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Dutch for the building site: 60 words with plain-English glosses

A practical glossary: 60 words and phrases you will hear on site, each with a short English gloss. It is not a language course.

Updated 2026-11-07

Practical glossary for colleagues who are still learning Dutch. Every word has a short English gloss.

General

DutchMeaning
de bouwplaatsbuilding site
de voormanforeman, crew lead
de ploegcrew
de werkbonwork order
de opdrachtgeverclient
de tekeningdrawing
de planningschedule
de opleveringhandover
klaardone, finished
de urenhours
de pauzebreak
het overwerkovertime
ziekmeldento report sick
de loonstrookpayslip
het contractcontract

Safety

DutchMeaning
de helmhard hat
de veiligheidsschoenensafety boots
de handschoenengloves
de veiligheidsbrilsafety glasses
de gehoorbescherminghearing protection
het hesjehigh-vis vest
Let op!Watch out!
het gevaardanger
voorzichtigcareful
verbodenforbidden
de nooduitgangemergency exit
de EHBOfirst aid
het ongelukaccident
de brandblusserfire extinguisher
de spanningvoltage

Tools and electrical

DutchMeaning
de hamerhammer
de schroevendraaierscrewdriver
de boormachinedrill
de tangpliers
de waterpasspirit level
de ladderladder
de steigerscaffolding
de zaagsaw
de emmerbucket
de kabelcable
het stopcontactsocket
de schakelaarswitch
de meterkastmeter cupboard
de zekeringfuse
de aardlekschakelaarresidual-current device (RCD)

Building and materials

DutchMeaning
de muurwall
de vloerfloor
het plafondceiling
de verfpaint
de tegeltile
de kitsealant
het betonconcrete
het afvalwaste

Phrases on site

DutchMeaning
Ik begrijp het niet.I do not understand.
Kunt u dat herhalen?Can you repeat that?
Langzamer, alstublieft.Slower, please.
Waar is ...?Where is ...?
Wat moet ik doen?What should I do?
Dank u wel.Thank you.
Goedemorgen.Good morning.

Pronunciation in brief

  • g and ch: a rough throat sound, like Scottish 'loch'.
  • oe: a long 'oo' as in 'food'.
  • uu: like German 'ü' or French 'u'; round your lips and say 'ee'.
  • ij and ei sound the same, like 'ay' in 'day'.
  • ui: a sound between 'ow' and 'oy'.
  • sch: 's' followed by a rough 'ch'.

Frequently asked questions

How do I use this glossary?

Read the words aloud and ask a colleague or the foreman to say them on site. That is the fastest way to get used to the sounds.

What if I do not understand an instruction on site?

Say 'Ik begrijp het niet' and ask 'Kunt u dat herhalen?'. Never guess when safety is involved: ask the foreman until it is clear.

Sources

This is general information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the sources above.

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