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Common English mistakes Dutch speakers make, and how to fix them

Dutch speakers rank among the best non-native English speakers in the world — which is exactly why the leftover mistakes are so noticeable. They follow Dutch grammar, a few sounds Dutch lacks, and a famous set of false friends. Transfer, not carelessness, and each one has a clear fix.

The big ones. 1) "How late is it?" (hoe laat is het) → "What time is it?". 2) "I sent my solicitation" (sollicitatie) → "job application"; "beamer" → "projector"; "map" (= folder), "chef" (= boss), "gift" (= poison in Dutch — the reverse trap). 3) "I have it cold" (ik heb het koud) → "I'm cold". 4) Learn vs teach (leren covers both): "he learned me" → "he taught me". 5) "When" for "if" (als): "When it rains, we stay home" → "If it rains". 6) "Since" with the present (sinds): "I live here since 2019" → "I've lived here since 2019". 7) "Make" for "do" (maken): "make a photo", "make my homework" → take, do. 8) "Actual" (actueel = current), "eventually" (eventueel = possibly), "brutal" (brutaal = cheeky), "see you back" (tot ziens) → "see you". 9) Sounds: "th" as /t/ or /d/ ("tink", "dat"), and the Dutch "w" (/ʋ/) making "wine" sound like "vine" — round your lips fully for English /w/. 10) Final devoicing and vowels: "bad" → "bat", "have" → "haf" — keep the voice on; and "bad" vs "bed" — open wider for "bad".

A list won't fix these; making them out loud and being corrected in the moment will. Airi is built for that: she hears the pattern, fixes the one mistake that matters in her reply, and keeps the conversation going. Speak with her daily and these stop being habits within a few weeks. Free to start, no card.

A quick example with Airi

How late is it? I must send my solicitation before five, and when it's late I make it tomorrow.

Three Dutch-to-English classics! Try: "What time is it? I have to send my application before five, and if it's too late I'll do it tomorrow."

What time is it? I have to send my application before five, and if it's too late I'll do it tomorrow.

Perfect. Now 'think' — tongue between your teeth, not 'tink'.

How to get the most from it

'What time', not 'how late'

Direct translation of 'hoe laat' doesn't work.

'If' for conditions

When = time. If = condition.

Tongue between the teeth for 'th'

Think, that, three — Airi hears the difference.

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Frequently asked questions

Why do Dutch speakers say 'how late is it'?

It's a word-for-word translation of 'hoe laat is het'. English asks 'what time is it?'. Transfer, and easily fixed.

Is 'solicitation' really wrong?

In English 'solicitation' can mean asking for money or something illicit — never a job application. Use 'application'.

Is Airi available in the Netherlands?

Yes — it works worldwide on phone or laptop. Free to start with 300 credits, no card.

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