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How to Say "What's up?" in Dutch

The SPAIKING TeamJuly 27, 2026
Wat is er aan de hand?
"What's up?" in Dutch 路 say it like vaht is air ahn duh hahnd

The most natural way to say "What's up?" in Dutch is Wat is er aan de hand?. Tap the speaker above to hear it, then say it back out loud. That is the fastest way to make it stick.

Other ways to say it

Hoe gaat het?
a more general greeting, suitable for various contexts
Wat is er?
a slightly more informal way to ask

When to use it

Use this phrase when you want to check in on someone or ask how they are doing. It is casual and friendly, making it suitable for conversations with friends or acquaintances. You can use it in both spoken and written contexts.

Say it out loud, get corrected

Reading it is not the same as saying it. Practice "What's up?" and thousands more with an AI coach that listens.

Examples in Dutch

DutchEnglish
Hey, wat is er aan de hand?Hey, what's up?
Common mistake
Learners often translate it too literally, missing the casual tone.

The fastest way to remember it

Vocabulary you only read fades fast. Vocabulary you say out loud sticks. Hear Wat is er aan de hand?, repeat it a few times, then use it in a real sentence. SPAIKING lets you practice exactly that, speaking Dutch with a coach that corrects your pronunciation in real time. You can start with two free conversations.

Frequently asked questions

Is 'Wat is er aan de hand?' formal?

No, it is casual and commonly used among friends.

Learn Dutch by speaking it

Two free conversations. No card needed.