Preface 7Speaking Dutch Like a Native 9Grammatical Terms 97Phonetic Symbols 99Bibliography 100Index 102This book is about conversational Dutch. It discusses over a hundred words that are typical of real, everyday speech. These include colloquialisms, interjections and particles, as well as some slang.Plunge into the world of interjections (huppakee, doeidoei, prima), short, but significant words (Kom nou toch eens even!) and everyday phrases that defy all the grammar rules you learnt in Dutch class (Dirk z’n fiets). Speaking Dutch requires more than just mastering the formal language skills taught in coursebooks. It also requires proficiency in informal Dutch, which is packed with colloquialisms, interjections and slang.Do you sometimes feel bewildered by the strings of words that don’t seem to mean anything, like: maar eens even and nou toch? Are you confused by farewells like dag, doeg, and doei; and is ja dag a farewell, too? Who, or what, is puntje puntje puntje? What is the difference between jawel en welja, and what does welnee mean?This reference guide discusses over a hundred words frequently used in real, everyday speech. Discover Dutch slang and hard-to-make-out expressions, expressions of annoyance, reassurance or warmth, as well as grammar-defying idiomatic phrases. Learn how to pepper your Dutch with colloquial words and expressions and start speaking Dutch like a native.From professional language teacher Dr Lijntje Pronk, this is the first basic guide to colloquial Dutch.