How many words are in this list?

This page gives 100 Dutch words on “Family and relationships”. The full topic holds 140 in the KoKo app: 56 at the easy level, 49 at the medium level and 35 at the hard level.

Which words should I start with?

With level 1: these are the easiest words of the topic. Move on to level 2 once they come to you without thinking, then to level 3.

How can I remember this Dutch vocabulary?

By seeing each word again at longer and longer intervals, just before you forget it: that is spaced repetition. The KoKo app does it for you and tells you each day which words to review.

Can I print this list or save it as a PDF?

Yes. The “Print the list” button at the top of the page opens your device’s print dialog: choose to save as PDF to keep the 100 words and their translation, with nothing else around them.

Dutch vocabulary: family

Parents, children, grandparents, friends, partners: family members and relationships in Dutch.

Here are 100 Dutch words on “Family and relationships”, translated into English and sorted from easiest to hardest.

Level 1: easy 40 words

Dutch	English
geboorte	birth
vaste vriend	boyfriendMale partner, romantic relationship
broer	brother
zwager	brother in law
kind	child
voogdij	child custody
ongehuwd samenwonen	cohabitation
stel	couple
papa	dadInformal register, a child’s word for their father
dochter	daughter
overlijden	death
familie	family
familiemaaltijd	family meal
vader	fatherStandard register, the man who is the child’s biological parent or raises the child
schoonvader	father in law
vriend	friend
generatie	generation
vaste vriendin	girlfriendFemale partner, romantic relationship
kleindochter	granddaughterDaughter of one’s son or daughter
grootvader	grandfather
overgrootvader	great grandfather
overgrootmoeder	great grandmother
halfbroer	half brother
echtgenoot	husbandEveryday use
schoonouders	in laws
liefde	love
man	man
moeder	motherStandard register, the woman who gives birth to or raises the child
schoonmoeder	mother in law
mama	mumInformal register, a child’s word for their mother
zus	sister
schoonzus	sister in law
steun	support
achternaam	surname
goed overweg kunnen	to get on well
bezoeken	to visit
vertrouwen	trust
opvoeding	upbringing
trouwring	wedding ring
vrouw	woman

Level 2: medium 35 words

Dutch	English
adoptie	adoption
alimentatie	alimony
ruzie	argument
tante	aunt
breuk	break up
bruidsmeisje	bridesmaid
maat	buddy
ceremonie	ceremony
klasgenoot	classmate
collega	colleague
neef	cousinSon of one’s uncle or aunt
afstammeling	descendant
echtscheiding	divorce
oudste kind	eldest child
voornaam	first name
vriendschap	friendship
peetvader	godfather
bruidegom	groomOn the wedding day
huwelijksreis	honeymoon
gastheer	host
erfenis	inheritance
buurman	neighbour
neef	nephewSon of one’s brother or sister
nicht	nieceDaughter of one’s brother or sister
zwangerschap	pregnancy
scheiding	separation
solidariteit	solidarity
tiener	teenager
spanning	tension
adopteren	to adopt
het uitmaken	to break up
trouwen	to get married
grootbrengen	to raise
oom	uncle
jongste kind	youngest child

Level 3: hard 25 words

Dutch	English
voorouder	ancestor
gastouder	childminder
schoondochter	daughter in lawWife of one’s son
verloving	engagement
verwantschap	family tie
verloofde	fiancePerson engaged to be married, before the ceremony
petekind	godchild
zuigeling	infant
groot gezin	large family
voogd	legal guardian
levenspartner	live in partner
ouderlijk gezag	parental authority
verzoening	reconciliation
gelijkenis	resemblance
rivaliteit	rivalry
eenoudergezin	single parent family
schoonzoon	son in lawHusband of one’s daughter
borstvoeding geven	to breastfeed
knuffelen	to cuddle
scheiden	to divorce
bevallen	to give birth
zich verzoenen	to make up
berispen	to scold
tweeling	twin
ontrouw	unfaithfulness

Mini quiz

5 words from this page, picked at random. Find their translation.

Frequently asked questions

How many words are in this list?: This page gives 100 Dutch words on “Family and relationships”. The full topic holds 140 in the KoKo app: 56 at the easy level, 49 at the medium level and 35 at the hard level.
Which words should I start with?: With level 1: these are the easiest words of the topic. Move on to level 2 once they come to you without thinking, then to level 3.
How can I remember this Dutch vocabulary?: By seeing each word again at longer and longer intervals, just before you forget it: that is spaced repetition. The KoKo app does it for you and tells you each day which words to review.
Can I print this list or save it as a PDF?: Yes. The “Print the list” button at the top of the page opens your device’s print dialog: choose to save as PDF to keep the 100 words and their translation, with nothing else around them.