There are two ways to tell someone where you come from. The first one is by saying where you come from, which uses the country name (a noun). The second is by describing your nationality using an adjective.
1. Asking where someone comes from
Waar komt u vandaan? : Where do you come from? (using the formal “u”)
Waar kom je vandaan? : Where do you come from?
Ik kom uit Amerika. : I come from America.
Waar woon je? : Where do you live/reside?
Ik woon in Amsterdam. : I live in Amsterdam
*Caution! In Dutch, the verb “leven” is literally to live, as in the act of being alive and breathing. The verb “wonen” is used to describe a place where you have resided. Thus, although “wonen” can translate as to live, try to keep it separate in your head by thinking of “wonen” as I resided in. It sounds a bit formal and stuffy in English, but it makes all the difference in daily conversation.
2. Asking someone’s nationality
Ben je Fins? : Are you Finnish?
Nee, ik ben niet Fins. Ik ben Amerikaans. : No I am not Finnish. I am American.
In this list, you will find the Dutch name for many countries, and the adjective to describe someone from that country. Leave us a message in the comments section and tell us where you come from!
| France |
Frankrijk |
| French |
Frans |
| Spain |
Spanje |
| Spaans |
Spanish |
| England/United Kingdom |
Engeland/Verenigde Koninkrijk |
| English |
Engels |
| Belgium |
België |
| Belgian |
Belgish |
| Netherlands |
Nederland |
| Dutch |
Nederlands |
| Portugal |
Portugal |
| Portuguese |
Portugees |
| Germany |
Duitsland |
| German |
Duits |
| Finland |
Finland |
| Finnish |
Fins |
| Sweden |
Zweden |
| Swedish |
Zweeds |
| Norway |
Noorwegen |
| Norwegian |
Noors |
| Hungary |
Hongarije |
| Hungarian |
Hongaars |
| Denmark |
Denemarken |
| Danish |
Deens |
| Russia |
Rusland |
| Russian |
Russisch |
| Poland |
Polen |
| Polish |
Pools |
| Turkey |
Turkije |
| Turkish |
Turks |
| Morocco |
Marokko |
| Moroccan |
Morokkaans |
| Egypt |
Egypte |
| Egyptian |
Egyptisch |
| Greece |
Griekenland |
| Greek |
Grieks |
| Italy |
Italië |
| Italian |
Italiaans |
| Japan |
Japan |
| Japanese |
Japans |
| China |
China |
| Chinese |
Chinees |
| Thailand |
Thailand |
| Thai |
Thais |
| Indonesia |
Indonesië |
| Indonesian |
Indonesisch |
| India |
India |
| Indian |
Indiaas |
| New Zealand (country) |
Nieuw Zeeland |
| New Zealand (nationality) |
Nieuw Zeelands |
| Australia |
Australië |
| Australian |
Australisch |
| America/United States |
Amerika/Verenigde Staten |
| American |
Amerikaans |
| Canada |
Canada |
| Canadian |
Canadees |
| Mexico |
Mexico |
| Mexican |
Mexicaans |
Comments:
Vladimir:
Ik heet Vladimir en ik woon in Tsjechië.
sarah:
@Vladimir Hoi Vladimir,
Groetjes uit Amsterdam!
-Sarah
Jerick:
And how do you say Philippines & Filipino? My previous dutch teachers are somewhat saying different words when I asked them…
Bedankt
sarah:
@Jerick Hi Jerick,
The country is de Filippijnen, it is a plural word. If you are from the Philippines you are Filippijns. This comes from the Van Dale Groot Woordenboek, the biggest collection of Dutch words you can find. Hope that helps!
Paul Meijer:
Waar kom je uit is wrong.
Het moet zijn: Waar kom je vandaan.
sarah:
@Paul Meijer Hoi Paul,
Je hebt gelijk, en ik heb het veranderd. Bedankt!
zyto:
Hoi,
Ik woon in Libanon.
Ik ben libanees.
Tot ziens!
sarah:
@zyto Tot ziens Zyto!