Short phrases in Dutch for making arrangements
Share on social media:
In everyday life, you often have to make plans and arrange meetings. In Dutch, people often use short phrases for this. In this article, you will learn some useful phrases you can use when you need to organise, plan or reschedule something.
Why are short sentences sometimes tricky?
In conversations in Dutch, you often hear short sentences. These might be responses or brief comments, for example. They are spoken quickly, but if you do not understand them, it is difficult to respond appropriately.
Some phrases have a figurative meaning. This means that the words mean something other than what is literally written. That is why it is useful to know what these phrases mean.
Plans and appointments: what can you say?
In the Netherlands, it is important to take commitments seriously and to be punctual. That is why you often need to plan ahead in everyday life. Think of meeting up with a friend, a visit to the doctor, or a deadline for a school assignment. At work, too, you make lots of arrangements and need to plan: who does what, when will something be ready, and what takes priority?
Sometimes things do not go as planned. You might be late, or an appointment might be rescheduled. In these situations, Dutch people often use short sentences. These sentences allow you to explain quickly and clearly what is going on. This helps you communicate more effectively and avoid misunderstandings.
Short phrases for every situation
‘Dat red ik niet. (I cannot manage that)
Meaning: You will not make it, either in terms of time or energy. You say this when you realise you will not be finished on time or that something is too much for you.
Example: ‘Ik moet om 5 uur weg, maar ik ben nog niet klaar. Dat red ik niet.’ (I have to leave at 5 o'clock, but I am not ready yet. I cannot manage that.)
‘Het gaat me niet lukken.’ (I will not be able to do it)
Meaning: You think you will not be able to do something, usually because you do not have enough time or because it is too difficult. You use this as an excuse to say in advance that you will not make it.
Example: ‘Het gaat me niet lukken om vandaag alles af te maken. Ik heb meer tijd nodig.’ (I will not be able to finish everything today. I need more time.)
'Het lukt me niet' (I cannot)
Meaning: You are trying to make an appointment or arrange something, but it is not working out. This might be due to time constraints or a busy schedule. You use this to explain why it has not worked out yet.
Example: 'I cannot arrange a meeting with him. My diary is full.’
‘Dat haal ik niet.’ (I cannot manage that)
Meaning: You will not be able to meet a deadline or keep to a time. This is similar to saying “dat red ik niet” (I cannot manage that), but is often used in the context of deadlines and appointments.
Example: ‘Je vraagt of ik het vandaag kan afmaken, maar dat haal ik niet.’ (You are asking if I can finish it today, but I cannot manage that.)
‘Ik loop achter.’ (I am running late)
Meaning: You are running late. That is what you say when your work or schedule has been delayed.
Example: ‘Ik loop achter met mijn voorbereiding, dus ik ben nog niet klaar.’ (I am running late with my preparations, so I am not ready yet.)
‘Ik heb er de tijd niet voor.’ (I do not have time for that)
Meaning: You are too busy and cannot do it. You say this when you do not have time for a task or appointment.
Example: ‘Ik wil je helpen, maar ik heb er vandaag de tijd niet voor.’ (I would like to help you, but I do not have time for it today.)
‘Het loopt uit.’ (It is running late)
Meaning: It is taking longer than planned. You might say this during meetings, appointments or when travelling.
Example: ‘De afspraak loopt uit. Ik ben iets later thuis.’ (The appointment is running late. I will be home a bit later.)
‘Ik schuif het door.’ (I will postpone it)
Meaning: You are postponing something until a later time. You use this when you are unable to do something now and will do it later, or when you reschedule an appointment.
Example: ‘Ik red het vandaag niet. Ik schuif het door naar morgen.’ (I will not be able to make it today. I will have to postpone it until tomorrow.)
‘Dat komt later.’ (That will come later)
Meaning: You will do it later. You say this when something is not urgent right now and you are putting it off.
Example: ‘We gaan straks opruimen. Dat komt later wel.’ (We will tidy up later. We will get round to that later.)
‘Ik kom erop terug.’ (I will get back to you on that)
Meaning: You will reply later. You say this if you do not know right now or need to check something first.
Example: ‘Ik moet het even nakijken. Ik kom erop terug.’ (I need to check that. I will get back to you.)
‘Ik pak het op.’ (I will take care of it)
Meaning: You are going to sort it out or do it. You say this when you are taking responsibility.
Example: ‘Laat het maar aan mij over. Ik pak het op.’ (Leave it to me. I will take care of it.)
'Ik laat het liggen.' (I will leave it for a while)
Meaning: You are not doing it right now. You are leaving something as it is for the time being and will come back to it later (or you decide not to do it).
Example: 'Ik heb nu geen tijd om dit te beantwoorden. Ik laat het even liggen en reageer morgen.' (I do not have time to reply to this right now. I will leave it for a while and get back to you tomorrow.)
‘Ik zet het uit.’ (I will pass it on)
Meaning: You pass it on to someone else, such as a colleague or another department. You say this when it is not your responsibility.
Example: ‘Dit is een technische vraag. Ik zet het uit bij ICT.’ (This is a technical question. I will pass it on to IT.)
‘Dat heeft prioriteit.’ (That is the priority)
Meaning: This is the most important thing and must be done first. You say this when you need to choose and prioritise tasks.
Example: 'De klacht van de klant heeft prioriteit. Doe dat eerst.' (The customer’s complaint takes priority. Deal with that first.)
‘Dat is dringend.’ (That is urgent)
Meaning: It needs to be done quickly. You say this when something is urgent and cannot wait.
Example: 'De bestelling moet vandaag weg. Dat is dringend.' (The order needs to be dispatched today. It is urgent.)
‘Dat is nog niet rond.’ (That has not been finalised yet)
Meaning: It has not been sorted out or decided yet. You say this when you are still waiting for approval, information or money.
Example: 'De planning is nog niet rond. We wachten op de bevestiging.' (The schedule has not been finalised yet. We are waiting for confirmation.)
‘Ik ben er klaar voor.’ (I am ready)
Meaning: You are all set and ready to go. You say this when you are ready to start.
Example: ‘Ik heb alles geoefend. Ik ben er klaar voor.’ (I have practised everything. I am ready.)
‘Daar ga ik voor.’ (That is my goal)
Meaning: That is your goal or choice. You say this to show that you are motivated and really want to do it.
Example: ‘Ik wil dit jaar mijn diploma halen. Daar ga ik voor.’ (I want to graduate this year. That is my goal.)
‘Ik moet er vandoor.’ (I need to go)
Meaning: You have to go. You say this to politely bring a conversation to a close because you have somewhere to be.
Example: ‘Ik moet er vandoor, ik heb een afspraak bij de dokter.’ (I have to go; I have got a doctor's appointment.)
‘Het komt mij (niet) goed uit.’ (It suits me (or does not suit me))
Meaning: The time or appointment does (or does not) fit in with your schedule. You use this when someone suggests a time and you are either available or unavailable at that moment.
Example: ‘Dinsdag om 15:00 afspreken? Ja, dat komt mij goed uit.’ (Shall we meet on Tuesday at 15:00? Yes, that suits me fine.)
Example: ‘Morgen om 9 uur bellen? Dat komt mij niet goed uit. Kan het om 11 uur?’ (Can we speak tomorrow at 09:00? That does not suit me. Would 11:00 be better?)
'Daar ga ik van uit.' (I assume so)
Meaning: You expect something to be the case. You use this phrase when you make an assumption and base your plans on it. It means: I think this is correct, unless I hear otherwise.
Example: 'Je stuurt de informatie vandaag nog, toch? Oké, daar ga ik van uit.' (You will send the information today, won’t you? Right, I will assume so.)
Practical tips if you want to learn the language
Would you like to understand Dutch better? Then learn
Do you not understand a sentence? Then ask. For example, ask if someone means it literally or figuratively. Also pay close attention to the situation and context. This is especially important with irony.
Keep practising and do not be afraid to make mistakes. This way you will learn more step by step. Also check out RefugeeHelp to learn more about the Dutch language and culture.