Giving clear directions to a taxi driver | Learn Dutch in English

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Use Giving clear directions to a taxi driver to practice Dutch conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

Kunt u ons bij de ingang van de kliniek afzetten, alstublieft?

koont oo ohns bye duh IN-khahng vahn duh klee-NEEK AF-zet-un, ahl-stoo-BLEEFT? Could you drop us near the clinic entrance, please?

Is dat net voorbij het grote kruispunt?

iss daht net vohr-BYE ut KHROH-tuh KROWSS-poont? Is that just past the main intersection?

Sla na de bank linksaf.

slah nah duh bahngk LINKS-ahf. Turn left after the bank.

Volg daarna de weg richting de apotheek.

volkh DAHR-nah duh vekh RIKH-ting duh ah-poh-TAYK. Then follow the road toward the pharmacy.

Moet ik na de afslag rechtdoor blijven rijden?

moot ik nah duh AHF-slahkh rekh-DOHR BLY-vun RY-dun? Should I keep going straight after the turn?

Rijd door tot de apotheek aan uw rechterkant is.

RAYD dohr tot duh ah-poh-TAYK ahn oo REKH-ter-kahnt iss. Keep going until the pharmacy is on your right.

Waar wilt u dat ik stop?

vahr vilt oo daht ik stop? Where would you like me to stop?

Ergens bij de voordeur is prima.

EHR-khens bye duh VOHR-dur iss PREE-mah. Anywhere near the front door is fine.

Ik kan net voorbij de ingang stoppen.

ik kahn net vohr-BYE duh IN-khahng STOP-un. I can pull over just beyond the entrance.

Word by Word

Kunt “Kunt” means “can” or “could” here and is the form of kunnen used with formal u in the polite request “Kunt u ons bij de ingang van de kliniek afzetten, alstublieft?”. The pattern “Kunt u ...?” is useful when making a polite request to a driver or another person.

u “u” means formal “you” in this dialogue. It is the person being asked in “Kunt u ons bij de ingang van de kliniek afzetten, alstublieft?” and appears again in “Waar wilt u dat ik stop?”. Use u when addressing someone formally or respectfully.

ons “ons” means “us” and refers to the passengers who should be dropped off. It is the object of “afzetten” in “Kunt u ons bij de ingang van de kliniek afzetten, alstublieft?”. This object position is useful in requests about taking or leaving people somewhere.

bij “bij” means “near” here and places the requested drop-off location near the clinic entrance. In “bij de ingang van de kliniek”, it introduces the place connected with the request. Use “bij” before a location when describing where someone or something is near or at.

de “de” is the definite article “the” in “de ingang van de kliniek”. It appears before both “ingang” and “kliniek” in this phrase. Learn it as part of the location expression “de ingang van de kliniek” when referring to a specific entrance.

ingang “ingang” means “entrance” in “de ingang van de kliniek”. The phrase identifies the place where the passengers want to be dropped off. A useful pattern is “de ingang van ...” for naming the entrance of a place.

van “van” links “ingang” with “kliniek” and expresses the relationship “of” in “de ingang van de kliniek”. It shows which place the entrance belongs to or is associated with. Use “van” in this pattern to connect a thing with the place or person it relates to.

kliniek “kliniek” means “clinic” in “de ingang van de kliniek”. It identifies the destination whose entrance is being discussed. The reusable phrase “de ingang van de kliniek” names the clinic entrance clearly.

afzetten “afzetten” means “drop off” here: leave the passengers at the requested place. It is the infinitive at the end of “Kunt u ons bij de ingang van de kliniek afzetten, alstublieft?” after the modal “Kunt”. Use “afzetten” when asking a driver to leave someone at a destination.

alstublieft “alstublieft” means “please” and makes the request polite in “Kunt u ons bij de ingang van de kliniek afzetten, alstublieft?”. It is placed at the end of this request. Use it when asking a driver or another person to do something courteously.

Is “Is” means “is” and begins the question “Is dat net voorbij het grote kruispunt?”. It is the form of zijn used here to ask whether the location is in a particular place. The word order “Is dat ...?” is useful for checking a location.

dat “dat” means “that” and refers to the location the speaker is checking in “Is dat net voorbij het grote kruispunt?”. It comes directly after “Is” in this question. Use “Is dat ...?” when confirming whether a place or object is the one being discussed.

net “net” means “just” here and makes the location “voorbij het grote kruispunt” more precise. In “net voorbij het grote kruispunt”, it indicates that the place is only a short distance past the intersection. Use “net voorbij ...” to describe a nearby point beyond a landmark.

voorbij “voorbij” means “past” or “beyond” in “net voorbij het grote kruispunt”. It places the destination on the far side of the intersection. Use it with a landmark to describe a location beyond that point.

het “het” is the definite article “the” before “grote kruispunt” in “net voorbij het grote kruispunt”. It refers to a specific intersection known in the directions. Keep it with the phrase “het grote kruispunt” when identifying this landmark.

grote “grote” describes the intersection as the large or main one in “het grote kruispunt”. It is the form of groot used before this noun in the dialogue. The pattern “het grote ...” can identify a particular large landmark.

kruispunt “kruispunt” means “intersection” and is the landmark used to check the route in “net voorbij het grote kruispunt”. It identifies where the destination lies in relation to the roads. Use it when giving directions based on a crossing of roads.

Sla “Sla” means “turn” as a direct instruction in “Sla na de bank linksaf.” It is the command form of slaan used to tell the driver what to do. The pattern “Sla ... linksaf” gives a left-turn instruction after a named landmark.

na “na” means “after” and places the turn after the bank in “Sla na de bank linksaf.” It marks the point at which the instruction should be followed. Use “na” before a landmark or event when giving the next step in a route.

bank “bank” means “bank” and serves as the landmark in “na de bank”. The driver should turn after passing this place. A useful direction pattern is “na de ...” followed by the landmark.

linksaf “linksaf” means “to the left” and completes the turning instruction “Sla na de bank linksaf.” It tells the driver which direction to take. Use “linksaf” with a turning command when giving a left-turn direction.

Volg “Volg” means “follow” in the instruction “Volg daarna de weg richting de apotheek.” It is the command form of volgen, addressed to the driver. Use “Volg de weg ...” when telling someone to stay on a particular road.

daarna “daarna” means “then” or “afterward” and marks the next step in “Volg daarna de weg richting de apotheek.” It shows that following the road happens after the earlier turn. Use it to connect route instructions in sequence.

weg “weg” means “road” in “Volg daarna de weg richting de apotheek.” It is the route the driver should follow. The pattern “Volg de weg ...” is useful when directing someone along a road.

richting “richting” means “toward” here and indicates the direction of travel in “richting de apotheek”. It connects the road with the pharmacy as the destination or reference point. Use “richting de ...” when saying which place someone should travel toward.

apotheek “apotheek” means “pharmacy” and is the landmark toward which the driver should follow the road. It appears in “richting de apotheek” and later identifies the point where the pharmacy is on the driver’s right. Use it to name a pharmacy as a destination or route reference.

Moet “Moet” means “must” or “should” in the question “Moet ik na de afslag rechtdoor blijven rijden?”. It is the form of moeten used to ask what the speaker is expected to do. The pattern “Moet ik ...?” is useful when checking the next required action.

ik “ik” means “I” and identifies the driver as the person who should continue driving in “Moet ik na de afslag rechtdoor blijven rijden?”. It is the subject of the action. Use “ik” when asking or stating what you yourself should do.

afslag “afslag” means “turn” or “exit” in “na de afslag”. It refers to the turn mentioned in the route instructions. Use “na de afslag” when describing what to do after taking a particular turn or exit.

rechtdoor “rechtdoor” means “straight ahead” in “rechtdoor blijven rijden”. It specifies that the driver should continue without turning. Use it with a driving or movement expression when giving a straight-ahead direction.

blijven “blijven” means “keep” or “continue” in “rechtdoor blijven rijden”. It shows that the action of driving should continue. The reusable pattern “blijven + action” describes continuing to do something, as in “blijven rijden” here.

rijden “rijden” means “drive” or “go” in “rechtdoor blijven rijden”. It is the infinitive after “blijven”, so the phrase tells the driver to continue driving straight. Use “blijven rijden” when describing continued travel by vehicle.

Rijd “Rijd” means “drive” or “go” as a direct instruction in “Rijd door tot de apotheek aan uw rechterkant is.” It is the command form of rijden used to address the driver. The pattern “Rijd door tot ...” gives a direction to continue until a landmark or condition is reached.

door In “Rijd door tot de apotheek aan uw rechterkant is”, “door” contributes the sense of continuing onward. The whole expression “Rijd door” means “keep going” in this route instruction. Use it with a movement verb when telling someone not to stop yet.

tot “tot” means “until” and sets the endpoint in “Rijd door tot de apotheek aan uw rechterkant is.” It tells the driver how long to continue. Use “tot” before the place or event that marks the stopping point of an action.

uw “uw” means formal “your” in “aan uw rechterkant”. It refers respectfully to the driver’s right-hand side. Use “uw” before something belonging to or associated with a person addressed formally.

rechterkant “rechterkant” means “right-hand side” in “aan uw rechterkant”. It identifies where the pharmacy should appear from the driver’s position. The phrase “aan uw rechterkant” is useful for saying that something is on a formal addressee’s right.

Waar “Waar” means “where” and asks for the stopping location in “Waar wilt u dat ik stop?”. It introduces a question about place. Use “Waar ...?” when asking where someone wants an action to happen.

wilt “wilt” means “want” or “would like” in “Waar wilt u dat ik stop?”. It is the form of willen used with formal u to ask about the passenger’s preference. The pattern “wilt u dat ik ...?” is useful when checking what a formal addressee wants you to do.

stop “stop” means “stop” in the clause “dat ik stop”. It states the action the driver would perform at the requested location. Use it after “ik” when saying that you will come to a stop.

Ergens “Ergens” means “somewhere” or, in this context, “anywhere”. It leaves the exact location open in “Ergens bij de voordeur is prima”, while “bij de voordeur” gives a useful nearby reference. Use “ergens” when an unspecified place is acceptable.

voordeur “voordeur” means “front door” in “bij de voordeur”. It identifies the entrance area near which the driver may stop. Use “bij de voordeur” when describing a location close to a building’s front door.

prima “prima” means “fine” or “okay” and says that the suggested stopping place is acceptable in “Ergens bij de voordeur is prima.” It evaluates the location positively without requiring an exact stopping point. The pattern “[location] is prima” is useful for approving a proposed place.

kan “kan” means “can” and expresses the driver’s ability or possibility in “Ik kan net voorbij de ingang stoppen.” It is the form of kunnen used with ik, followed by the infinitive “stoppen” at the end. Use “Ik kan ...” when offering or confirming that you are able to do something.

Grammar Points

Imperatief: werkwoordstam

Sla linksaf bij het grote kruispunt.

slah LINKS-ahf bye ut KHROH-tuh KROWSS-poont.

Turn left at the main intersection.

Dutch commands usually use the verb stem without a subject: Sla, Volg, Rijd, or Stop.

blijven + infinitief

Blijf rechtdoor rijden.

BLYF rekh-DOHR RY-dun.

Keep driving straight ahead.

Blijven followed by an infinitive means that an action continues.

Dutch Vocabulary

afzetten verb

AF-zet-un to drop off

alstublieft intj

ahl-stoo-BLEEFT please

groot adj

KHROHT big; main grote

ingang noun

IN-khahng entrance

kliniek noun

klee-NEEK clinic

kruispunt noun

KROWSS-poont intersection

linksaf adv

LINKS-ahf to the left; left

ons pron

ohns us; our

richting prep

RIKH-ting toward; in the direction of

slaan verb

slahn to turn Sla

volgen verb

VOL-khen to follow Volg

voorbij prep

vohr-BYE past; beyond

Quiz

Word Order

Arrange the words in the correct order.

Turn left after the bank.

Show Answer

Sla na de bank linksaf.

Where would you like me to stop?

Show Answer

Waar wilt u dat ik stop?

Anywhere near the front door is fine.

Show Answer

Ergens bij de voordeur is prima.

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

clinic

Show Answer

kliniek

please

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alstublieft

to drop off

Show Answer

afzetten

entrance

Show Answer

ingang