Thank You in Dutch: Informal and Polite Forms

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Dank je wel is the dependable everyday way to say “thank you” in Dutch. The best choice changes with formality, emphasis and whether you are thanking one person or a group, but a few core phrases cover most situations.

The Quick Answer: Dank je wel or Dank u wel?

Situation	Dutch	Meaning
One person, informal	Dank je wel or dankjewel	Thank you
One person, polite	Dank u wel or dankuwel	Thank you
Several people, informal	Dank jullie wel	Thank you all
Many everyday settings	Bedankt	Thanks
Stronger thanks	Heel erg bedankt	Thank you very much
Reply to thanks	Graag gedaan	You’re welcome

The spaced and one-word spellings of dank je wel/dankjewel and dank u wel/dankuwel are both correct when you use them as an expression of thanks. The spelling does not change the meaning.

Informal Ways to Say Thank You in Dutch

Use je forms with friends, family, children and other people you are on informal terms with.

1. Dank je wel or dankjewel

Dank je wel is a natural informal “thank you”. You can also write it as one word, dankjewel. For example, Dank je wel voor je hulp means “Thank you for your help.”

2. Dank je

Dank je is the shorter informal form. It works well for a quick thank-you between people who use je with each other.

3. Echt heel erg bedankt

Echt heel erg bedankt adds strong emphasis: “Thank you very, very much.” Save it for a moment when an ordinary bedankt would feel too small.

4. Superbedankt

Superbedankt is playful and enthusiastic. It is less neutral than heel erg bedankt, so it fits best in casual speech or messages.

5. Thanks

You may also hear the English word thanks in casual Dutch. It is useful to recognise, but dank je is the safer Dutch form to use yourself.

Polite and Formal Ways to Say Thank You in Dutch

Use u when you want polite distance, or when the other person is already using u with you. Dutch speakers differ in how quickly they move to je, so listening and following the other person’s lead is more reliable than a rigid age rule.

6. Dank u wel or dankuwel

Dank u wel is the standard polite form, and dankuwel is also a correct spelling. Dank u wel voor uw tijd means “Thank you for your time.”

7. Hartelijk dank

Hartelijk dank means “Many thanks” or “Sincere thanks”. It is warm and slightly formal, which makes it useful in emails, speeches and polite conversation.

8. Dank u zeer

Dank u zeer is a formal “Thank you very much”. It sounds more marked and less everyday than dank u wel, but it is still useful to recognise.

9. Alvast bedankt or bij voorbaat dank

Both forms mean “Thanks in advance”. Alvast bedankt suits ordinary messages, while bij voorbaat dank is more formal and is mainly found in writing.

Thank-You Forms for Many Settings

These forms do not force you to choose between je and u, which makes them handy when the right level of formality is unclear.

10. Bedankt

Bedankt is a common everyday “Thanks”. It works in informal and polite situations, and it avoids the je/u choice altogether.

11. Heel erg bedankt

Heel erg bedankt means “Thank you very much”. It is warmer and stronger than a plain bedankt, without being tied to a formal pronoun.

12. Ontzettend bedankt

Ontzettend bedankt is another emphatic “Thank you so much”. Use it when the extra warmth suits the favour, gift or help you received.

13. Dank jullie wel

Dank jullie wel thanks several people informally. Dankjulliewel is also a correct spelling, although the spaced form is more common. For a polite group, dank u wel is still possible because u can address one person or several.

14. How to Thank Someone for Something

Dutch gives you three useful patterns that work across the language area:

• Bedankt voor je hulp. means “Thanks for your help.” Use voor plus a noun phrase.
• Bedankt voor het bellen. means “Thanks for calling.” Use voor het plus an infinitive.
• Bedankt dat je er was. means “Thanks for being there.” Use dat plus a complete clause.

You will also hear Bedankt om te helpen in Belgium. That om te pattern is standard Belgian Dutch, but it is unusual in the Netherlands.

How to Say You’re Welcome in Dutch

Graag gedaan

Graag gedaan is the standard reply to thanks. It is the closest everyday match for “You’re welcome.”

Geen dank

Geen dank means “No need to thank me” or “Don’t mention it.”

Make Yes or No Clear When Someone Offers You Something

A bare dank je or dank u after an offer can be heard as a polite refusal. Make your answer explicit:

• Ja, graag. means “Yes, please.”
• Nee, dank je. means “No, thank you” informally.
• Nee, dank u. means “No, thank you” politely.

If you are unsure which thank-you fits, start with bedankt. Then listen for whether the other person uses je or u, and follow their lead.

Practise These Dutch Thank-Yous

Pick three forms rather than trying to memorise the full list at once: dank je wel, dank u wel and bedankt. Add graag gedaan for replies, then practise each phrase in one real sentence of your own.

For more listening and beginner practice, see our DutchPod101 review and our collection of Dutch learning resources.

If you want support turning a few memorised phrases into real conversations, take a look at the Fluent in 3 Months Bootcamp.