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I am an expat living in Netherlands for more than a year, every time I take the train I couldn't understand well the announcement on the train, including the incident - why it stopped and what's next.

Do you perhaps have any suggestions or tips on how I can practice this listening better? I tried to find some material on the internet but didn't have sufficient information ... Will appreciate a lot if there are ways I can improve my listening in Nederlands!

The only solution is to start learning Dutch.


Did you try language videos on Youtube already? For example EasyDutch allows you to listen to the Dutch language with English subtitles.


I'm afraid the best way is by learning more Dutch. This is because a conductor does not use standard phrases, which means that each incident can be announced in many different ways.

 

To get you started, here are phases/words that are often used:

  • Het volgende station is …  = The next station is …
  • U kunt hier overstappen voor … = You can change here for ...
  • Deze trein rijdt (helaas) niet verder. = This train will (unfortunately) not continue.
  • We staan even stil voor/vanwege een rood sein. = We are briefly stopped because of a red signal.
  • Defecte / vertraagde trein voor ons. = Broken down/delayed train in front of us.
  • Seinstoring = signal failure
  • Wissel storing = switch failure
  • Aanrijding = accident
  • Even geduld alstublieft. = Please be patient.
  • Vertrekt over enkele / vijf / tien minuten. = Leaves in a couple of / five / ten minutes.

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