Checking in at a hotel | Learn Dutch in English

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Use Checking in at a hotel to practice Dutch conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

Ik heb hier een reservering voor een kamer.

ik hep HEER uhn reh-zer-VAY-ring vohr uhn KAH-mer. I have a room reservation here.

Mag ik uw paspoort zien, alstublieft?

mak ik oo PAS-pohrt ZEEN, ahl-stoo-BLEEFT? Could I see your passport, please?

Hier is het. Ik heb het klaarliggen.

HEER iss ut. ik hep ut KLAHR-lih-khun. Here it is. I have it ready.

Kunt u hier tekenen?

koont oo HEER TAY-kuh-nuhn? Could you sign here?

Heeft u ook mijn handtekening op dit formulier nodig?

HAYFT oo OHK mine HAHNT-tay-kuh-ning op dit for-moo-LEER NOH-dikh? Do you need my signature on this form too?

Onderaan dit formulier is prima.

on-der-AHN dit for-moo-LEER iss PREE-mah. At the bottom of this form is fine.

Waar wordt het ontbijt morgenochtend geserveerd?

vahr vawrt ut ont-BAYT MOR-khuh-NOHKH-tunt khuh-SAIR-vayrt? Where is breakfast served tomorrow morning?

In de eetzaal bij de receptie.

in duh AYT-zahl bay duh reh-SEP-tsee. In the dining room near reception.

Word by Word

Ik “Ik” means “I” here: the guest identifies themself as the person with the reservation. It is used before “heb” in “Ik heb hier een reservering voor een kamer.” Use “Ik” when stating something about yourself in a hotel or other service situation.

heb “heb” means “have” in “Ik heb hier een reservering voor een kamer” and contributes to “Ik heb het klaarliggen,” meaning that the guest has it ready. It follows “Ik” in these statements. Use “heb” when saying that you possess or have something prepared.

hier “hier” means “here” and shows that the reservation is at this hotel or place. In “Ik heb hier een reservering voor een kamer,” it comes after “heb.” Use it to point out the place connected with a reservation, document, or request.

een “een” introduces one non-specific room in “een reservering voor een kamer.” It appears before the noun “reservering” and again before “kamer.” Use it before a singular, non-specific thing when making a request or giving information.

reservering “reservering” means “reservation” here, specifically the guest’s room booking. In “een reservering voor een kamer,” “voor een kamer” specifies what the reservation is for. Use it when checking in or confirming a booking at a hotel.

voor “voor” means “for” and links the reservation to its purpose in “een reservering voor een kamer.” The pattern “reservering voor ...” identifies what has been reserved. Use it when naming the person, room, or service a reservation is intended for.

kamer “kamer” means “room” in “een reservering voor een kamer.” It is the object described by “voor.” Use it when discussing a hotel room or asking about room arrangements.

Mag “Mag” asks for permission in “Mag ik uw paspoort zien, alstublieft?” and makes the request polite. The reusable pattern “Mag ik ... zien?” asks whether the speaker may see something. Use it at a reception desk or in another polite request for permission.

uw “uw” means “your” when addressing the guest formally in “uw paspoort.” It comes directly before the item belonging to the person being addressed. Use it in polite service situations when referring to a customer’s document or personal item.

paspoort “paspoort” means “passport,” the document the receptionist asks to see. In “uw paspoort,” it is preceded by formal “your.” Use it when checking in at a hotel or presenting identification.

zien “zien” means “see” in the request “Mag ik uw paspoort zien, alstublieft?” It follows “Mag ik” in this permission-seeking pattern. Use it after “Mag ik” when politely asking to see an item.

alstublieft “alstublieft” means “please” here and softens the request for the passport. It appears at the end of “Mag ik uw paspoort zien, alstublieft?” Use it in polite requests to a receptionist, clerk, or other interlocutor.

is “is” means “is” in “Hier is het,” identifying where the item is. It connects “Hier” with “het” in this short presentation phrase. Use “Hier is het” when handing over or pointing out an item that someone requested.

het “het” refers to the item being handed over in “Hier is het” and means “the” before “ontbijt” in “het ontbijt.” Its meaning therefore depends on whether it stands alone as the item or comes before the breakfast noun. Use it in these exact patterns when presenting an item or referring to the breakfast.

klaarliggen “klaarliggen” contributes the idea of being ready in “Ik heb het klaarliggen.” Together with “heb het,” it says that the guest has the requested item prepared and available. Use this form when something is already ready for another person to inspect or use.

Kunt “Kunt” asks whether the formal addressee is able or willing to do something in “Kunt u hier tekenen?” It appears before “u” in this polite request. Use “Kunt u ...?” when asking a guest or customer to perform an action.

u “u” means formal “you” in both “Kunt u hier tekenen?” and “Heeft u ook mijn handtekening op dit formulier nodig?” It marks the person being addressed politely. Use “u” with service staff, guests, or other people addressed formally.

tekenen “tekenen” means “sign” in “Kunt u hier tekenen?” and names the action requested from the guest. It follows “Kunt u” in this polite request pattern. Use it when asking someone to sign a form or document.

Heeft “Heeft” means “has” in the question “Heeft u ook mijn handtekening op dit formulier nodig?” and helps ask whether the addressee needs something. It comes before “u” because this is a question. Use the pattern “Heeft u ... nodig?” when asking whether someone needs an item or action.

ook “ook” means “also” or “too” and adds the signature to something already requested in “Heeft u ook mijn handtekening op dit formulier nodig?” It comes before the possessive phrase “mijn handtekening.” Use it when checking whether one more item or action is required.

mijn “mijn” means “my” and shows that the signature belongs to the guest in “mijn handtekening.” It comes directly before the noun it describes. Use it when identifying something that belongs to or comes from you.

handtekening “handtekening” means “signature,” the written name requested on the form. In “mijn handtekening op dit formulier,” the rest of the phrase identifies whose signature and where it is needed. Use it when completing hotel, administrative, or other official forms.

op “op” means “on” and indicates the form where the signature should appear in “op dit formulier.” It links the signature with the document. Use it when saying that writing, signing, or another mark goes on a form or document.

dit “dit” means “this” and points to the particular form in “dit formulier.” It appears directly before “formulier.” Use it when referring to a specific nearby document or item.

formulier “formulier” means “form,” the document being completed at reception. In “op dit formulier,” it is the document on which the signature is needed. Use it when asking someone to fill in or sign an official form.

nodig “nodig” contributes the meaning “needed” in “Heeft u ook mijn handtekening op dit formulier nodig?” Together with “heeft ... nodig,” it asks whether the receptionist requires the signature. Use the pattern “Heeft u ... nodig?” to ask about someone’s need for an item or action.

Onderaan “Onderaan” means “at the bottom” and identifies the position where the signature may be placed in “Onderaan dit formulier.” It comes at the beginning of the receptionist’s answer. Use it when giving the location of writing or information on a form or page.

prima “prima” means “fine” or “okay” and indicates that signing at the bottom is acceptable. In “Onderaan dit formulier is prima,” it confirms the proposed location. Use it to approve a practical arrangement in a service situation.

Waar “Waar” means “where” and asks for the location of the breakfast service in “Waar wordt het ontbijt morgenochtend geserveerd?” It appears at the beginning of the question. Use it when asking where a hotel service, room, or facility is located.

wordt “wordt” helps form the passive question “Waar wordt het ontbijt morgenochtend geserveerd?” and indicates that the breakfast is being served at a location. It comes before “het ontbijt” in this question structure. Use “wordt ... geserveerd” when asking where a meal or service is served.

ontbijt “ontbijt” means “breakfast” in “het ontbijt.” It is the meal whose serving location the guest asks about. Use it when asking about breakfast times, places, or arrangements at a hotel.

morgenochtend “morgenochtend” means “tomorrow morning” and specifies when the breakfast will be served. It appears after “het ontbijt” in the question. Use it when asking about or describing a service scheduled for the next morning.

geserveerd “geserveerd” means “served” in “wordt het ontbijt morgenochtend geserveerd.” It describes what happens to the breakfast in the passive construction. Use “wordt ... geserveerd” when asking where a meal will be served.

In “In” means “in” and gives the place where breakfast is served: “In de eetzaal bij de receptie.” It begins the receptionist’s location answer. Use it to name an indoor place where a hotel service takes place.

de “de” means “the” before “eetzaal” and “receptie” in the answer. It introduces the specific dining room and reception area being referred to. Use it before these definite nouns when identifying particular places in the hotel.

eetzaal “eetzaal” means “dining room,” the place where breakfast is served. In “In de eetzaal bij de receptie,” it follows “In de” and names the main location. Use it when directing a guest to a hotel dining area.

bij “bij” means “near” here and locates the dining room in relation to reception in “bij de receptie.” It introduces the nearby reference point. Use it when giving directions to a place near a hotel facility or other landmark.

receptie “receptie” means “reception,” the hotel desk or area used as the reference point in “bij de receptie.” It follows “de” after “bij.” Use it when directing guests to or referring to the hotel reception area.

Grammar Points

iets nodig hebben

Ik heb een formulier nodig.

ik hep uhn for-moo-LEER NOH-dikh.

I need a form.

In Dutch, nodig comes after the object; the verb hebben carries the conjugation.

klaarliggen

Het formulier ligt klaar.

ut for-moo-LEER likht KLAHR.

The form is ready and waiting.

This separable verb splits in a main clause: ligt appears before klaar.

Dutch Vocabulary

alstublieft adv

ahl-stoo-BLEEFT please

Mag ik uw paspoort zien, alstublieft?

formulier noun

for-moo-LEER form

Heeft u ook mijn handtekening op dit formulier nodig?

handtekening noun

HAHNT-tay-kuh-ning signature

Heeft u ook mijn handtekening op dit formulier nodig?

kamer noun

KAH-mer room

Ik heb hier een reservering voor een kamer.

klaarliggen verb

KLAHR-lih-khun to be ready and waiting

Ik heb het klaarliggen.

nodig hebben phrase

NOH-dikh HAY-buhn to need nodig

Heeft u ook mijn handtekening op dit formulier nodig?

onderaan adv

on-der-AHN at the bottom

Onderaan dit formulier is prima.

paspoort noun

PAHS-pohrt passport

Mag ik uw paspoort zien, alstublieft?

prima adj

PREE-mah fine

Onderaan dit formulier is prima.

reservering noun

reh-zer-VAY-ring reservation

Ik heb hier een reservering voor een kamer.

tekenen verb

TAY-kuh-nuhn to sign

Kunt u hier tekenen?

zien verb

ZEEN to see

Mag ik uw paspoort zien, alstublieft?

Quiz

Word Order

Arrange the words in the correct order.

Could I see your passport, please?

Show Answer

Mag ik uw paspoort zien, alstublieft?

Could you sign here?

Show Answer

Kunt u hier tekenen?

At the bottom of this form is fine.

Show Answer

Onderaan dit formulier is prima.

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

passport

Show Answer

paspoort

to see

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zien

signature

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handtekening

to sign

Show Answer

tekenen