Introduction: Meeting New People

After mastering basic greetings, the next essential step is knowing how to introduce yourself and ask others for their names. This allows you to start conversations and build connections. This chapter focuses on the common phrases used in Dutch for introductions, paying attention to the important distinction between formal (u) and informal (je) situations.

Saying Who You Are

There are two primary ways to state your name in Dutch:

• Ik ben [Your Name].
• Translation: "I am [Your Name]."
• Usage: This is the most common, natural, and versatile way to introduce yourself. It works well in almost all situations, from casual meetups to more formal settings. Think of it as the default way to state your name.
• Example: "Hallo, ik ben Mark."

• Mijn naam is [Your Name].
• Translation: "My name is [Your Name]."
• Usage: This is also perfectly correct but sounds slightly more formal or deliberate than Ik ben.... You might use it in a very formal introduction, perhaps in a business meeting or when consciously emphasizing your name.
• Example: "Goedendag, mijn naam is Professor Jansen."

Tip: For everyday use, stick with Ik ben.... It sounds more fluid and less stiff.

Asking for Someone's Name

When asking for someone's name, you MUST consider whether to use the informal je/jouw or the formal u/uw form. Using the wrong one can be impolite.

• Hoe heet je?
• Translation: "What are you called?" (Informal)
• Usage: This is the standard and most common informal way to ask for someone's name. Use it with peers, friends, children, or anyone you would address with je.
• Example: (To someone your age at a party) "Hoi, ik ben Anna. Hoe heet je?"

• Hoe heet u?
• Translation: "What are you called?" (Formal)
• Usage: This is the standard formal way to ask for someone's name. Use it when addressing older people, strangers (especially in formal contexts like shops or offices), officials, or anyone you need to show respect to and would address with u.
• Example: (To a potential business client) "Goedemiddag, mijn naam is De Wit. Hoe heet u?"

• Wat is jouw naam?
• Translation: "What is your name?" (Informal)
• Usage: While grammatically correct, this phrasing is less common in everyday conversation than Hoe heet je?. It can sound a bit direct or even slightly childish in some contexts, though it's perfectly understandable.

• Wat is uw naam?
• Translation: "What is your name?" (Formal)
• Usage: Similar to its informal counterpart, this is less frequently used than Hoe heet u?. It's grammatically correct but might sound a bit more bureaucratic or less natural than the heten form.

Key Distinction: The verb heten means "to be called" or "to be named." Asking Hoe heet je/u? is generally the preferred and most idiomatic way to ask for a name in Dutch.

Responding: "Nice to Meet You"

After names have been exchanged, it's polite to express pleasure at meeting the person:

• Aangenaam (kennis te maken). or simply Aangenaam.
• Translation: "Pleasant (to make acquaintance)." / "Nice to meet you."
• Usage: This is a very common and versatile response suitable for both formal and informal situations. Often, just Aangenaam. is sufficient.
• Example: "Ik ben Peter." - "Hallo Peter, ik ben Lisa. Aangenaam."

• Leuk je te ontmoeten.
• Translation: "Nice to meet you." (Informal)
• Usage: Use this in informal settings when you have addressed the person with je.
• Example: "Hoi, ik ben Tom." - "Hoi Tom, Sanne. Leuk je te ontmoeten."

• Leuk u te ontmoeten.
• Translation: "Nice to meet you." (Formal)
• Usage: Use this in formal settings when you have addressed the person with u.
• Example: "Mijn naam is mevrouw De Jong." - "Goedendag mevrouw De Jong, meneer Pietersen. Leuk u te ontmoeten."

Example Dialogue (Informal)

Alex: Hoi! Bas: Hoi! Alex: Ik ben Alex. Hoe heet je? Bas: Ik ben Bas. Aangenaam. Alex: Leuk je te ontmoeten, Bas.

Example Dialogue (Formal)

Mr. Smit: Goedemiddag. Ms. Vries: Goedemiddag. Mr. Smit: Mijn naam is Smit. Hoe heet u? Ms. Vries: Ik ben De Vries. Aangenaam. Mr. Smit: Leuk u te ontmoeten, mevrouw De Vries.

By using these phrases correctly, considering formality, you can confidently introduce yourself and meet new people in Dutch.