Standards across several countries
The Netherlands and Belgium have different public institutions and sometimes use different legal terminology.
West Germanic language
Have Dutch translated
Nederlands
Dutch is used in several countries and jurisdictions. The document's origin, type and subject area therefore determine the appropriate terminology.
Dutch is spoken as a first language by approximately 25 million people.
Geographical distribution of Dutch
- Main areas of use
- Other regional use
- Selected diaspora communities
Netherlands
Belgium
Suriname
Germany
A schematic selection of the main areas where the language is used. Language use does not always follow national borders, and the map does not show complete population statistics.
Language profile
Dutch at a glance
- Native name
- Nederlands
- Language family
- West Germanic language
- Script
- Latin alphabet
- Language code
- nl
Documents and areas of use
Common uses for this language combination
It is not just about the language. ABBA-Sprachendienste also takes into account the document type, recipient, subject area, certification requirements and the language combination you need.
Have your document checked- Birth and marriage certificates
- Employment and purchase contracts
- Diplomas and certificates
- Corporate and commercial documents
- Court and insurance documents
Origin and development
How the language developed
Dutch is a West Germanic language that developed from Old Low Franconian and Middle Dutch forms. From the early modern period onwards, printing, Bible translation and administration helped make the standard language more uniform.
In Belgium, the same standard language is often used in a Flemish context; Suriname and the Caribbean parts of the Kingdom of the Netherlands introduce further regional variation.
Good to know
What makes this language distinctive
Its similarity to German can be misleading
Similar words can have different meanings; specialist terminology requires particularly careful review.
IJ and the spelling of names
The letter combination ij has special capitalisation and sorting rules that may be relevant in names.
A glimpse of the language
Three phrases to start with
The transliteration is only a rough guide. Pronunciation and regional forms may differ.
| Original | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Goedendag | — | Good day |
| Dank u wel | — | Thank you very much |
| Alstublieft | — | Please |
Sources and classification
Further information
Speaker numbers are rounded guide figures and may vary depending on the definition, the year of the survey and whether second-language speakers are included.
- Dutch language
Wikipedia · language-specific overview
- Codes for the Representation of Names of Languages
Library of Congress / ISO 639-2 Registration Authority · Language codes and standardised language names
- Language and Locale Names
Unicode Common Locale Data Repository · Language, script and territory names and variants
- Glottolog 5.3
Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology · Language families, classification and linguistic literature
Editorial sources as of 14 July 2026. The information will be cross-checked by subject experts before the website goes live.
Other related service languages
Dutch FAQ
Frequently asked questions about Dutch
Can I have Dutch translated into German and German into Dutch?
You can request either direction. We give a binding commitment once we have checked the document type, subject area, certification, appointment and intended use.
Which documents are commonly relevant for Dutch?
Birth and marriage certificates, employment and purchase contracts, diplomas and certificates, and corporate and commercial documents are typical examples. Other types of document can also be assessed from a clear photograph or PDF.
What does ABBA-Sprachendienste check in Dutch documents?
We check the language combination, document type, script (Latin alphabet), names, stamps, subject area, intended use and whether certification may be needed.
Do I need a certified translation of my Dutch document?
That is decided by the authority, court or notary receiving the document, or by whichever other office has requested it. Tell ABBA-Sprachendienste where the document will be submitted, so that your requirements can be assessed properly.
Is a photo enough for the initial check?
Yes. A complete, sharp and clearly legible photo or PDF is usually enough for us to check your request and prepare a quote. Depending on the job, the original may also be needed later, when the work is carried out.
Have your specific Dutch ↔ German requirements assessed
Send a clear photo or PDF. ABBA-Sprachendienste will personally check the language combination, document, intended use and whether certification is needed.
