Travel should be safe and enjoyable, but sometimes things go wrong. Whether it’s a medical emergency, losing your belongings, getting into an accident, or needing help from authorities, knowing how to communicate in Dutch could be crucial. The Netherlands is quite safe overall, but being prepared with emergency language is essential for any traveler. This guide covers the vocabulary and phrases you need if an emergency situation arises.
The good news: The Netherlands is one of the safest countries in the world, and Dutch emergency services are excellent. People in emergency situations will speak English if needed, but being able to communicate in Dutch could save valuable time and ensure clarity. This chapter covers medical emergencies, police situations, lost belongings, and other safety concerns you might face.
Calling Emergency Services
112 is the universal emergency number in the Netherlands for police, ambulance, and fire services. Knowing how to call and communicate in Dutch could be lifesaving.
Ik wil de politie/ambulance/brandweer bellen (ik vil duh poh-lee-TEE / AM-boo-lahns-uh / BRANT-vair BEL-un) – I want to call the police/ambulance/fire department
You might say this to someone to ask them to call for you if you’re injured.
Bel 112! (BEL HAHN-twaalf!) – Call 112!
An urgent command if someone needs to call emergency services.
Ik heb een ongeluk gehad (ik hep ayn ON-khuh-luk khuh-HAHT) – I’ve had an accident
Opening statement when calling emergency services about an accident.
Er is een medisch noodgeval (er is ayn MAY-dis NOHT-khuh-val) – There is a medical emergency
When calling about a health crisis.
Iemand is gewond (EE-mahnt is khuh-VONT) – Someone is injured
Reporting an injury.
Iemand atemt niet (EE-mahnt AH-temt neet) – Someone is not breathing
Critical emergency statement for unconscious person.
Iemand is onwel (EE-mahnt is ON-vel) – Someone is unwell/passed out
General statement about someone in distress.
Wat is je adres? (VAT is yuh AH-dres?) – What is your address?
Emergency services will ask this. Have your location ready.
Waar ben je? (VAHR ben yuh?) – Where are you?
If you can’t clearly give an address, describe your location.
Ik ben op… straat (ik ben op… STRAHT) – I am on… street
Giving a location reference.
Bij het station (by het stah-SHOHN) – At the train station
Landmark reference for location.
Hoeveel gewonden? (HOO-vayl khuh-VON-dun?) – How many injured?
Question emergency services might ask.
Een persoon (ayn per-SOHN) – One person
Answering about the number of people who need help.
Wacht alstublieft (VAKT ALS-too-BLEEFT) – Please wait
What emergency dispatcher will tell you while they send help.
Medical Emergencies and Healthcare
If you need medical help:
Ik ben ziek (ik ben ZEEK) – I am sick
Basic statement of illness.
Ik heb pijn (ik hep PAYN) – I have pain
Reporting pain.
Waar heb je pijn? (VAHR heb yuh PAYN?) – Where does it hurt?
Question you’ll be asked.
In mijn borst (in myn BORST) – In my chest
Location of pain.
In mijn buik (in myn BUWK) – In my stomach
Location of pain.
In mijn been (in myn BAYN) – In my leg
Location of pain.
In mijn arm (in myn ARM) – In my arm
Location of pain.
Ik kan niet ademen (ik kan neet AH-tum-un) – I cannot breathe
Critical symptom.
Ik ben flauwgevallen (ik ben FLAW-khuh-fahl-un) – I have fainted/passed out
Reporting loss of consciousness.
Ik ben allergisch voor… (ik ben al-er-KHEES VOOR…) – I am allergic to…
Follow with the allergen: “penicilline” (penicillin), “latex” (latex), “noten” (nuts), “schaaldiertjes” (shellfish), “pollen” (pollen).
Ik ben diabetisch (ik ben dee-ah-BAY-tis) – I am diabetic
Reporting a medical condition.
Ik ben zwanger (ik ben ZVANG-er) – I am pregnant
Important medical information.
Ik ben epileptisch (ik ben ep-i-LEP-tis) – I am epileptic
Reporting a medical condition.
Hartaanval (HART-ahn-val) – Heart attack
A life-threatening emergency.
Beroerte (buh-ROOT-uh) – Stroke
Another serious medical emergency.
Vergiftiging (ver-KIF-ti-ging) – Poisoning
If someone has ingested something toxic.
Injectie (in-JEK-tsee) – Injection/shot
What a doctor might give you.
Recept (ruh-SEP) – Prescription
For medication.
Pijnstiller (PAYN-stil-er) – Painkillers
Request for pain relief medication.
Verbandkist (ver-BANT-kist) – First aid kit
If you need basic supplies to treat a wound.
Antiseptisch (an-ti-SEP-tis) – Antiseptic
For cleaning wounds.
Gaas (KHHAS) – Gauze
Sterile dressing material.
Pleister (PLAY-ster) – Bandage/plaster
For covering minor wounds.
At the Hospital or Doctor’s Office
Ziekenhuis (ZEEK-un-hows) – Hospital
Where serious medical cases go.
Arts/Dokter (ARTS / DOK-ter) – Doctor
Both terms mean doctor, though “arts” is more formal.
Tandarts (TANT-arts) – Dentist
If you have a dental emergency.
Apotheek (ah-poh-TAYK) – Pharmacy
Where you get prescriptions filled.
Wachtruimte (VACHT-rum-tuh) – Waiting room
Where you wait to see a doctor.
Onderzoekskaimer (ON-der-zooks-kah-mer) – Examination room
Where doctors examine you.
Deze kleding uittrekken alstublieft (DAY-zuh KLAY-ding OWT-trek-un ALS-too-BLEEFT) – Please remove these clothes
What medical staff will ask during an exam.
Liggen alstublieft (LIK-hun ALS-too-BLEEFT) – Please lie down
Instruction from medical staff.
Diep ademen (DEEP AH-tuh-mun) – Breathe deeply
Instruction during medical examination.
Zeg ‘aaaa’ (ZEK AH) – Say ‘ahhh’
What a doctor asks when examining your throat.
Dit gaat een beetje zeer doen (dit KHAAT ayn BAY-chuh ZAIR doon) – This will hurt a little
Warning from medical staff.
Wat voor medicijnen neem je? (VAT voor muh-di-SAYN-un NAYM yuh?) – What medications do you take?
Question about your current medications.
Ben je op toerisme van een medicijn? (ben yuh op TUR-iz-muh van ayn muh-di-SAYN?) – Are you on any medication?
Similar question about current medications.
Mag ik een tweede mening krijgen? (MAKH ik ayn TWAY-duh MAY-ning KRAY-khun?) – Can I get a second opinion?
If you want another doctor’s assessment.
Hoeveel gaat dit kosten? (HOO-vayl KHAAT dit KOS-tun?) – How much will this cost?
Important question about medical expenses.
Wordt dit door verzekering gedekt? (vort dit dor ver-ZAY-kuh-ring khuh-DEKT?) – Will this be covered by insurance?
Question about insurance coverage.
Pharmacy and Medication
Een medicijn (ayn muh-di-SAYN) – A medication
Generic term for medicine.
Pijnstiller (PAYN-stil-er) – Pain reliever
Common medication request.
Antihistaminicum (an-tee-his-tah-MI-ni-kum) – Antihistamine
For allergies.
Antibiotica (an-ti-bee-OH-ti-kah) – Antibiotics
For bacterial infections.
Hoestsiroop (HOOST-sirup) – Cough syrup
For coughs.
Gordelroos (KHOR-dul-rohs) – Shingles medication
If you have shingles.
Ik heb last van misselijkheid (ik heb LAST van MIS-uh-lik-hyte) – I have nausea
Reporting an upset stomach.
Anti-braakpilletjes (AHN-tee-BRAHK-pil-tuh-yus) – Anti-nausea pills
Request for medication.
Kalmeermiddel (KAHL-mair-mid-ul) – Sedative/calming medication
If anxiety is an issue.
Slaapmiddel (SLAHP-mid-ul) – Sleep medication
For insomnia.
Hoeveel mag ik ervan nemen? (HOO-vayl MAKH ik AIR-van NAY-mun?) – How much can I take?
Dosage question.
Hoe vaak per dag? (HOO FAHK per DAKH?) – How many times per day?
Frequency question for medication.
Voor of na het eten? (VOOR of NAH het AY-tun?) – Before or after eating?
Question about taking medication with food.
Met hoeveel water? (met HOO-vayl WAH-ter?) – With how much water?
Clarification about taking medication.
Police and Legal Issues
If you need to interact with police:
Ik wil aangifte doen (ik vil AHN-khif-tuh DOON) – I want to report a crime
How you file a police report.
Ik ben beroofd (ik ben buh-ROHT) – I have been robbed
Reporting theft.
Mijn portemonnee is gestolen (myn por-tuh-MON-ay is khuh-STOH-lun) – My wallet has been stolen
Reporting a specific theft.
Mijn telefoon is weg (myn tuh-luh-FOHN is vekh) – My phone is missing
Reporting a lost or stolen phone.
Mijn paspoort is weg (myn PAS-port is vekh) – My passport is missing
Reporting a lost or stolen passport.
Waar is het politiebureau? (VAHR is het poh-lee-TEE-bu-roh?) – Where is the police station?
Finding the local police office.
Ik ben het slachtoffer van misdrijf (ik ben het SLAKH-tof-er van MIS-dryf) – I am a victim of crime
Reporting crime victimization.
Kun je me naar het bureau brengen? (KUN yuh muh NAHR het bu-ROH BRENG-un?) – Can you take me to the station?
Requesting transport to report crime.
Dit is het verhaalspoort waar het gebeurde (dit is het VER-hahl-sport vahr het khuh-BUR-duh) – This is the location where it happened
Providing location of crime.
Kun je me helpen een rapport in te dienen? (KUN yuh muh HEL-pun ayn rah-PORT in tuh DEEN-un?) – Can you help me file a report?
Asking for assistance with police report.
Ik ben betrokken in een ongeluk (ik ben buh-TROK-un in ayn ON-khuh-luk) – I am involved in an accident
Reporting car or other accident.
Hier zijn mijn verzekeringsgegevens (heer ZYN myn ver-ZAY-kuh-rings-khuh-GAY-vunz) – Here are my insurance details
Providing insurance information.
Lost or Stolen Items
Ik ben mijn … kwijt (ik ben myn … KVYT) – I have lost my…
Generic phrase for losing something. Follow with the item: “paspoort” (passport), “portemonnee” (wallet), “sleutels” (keys), “rugzak” (backpack).
Ik kan het niet vinden (ik kan het neet VIN-dun) – I cannot find it
General statement about losing something.
Het is vorige week weg (het is VOR-uh-khuh WAYK vekh) – It went missing last week
Timing information.
Waar voor het laatst gezien? (VAHR VOOR het LAHT khuh-ZEEN?) – Where was it last seen?
Question you’ll be asked.
In de trein (in duh TRAYN) – On the train
Location where you lost something.
In het café (in het kah-FAY) – In the café
Another possible location.
Ik wil het melden als vermist (ik vil het MEL-dun als ver-MIST) – I want to report it as missing
Officially reporting missing items.
Heeft iemand het ingeleverd? (HAYFT EE-mahnt het IN-khuh-luh-virt?) – Has anyone turned it in?
Asking if lost item has been found and returned.
Verloren en gevonden (ver-LOHR-un en khuh-VON-dun) – Lost and found
The lost and found department.
Kunt u me helpen het te achterhalen? (KUNT oo muh HEL-pun het tuh AHK-ter-hah-lun?) – Can you help me retrieve it?
Asking for assistance in recovering lost property.
Bicycle and Water Safety
The Netherlands is unique in having specific safety issues related to cycling and water:
Mijn fiets is gestolen (myn FEETS is khuh-STOH-lun) – My bicycle has been stolen
Reporting bike theft, which is extremely common in the Netherlands.
Ik ben van mijn fiets gevallen (ik ben van myn FEETS khuh-FAHL-un) – I have fallen off my bicycle
Reporting a cycling accident. Common and serious.
Hulp! Ik kan niet zwemmen (HULP! ik kan neet ZVEM-un) – Help! I cannot swim
Critical phrase if someone is struggling in water.
Iemand verdrinkt (EE-mahnt ver-DRINGKT) – Someone is drowning
Emergency alert.
Werpen een rettingsboei (VER-pun ayn RET-tings-boo-ee) – Throw a life preserver
Instruction during water emergency.
De ambulanceboot (duh AM-boo-lahns-uh-boot) – The ambulance boat
Water rescue services exist in canals and waterways.
Let op! Donker water (LET OP! DON-ker WAH-ter) – Caution! Dark water
Warning about water hazards.
Waterkanaal (WAH-ter-kah-NAHL) – Water canal
Reference to canals that pose drowning risks.
General Safety Phrases
Ik voel me onveilig (ik VOOL muh ON-vy-lik) – I feel unsafe
General statement about feeling at risk.
Iemand volgt me (EE-mahnt VOLKT muh) – Someone is following me
Report suspicious behavior.
Deze plaats is gevaarlijk (DAY-zuh PLAHTS is khuh-VAHR-lik) – This place is dangerous
Warning about location.
Kun je me helpen? (KUN yuh muh HEL-pun?) – Can you help me?
General request for assistance.
Bel de politie alstublieft (BEL duh poh-lee-TEE ALS-too-BLEEFT) – Call the police please
Urgent request for emergency services.
Dit is een noodgeval (dit is ayn NOHT-khuh-val) – This is an emergency
Declaring an emergency situation.
Ik heb eerst hulp nodig (ik hep AYRST HULP NOH-dikh) – I need first aid
Request for medical assistance.
Contacting Your Embassy
If you need serious help beyond what Dutch services can provide:
Waar is de Amerikaanse ambassade? (VAHR is duh ah-MAIR-i-kahn-suh AM-bahs-ah-duh?) – Where is the American embassy?
(Replace “Amerikaanse” with your country of origin)
Ik moet mijn ambassade bellen (ik MOOT myn AM-bahs-ah-duh BEL-un) – I need to call my embassy
If you’re in serious legal trouble or need national support.
Ik ben een Britse burger (ik ben ayn BRIT-suh BUR-khur) – I am a British citizen
(Adjust for your nationality: Amerikaanse, Canadese, Australische, etc.)
Mijn documentatie is gestolen (myn dok-oo-men-TAH-tsee is khuh-STOH-lun) – My documents have been stolen
Critical situation requiring embassy help.
Recovery and Aftermath
Ik ben in shock (ik ben in SHOK) – I am in shock
Describing psychological state after traumatic event.
Ik ben erg onder de indruk (ik ben erkh ON-der duh IN-druk) – I am very impressed/affected
Describing emotional state.
Ik heb hulp nodig (ik hep HULP NOH-dikh) – I need help
General request for support and assistance.
Dank je wel voor je hulp (DANK yuh vel VOOR yuh HULP) – Thank you for your help
Expressing gratitude to those who helped.
Ik ga me beter voelen (ik khah muh BAY-ter VOOL-un) – I will feel better
Hopeful statement about recovery.
Final Safety Notes
- The Netherlands is extremely safe, and crime rates are low. However, bike theft is rampant, and petty theft from tourists (pickpocketing, bag snatching) does occur in major cities and tourist areas.
The good news is that you’re unlikely to need most of this vocabulary in the Netherlands. But having it at hand provides peace of mind and ensures you can communicate effectively if something does go wrong. Stay safe, enjoy your travels, and remember: Dutch people are genuinely helpful and will come to your aid if you need it. Veel sterkte, and we hope you have safe travels!
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