Practical Matters Ghent
Before You Go
When You Are There
Language
Offices to Serve You Abroad
Dutch is the official language of Flanders. Most young inhabitants of Antwerp also speak English, whilst the older ones speak
French. The Antwerp dialect itself is alive and kicking, although tourists are not expected to speak it. Not everybody
speaks English, though, making it useful to know some Dutch words, and attempts to use them will be appreciated. The 'oo'
(pronounced 'oa' as in load) and 'ee' constructions (pronounced 'ay' as in day) are particularly problematic for English-speakers.
If you pronounce 'ij' like English 'eye' you'll be close enough: for example prijs 'price'; ontbijt 'ontbite'.
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LANGUAGE
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hotel
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hotel
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room
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kamer
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single/
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eenpersoonskamer/
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double
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tweepersoonskamer
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one/two nights
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een/twee nachten
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per person/ per room
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per persoon/ per kamer
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reservation
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reservering
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rate
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prijs
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breakfast
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ontbijt
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toilet
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toilet/WC
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bathroom
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badkamer
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shower
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douche
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balcony
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balkon
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key
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sleutel
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room service
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room service
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chambermaid
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kamermeisje
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bank
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bank
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exchange office
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wisselkantoor
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post office
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postkantoor
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cashier
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kassa
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foreign exchange
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buitenlands geld
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currency
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valuta
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British pound
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Engels/Britse pond
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American dollar
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Amerikaanse dollar
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banknote
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papiergeld
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coin
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wisselgeld/kleingeld
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credit card
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creditcard
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traveller's cheque
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reisecheque
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exchange rate
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wisselkoers
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commission charge
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commissie
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restaurant
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restaurant
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café
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café
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table
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tafel
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menu
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menukaart
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set menu
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menu
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wine list
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wijnkaart
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lunch
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lunch/middageten
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dinner
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diner/avondeten
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starter
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voorgerecht
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main course
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hoofdgerecht
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dish of the day
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dagschotel
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dessert
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nagerecht
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drink
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drank/drankje
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waiter
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ober
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waitress
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serveerster
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the bill
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de rekening
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aeroplane
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vliegtuig
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airport
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luchthaven
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train
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trein
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station
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station
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bus
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bus
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station
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busstation
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ferry
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veerboot
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port
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haven
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ticket
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reisekaart
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single/return
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enkele reis/retour
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first/
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eerste klas/
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second class
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tweede klas
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ticket office
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boekingskantoor
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timetable
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dienstregeling
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seat
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plaats
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non-smoking
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niet roken
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reserved
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gereserveerd
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taxi!
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taxi!
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yes
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ja
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no
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nee
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please
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alstublieft
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thank you
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dank u
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hello
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dag/hallo
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goodbye
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dag/tot ziens
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goodnight
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welterusten
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sorry
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excuseer/pardon
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help!
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help!
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today
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vandaag
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tomorrow
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morgen
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yesterday
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gisteren
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how much?
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hoeveel?
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expensive
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duur
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closed
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gesloten
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open
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geopend
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