The Dutch alphabet is the foundation of learning Dutch. It has 26 letters — the same as the English alphabet — but many are pronounced very differently. Mastering the Dutch alphabet will help you read, spell and understand Dutch words from the very beginning.
📋 The Dutch Alphabet — Complete Table
| Letter | Dutch name | Pronunciation tip | Example word |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | aa | like 'a' in father | appel (apple) |
| B | bee | like English B | boek (book) |
| C | see | like S or K | café (café) |
| D | dee | like English D | deur (door) |
| E | ee | like 'e' in bed or 'ay' | eten (to eat) |
| F | ef | like English F | fiets (bicycle) |
| G | gee | guttural, like Scottish loch | goed (good) |
| H | haa | like English H | huis (house) |
| I | ie | like 'ee' in see | ik (I) |
| J | jee | like English Y | ja (yes) |
| K | kaa | like English K | kat (cat) |
| L | el | like English L | lamp (lamp) |
| M | em | like English M | moeder (mother) |
| N | en | like English N | nacht (night) |
| O | oo | like 'o' in go | oud (old) |
| P | pee | like English P | pen (pen) |
| Q | kuu | rare, only in loanwords | quiz (quiz) |
| R | er | rolled or guttural | regen (rain) |
| S | es | like English S | school (school) |
| T | tee | like English T | tafel (table) |
| U | uu | like French U | uur (hour) |
| V | vee | like F or V | vis (fish) |
| W | wee | between V and W | water (water) |
| X | ix | like KS | xylofoon (xylophone) |
| Y | ij / Griekse ij | like EE | yoghurt |
| Z | zet | like English Z | zee (sea) |
🔊 The Most Difficult Dutch Letters
Several Dutch letters trip up English speakers. Here are the most challenging ones explained:
The Dutch G
The Dutch G is one of the most recognisable sounds in the language. It is a guttural fricative produced at the back of the throat — similar to clearing your throat gently. Think of the sound in the Scottish word loch. Examples: goed (good), groot (big), gaan (to go).
The Dutch R
The Dutch R varies by region. In the south it is often rolled (similar to Spanish). In Amsterdam and northern areas it tends to be more guttural. Examples: rood (red), regen (rain), rijden (to drive).
The Dutch W
The Dutch W sounds between an English W and V. Your lips should come close together but not fully touch. Examples: water, werk (work), wonen (to live).
The Dutch IJ and EI
Both IJ and EI are pronounced the same — like the English word eye or I. Examples: zijn (to be), mijn (my), wijn (wine), ei (egg).
🔤 Dutch Digraphs — Two-Letter Combinations
Dutch has several important two-letter combinations called digraphs:
| Digraph | Sound | Example |
|---|---|---|
| IJ | like 'eye' | wijn (wine), zijn (to be) |
| EI | like 'eye' | ei (egg), trein (train) |
| OU / AU | like 'ow' in cow | oud (old), auto (car) |
| UI | no English equivalent | huis (house), uit (out) |
| OE | like 'oo' in food | boek (book), moeder (mother) |
| EU | like French eu | deur (door), neus (nose) |
💡 Tips for Learning the Dutch Alphabet
- Practise spelling your own name in Dutch out loud
- Listen to Dutch radio or podcasts to hear native pronunciation
- Focus on G, R, W, IJ and UI first — these are the biggest differences from English
- Use Dutch words you already know (like stroopwafel or fiets) to practise sounds
- Watch Dutch TV with subtitles to connect sounds with written words
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
How many letters are in the Dutch alphabet?
The Dutch alphabet has 26 letters, exactly the same as English. However several letters are pronounced very differently.
How do you pronounce the Dutch G?
The Dutch G is a guttural sound made at the back of the throat, similar to the sound in the Scottish word loch. It takes some practice but becomes natural over time.
What is the hardest Dutch letter for English speakers?
Most learners find the G and the vowel combination UI the hardest. The G requires a guttural sound and UI has no direct equivalent in English.
Is the Dutch alphabet the same as English?
Dutch uses the same 26 Latin letters as English but the pronunciation of many letters is very different, especially G, R, W, IJ and EI.
Want to expand your Dutch vocabulary?
Check out our complete guide to the 1000 most common Dutch words with translations and examples.
📖 See 1000 Most Common Dutch Words →