Flemish vs Dutch: What’s the difference?

If you’ve been to the southernmost parts of the Netherlands or Belgium, you’ve probably heard someone speak what you thought was Dutch, only to realise that it sounds a bit different, and is, in fact, Flemish. There are some distinctions between the two tongues, but there are also many things that are very much the same. Let’s dive into the similarities and differences between Flemish and Dutch.

Is Flemish the same as Dutch?

Flemish, also known as Vlaams in the Netherlands, is the name given to the version of the Dutch language spoken in Flanders, the Dutch-speaking region of Belgium. It is a dialect of Dutch and is not considered a language of its own. Despite several differences, a Dutch speaker is able to understand Flemish, and vice versa. 

The histories and dominant religions of Belgium and the Netherlands are responsible for the differences in how the Dutch language developed in the two countries. While Flemish has more French influences, the Dutch spoken in the Netherlands has more of an English influence.

Differences between Flemish and Dutch

So, if both versions of the language can be understood by the same people, what is the difference between Flemish and Dutch exactly? Here is how the Flemish language differs from the Dutch spoken in the Netherlands.

Pronunciation

Even if you have just started learning Dutch, you’ll most likely be able to hear the contrast in pronunciation of Flemish, as this is one of the most noticeable differences. Flemish is considered a lot softer and friendlier-sounding than the standard Dutch pronunciation.

In the Netherlands, especially in the north in cities around Amsterdam, Rotterdam and The Hague, the hard “G” is used, which sounds more guttural. Flemish, however, has a soft G, similar to dialects of Dutch used the further south in the Netherlands you go.

Flemish also has a sound similar to French, for example the Dutch word nationaal is pronounced “nasional” in Flanders, while in the Netherlands it is pronounced “natzional”. In Flemish, the words are often strung together with a similar flow to French, while standard Dutch generally has more of a pause between words. 

Vocabulary

While most words are shared by both dialects, there are some differences. There are several words used in both Flemish and standard Dutch that mean different things. For example, kleedje in Flanders refers to a dress, while in the Netherlands, you would be speaking about a textile like a tablecloth or rug.

Quite a few words appear in Flemish that a standard Dutch speaker may not recognise, such as amai, which is an exclamation of surprise. As Belgium is closer to France, Flemish also often borrows words from the French language, such as camion, which means truck, instead of vrachtwagen in standard Dutch.

The Flemish dialect is considered to be more purist when it comes to the Dutch language, using words that sound more Dutch than the ones used in standard Dutch. For example, duimspijker is used to refer to a drawing pin by some Flemish speakers, while the Dutch are more likely to use the word punaise. 

Use of pronouns

In Flanders, uw is more commonly used rather than the typical Dutch jouw (your), while ge and gij replace je and jij (you).

Formal tone

Flemish can seem rather formal to Dutch speakers. In the Netherlands, the polite u is used less often, with Dutch people embracing the friendly je. However, in Flanders they still use u, even in an informal setting with friends and family. Other more formal words are also used when a more casual one is preferred in the Netherlands, wenen instead of huilen (cry), for example.

Grammar

There are also some differences in grammar between Flemish and Dutch. If you struggle with when to use de or het in standard Dutch, you’ll find Flanders Dutch just as confusing. No matter if a word is masculine or feminine, in standard Dutch, you could have een in front of the word - een stoel (a chair), for example. However, in some Flemish dialects, such as the tussentaal, you would use ne for masculine words, which would make it ne stoel in Flanders. Feminine words keep the een.

Word order can also vary for certain expressions. The Dutch say vast en zeker (surely), while the Flemish say zeker en vast.

Word endings

In Dutch, -tje or -je is added to the end of a word to describe a smaller version of something - think biertje (small beer) - while in Flemish, -ke is used. For example, mannetje vs manneke. 

Learn the difference between Flemish and Dutch

As you can see, while they are spoken in different areas, Flemish and Dutch are still the same language and have more in common than they do differences. So, if you’ve aced your Dutch course and decide to pop over to Belgium for the day, you should be able to understand Flemish reasonably well.