What is standard Dutch and how is it pronounced?
Is standard Dutch how someone would speak in Amsterdam?
What is the most common and/or recommended way to pronounce the R and G in Dutch
Can an English R be used wherever in a word? (Without sounding like a tourist)
I've heard the G sound like an English H, is this recommended?
Is the Spanish or German R used the most and where is it used?

Question

Answer

Many people say that standard Dutch is spoken in Haarlem, about 10 km west of Amsterdam. The original Amsterdam accent has some very specific peculiarities like a very strong S. Not really standard Dutch. Just like Agnes says the G in the Netherlands is strong and guttural. In Flanders though it is produced in a softer way with the tongue lifting in the middle and touching your palate. The R is usually a rolling R or Rhotic R and has no "curly tongue" like in English! The R can also be pronounced as a guttural R, more the case in Flanders because of the closer contact with French.

Answer

About G, it sound like "kh" (use your throat also, like you do when you want to spit sputum)

Don’t miss out on the opportunity to learn a language from the comfort of your own home. Browse our selection of experienced language tutors and enroll in your first lesson now!