← Back to Home
Listening Tactics
The Golden Rules
- Read questions BEFORE the audio plays
- Circle/underline keywords in questions
- Listen for keywords, not every word
- When corrected, the LAST answer is usually right
Common Traps
Trap 1: Distractor Answers
The first thing mentioned is often WRONG. They mention it to distract you.
Example:
"De trein vertrekt om 9 uur... nee, wacht, om 9:15."
❌ Wrong answer: 9:00
✅ Correct answer: 9:15
Trap 2: Time/Number Changes
They say one number, then correct themselves.
Example:
"Het kost twintig euro... of eigenlijk vijfentwintig euro."
❌ Wrong answer: €20
✅ Correct answer: €25
Watch for these signals:
- nee, wacht... (no, wait...)
- eigenlijk... (actually...)
- oh sorry... (oh sorry...)
- ik bedoel... (I mean...)
Trap 3: Negatives
Words that flip the meaning:
| Dutch | English |
|---|
| niet | not |
| geen | no/none |
| nooit | never |
| niemand | nobody |
| nergens | nowhere |
| nog niet | not yet |
Example:
"Is de winkel open?" "Nee, vandaag niet."
Trap 4: "Maar" (But)
Whatever comes after "maar" is usually the real answer.
Example:
"Ik wilde komen, maar ik moet werken."
The person is NOT coming.
Trap 5: Tone Shifts
The speaker changes their mind or adds a condition.
Signal phrases:
- maar eigenlijk... (but actually...)
- nou ja... (well...)
- toch... (still/yet...)
- misschien... (maybe...)
High-Frequency Scenarios
Scenario 1: Phone Calls
What to listen for:
- Times and dates
- Names
- Phone numbers
- Reasons for calling
Common phrases:
| Met [naam]. | This is [name]. |
| Ik bel over... | I'm calling about... |
| Kunt u terugbellen? | Can you call back? |
| Mijn nummer is... | My number is... |
Scenario 2: Train/Bus Announcements
What to listen for:
- Platform numbers (spoor)
- Delays (vertraging)
- Destinations
- Changes
Common phrases:
| De trein naar... | The train to... |
| Vertrekt van spoor... | Departs from platform... |
| Let op: vertraging | Attention: delay |
| De trein rijdt niet | The train is not running |
Scenario 3: Store Announcements
What to listen for:
- Opening/closing times
- Special offers
- Locations within store
Common phrases:
| Wij sluiten over... | We close in... |
| Nu in de aanbieding | Now on offer |
| U vindt dit bij... | You can find this at... |
Scenario 4: Voicemail Messages
What to listen for:
- Who is calling
- Reason for the call
- Call-back instructions
- Important numbers/times
Common phrases:
| U spreekt met... | You're speaking with... |
| Ik bel om te vragen... | I'm calling to ask... |
| Kunt u mij terugbellen op... | Can you call me back at... |
| Ik ben bereikbaar tot... | I can be reached until... |
Scenario 5: Conversations (Shopping, Directions)
What to listen for:
- Prices
- Quantities
- Directions (left, right, straight)
- Locations
Common phrases:
| Dat is [prijs] euro. | That is [price] euros. |
| U moet rechtdoor. | You must go straight. |
| De eerste straat links. | The first street left. |
| Het is aan de rechterkant. | It's on the right side. |
Number Practice
Numbers are frequently tested. Make sure you know:
| Number | Dutch | Number | Dutch |
|---|
| 11 | elf | 60 | zestig |
| 12 | twaalf | 70 | zeventig |
| 13 | dertien | 80 | tachtig |
| 14 | veertien | 90 | negentig |
| 15 | vijftien | 100 | honderd |
| 20 | twintig | 150 | honderdvijftig |
| 30 | dertig | 200 | tweehonderd |
| 40 | veertig | 1000 | duizend |
| 50 | vijftig | | |
Tricky pattern: Dutch numbers say units before tens.
• 23 = drieëntwintig (three-and-twenty)
• 45 = vijfenveertig (five-and-forty)
Time Practice
| Time | Dutch |
|---|
| 9:00 | negen uur |
| 9:15 | kwart over negen |
| 9:30 | half tien (!) |
| 9:45 | kwart voor tien |
| 10:00 | tien uur |
⚠️ Warning: "Half tien" = 9:30, NOT 10:30!
Dutch "half [hour]" means half hour BEFORE that hour.
Exam Strategy: Step by Step
Before audio plays:
- Read all questions quickly
- Underline key words (who, what, when, where, why)
- Predict what type of answer you need (time? name? place?)
During audio:
- Listen for your keywords
- Don't panic if you miss something
- Note any corrections ("eigenlijk," "nee, wacht")
- Focus on the END of sentences for final answers
After audio:
- Make your best guess immediately
- Don't second-guess yourself
- Move on - don't dwell on uncertain answers
Quick Reference: Signal Words
| Dutch | English | What it signals |
|---|
| maar | but | Contrast/change |
| eigenlijk | actually | Correction coming |
| toch | yet/still | Exception |
| helaas | unfortunately | Negative news |
| gelukkig | fortunately | Positive news |
| eerst... dan | first... then | Sequence |
| niet... maar | not... but | Correction |