8 Dutch phrases for work in Belgium

A colleague asks a question. You understand most of it, but you need a little more time to answer. These eight phrases give you a starting point for everyday Dutch at work in Belgium. Use the ones that fit your role; you do not need to learn them all at once.

Ask for clarification

1. Kun je dat nog eens uitleggen?

Could you explain that again? Use it when you need the explanation, rather than just the last word, repeated.

2. Wat bedoel je precies?

What exactly do you mean? Ask this when you have heard the words but the meaning is unclear.

3. Heb ik het goed begrepen: …?

Have I understood correctly: …? Add your own summary: “Heb ik het goed begrepen: de vergadering begint om tien uur?”

Give a short update

4. Ik ben bezig met …

I’m working on … For example: “Ik ben bezig met het verslag.”

5. Ik heb nog een vraag over …

I have another question about … For example: “Ik heb nog een vraag over de planning.”

6. Tegen wanneer heb je dit nodig?

When do you need this by? A useful way to check a deadline with a colleague.

7. Ik kijk het even na en laat je iets weten.

I’ll check it and get back to you. Agree on a time if the other person needs a quick answer.

8. Kunnen we dit straks kort bespreken?

Can we briefly discuss this later? If timing matters, replace “straks” with a specific time: “Kunnen we dit om drie uur kort bespreken?”

Turn the phrases into a real exchange

Situation 1 · Check the deadline

Colleague: “Kun je het verslag deze week afwerken?” You: “Tegen wanneer heb je dit nodig?” Colleague: “Vrijdagvoormiddag.” You: “Heb ik het goed begrepen: vrijdag voor tien uur?”

Your turn: replace het verslag with a task from your job. Ask for the day and time. A clear question is more useful here than a long sentence full of vocabulary you cannot retrieve yet.

Situation 2 · Give an update without writing a speech

Use three parts: what you are doing, where you are now and what you need. For example: “Ik ben bezig met het verslag. De eerste versie is klaar. Ik heb nog een vraag over de planning.”

Your turn: change only the task and the question. Try saying it once with notes, then again with three keywords. If you get stuck, return to a short sentence you can finish.

Situation 3 · You missed part of a meeting

You heard that something needs to be sent, but you are unsure who receives it. Try: “Ik heb niet alles begrepen. Heb ik het goed begrepen: ik stuur het eerst naar jou?” This shows which part you need clarified.

Build vocabulary around your actual job

Choose one public job description or a non-confidential task you do often. Pick a few useful actions: plannen, uitleggen, controleren, bespreken or doorsturen. Put each action in a sentence you could use. “Ik stuur het document vandaag door” is easier to practise as a complete message than a long list of isolated nouns.

Keep a small note with the task, a question and a follow-up sentence. When a new word appears, add an example from your own work. You can ask your tutor to help check the sentence before you use it.

A short task with a model answer

Your colleague asks you to finish a document. You can start today, but you do not know the deadline. Say what you will work on and ask when it is needed. Then say you will check the planning.

One possible answer: “Ik werk vandaag aan het document. Tegen wanneer heb je dit nodig? Ik kijk de planning even na en laat je iets weten.” Your answer does not need to match this word for word.

After practising, check three things: did you explain the task, ask the missing question and agree on the next step? Keep the one part that still felt difficult for your next practice session.

Je or u?

These examples use je with a colleague. In a more formal conversation, you can use u: “Kunt u dat nog eens uitleggen?” Follow the way the person or workplace addresses you.

Try this in five minutes

Choose three phrases. Write one sentence about your own work with each. Then say a short update out loud: what you are working on, what you need clarified and when you will follow up. Repeat once without reading. If a word is missing, explain it in simpler Dutch.

For example: “Ik ben bezig met het verslag. Ik heb nog een vraag over de planning. Tegen wanneer heb je dit nodig?”

Practise a conversation from your own work

In a trial lesson, we can choose a short situation that fits your level. Use a fictional example or remove confidential details from workplace material.