ___ station?
'Station' is a neuter noun and always takes 'het'.
Pardon, ___ ___ ___ bij het station?
This completes the standard phrase for asking directions.
You are lost and see a local resident.
This is the correct phrase for asking for directions.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsYes, 'naar het station' is also correct and very common. 'Bij' is slightly more idiomatic for landmarks.
In the Netherlands, yes. For buses, you say 'busstation' or 'halte'.
Just say 'het Centraal Station'.
You can still use 'Hoe kom ik bij...', but 'Hoe rijd ik naar...' is more specific.
Yes, it is neutral. For extra politeness, add 'Kunt u mij vertellen...'.
Yes, Dutch requires a subject. You can also use 'we' if you are with a group.
Stations (pronounced sta-shons).
Yes, but usually people say 'het metrostation'.
Ik ben op het station.
Dutch uses 'komen' to mean 'to get to a destination'. 'Gaan' is more about the act of traveling.
Expressions liées
Waar is het station?
synonymWhere is the station?
De weg naar het station
similarThe way to the station
Hoe ver is het station?
builds onHow far is the station?
Ik zoek het station
similarI am looking for the station
