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How to Say Your Country and Nationality in Dutch Posted by on May 4, 2010 in Dutch Language

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
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Comments:

  1. Vladimir:

    Ik heet Vladimir en ik woon in Tsjechië.

    • sarah:

      @Vladimir Hoi Vladimir,

      Groetjes uit Amsterdam!

      -Sarah

  2. 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!

  3. 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!

  4. zyto:

    Hoi,
    Ik woon in Libanon.
    Ik ben libanees.
    Tot ziens!

    • sarah:

      @zyto Tot ziens Zyto!