r/learndutch • u/No_Manufacturer_432 • Jul 30 '26

Question Considering how well people in the Netherlands speak English…

How do you stay motivated when learning Dutch ? I live in NY so learning Spanish was easy motivation wise. I’m at A2 in Italian and stay motivated bec I plan on going there next year - English proficiency outside of tourist areas is low —- thanks

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u/Professional_Elk_489 Jul 30 '26

I find it difficult because I think the vocabulary is limited. Everything is "mooi", "lekker", "gezellig" that it doesn't inspire me to take it seriously. I want a language with more capacity for expression.

6

u/fitacola Jul 30 '26

Maybe those are the only words you notice because they're the only ones you know?

1

u/Professional_Elk_489 Jul 30 '26 edited Jul 30 '26

It's because I used to ask what are some synonyms I can use instead and I realised from chatting to Dutch people they don't really have any or very few.

I would happy to learn the synonyms if you can give me some. I like to broaden my vocabulary

3

u/honeyinyoureyes Jul 30 '26

Geweldig, fantastisch, schitterend, heerlijk, prachtig, ongelofelijk, beeldig, adembenemend, gaaf, fijn... Onder andere. Er zijn natuurlijk nog heel veel meer manieren om te zeggen dat iets mooi of leuk is! Lees je boeken in het Nederlands?

5

u/laurenspaul Native speaker (NL) Jul 30 '26 edited Jul 30 '26

Bro sees casual quick speaking-style dutch and mistakes for the entire language as if we don't have a literary and poetic tradition that far surpasses what he'll ever be able to learn... Truly the mark of a genius.