What Are the Similarities Between Dutch and German?

Living in the Netherlands as an English speaker and learning Dutch? Goed zo, good job! You might also have wondered about German, the Netherlands’ bigger linguistic cousin next door. Dutch and German languages look like they could be siblings, and that’s because they kind of are. Both languages sprang from the same West Germanic roots (Del Prado, 2025). In everyday life, this means they share a lot of vocabulary, grammar quirks, and even some fun throat-clearing sounds. Let’s explore these similarities and see why they’re useful for Dutch learners.

Vocabulary Overlap: Words You Recognize

If you’ve seen German text and thought it looked like Dutch with extra symbols, you’re onto something. Dutch and German share over 80% of their vocabulary as cognates, meaning they have similar forms and common origins (Wehrle, 2023). For example, Dutch “huis” and German “Haus” both mean “house,” and a “vriend” in Dutch is a “Freund” in German, meaning “friend.” Even “water” is identical in both languages.

This large vocabulary overlap means that if you already know some German, Dutch words will often look familiar. While not every word matches perfectly, the similarities make learning and recognizing words easier.

Similar Grammar Foundations

Dutch and German don’t just look alike; their grammar has much in common too (Schmitz, n.d.). Both languages follow similar sentence structures that might initially confuse English speakers. For instance, both Dutch and German use the Subject-Verb-Object structure in main clauses, similar to English: “Ik zie de man” / “Ich sehe den Mann” means “I see the man.”

Additionally, both languages follow the “verb-second” rule. This means the conjugated verb comes second in the sentence: “Eigenlijk wil ik dat” in Dutch and “Eigentlich will ich das” in German, meaning “Actually, I want that.”

Both Dutch and German also place verbs at the end of subordinate clauses. For example, “I must see it” translates to “Ik moet het zien” in Dutch and “Ich muss es sehen” in German, with the main verb at the end. Both languages also have separable verbs, like Dutch “opstaan” and German “aufstehen” (to get up), which split in sentences.

This shared grammar means mastering Dutch sentence structure sets you up well for German grammar, and vice versa.

Pronunciation Parallels

At first, Dutch and German might sound different, especially with their distinct “g” and “ch” sounds. However, these sounds are closely related. If you can pronounce Dutch “goed” correctly, German “gut” (both meaning “good”) will be easy for you. Both languages share guttural sounds, rolled or throat-based “r” sounds, and similar vowel pronunciations.

For instance, Dutch “oe” sounds like German “u,” and Dutch “ij” closely resembles German “ei.” Even their intonation patterns match, with similar sentence-ending tones.

These pronunciation similarities mean that mastering one language’s sounds significantly helps with the other, making learning both more efficient.

Sentence Structure and Compound Words

Dutch and German have similar approaches to sentence construction and compound words. Both languages form long, compound nouns by combining smaller words, like “woonkamer” in Dutch and “Wohnzimmer” in German, both meaning “living room.”

Additionally, both languages use formal and informal versions of “you” (Dutch “u” and “je,” German “Sie” and “du”), making navigating politeness levels similar in both languages.

These structural parallels mean when you learn how to form sentences in Dutch, you also prepare yourself for German sentence construction.

Shared Roots Explain the Similarities

Why are Dutch and German so alike? They evolved from the same West Germanic language branch (Del Prado, 2025). Historically, Dutch and German developed from dialects of a single language continuum. Over time, they became distinct but retained many common traits.

Knowing this relationship helps learners understand why mastering Dutch makes learning German easier, and vice versa. Linguistically, these languages are closely related siblings, making cross-learning efficient and enjoyable.

Why These Similarities Benefit Learners

For language learners, these similarities are highly practical. If you know some German, you’ll quickly pick up Dutch. Similarly, mastering Dutch first provides a solid foundation for learning German later. Shared vocabulary and grammar significantly accelerate learning.

Moreover, understanding German can help you decode simple texts and signs when traveling between Germany and the Netherlands. Recognizing familiar structures in one language helps build confidence and makes learning fun.

Conclusion: Embrace the Overlap and Learn Faster!

Dutch and German share many features due to their common historical roots. For learners, this overlap is excellent news. You can leverage existing knowledge from one language to accelerate learning the other.

Ready to boost your language skills? DutchFluency is here to help. Explore our Dutch courses or practice on the go with the DutchFluency app. Discover the advantages of these linguistic connections and become fluent faster. Happy learning!

References

Del Prado, J. (2025, January 6). Dutch vs German: How similar are they? Lingopie Blog.

Schmitz, M. (n.d.). Dutch vs. German: 10 similarities and differences. SmarterGerman Blog.

Wehrle, H. (2023, October 26). Is German the odd one out? Babbel Magazine.