Dutch text types and where the answer hides

Every text type has a fixed shape

Dutch practical texts are very predictable. A letter from the gemeente always has a subject line and a "what you must do" part. An advert always has a price and a contact. If you know the shape, you know where to look. This saves a lot of time.

1. Brief van de gemeente (official letter)

Shape: sender and date at the top, then Onderwerp: (subject), then Geachte heer/mevrouw…, the message, and Met vriendelijke groet.

Where the answer is:

• The subject line and first paragraph tell you why they write. Perfect for "Wat is het doel van deze brief?"
• The middle tells you what you must do and before when.
• The end tells you who to contact if you have questions.

Signal words: u moet, u dient (you must), vóór (before a date), uiterlijk (at the latest), binnen zes weken (within six weeks), als u … niet …, dan… (if you don't…, then…), bijlage (attachment).

2. Advertentie (advert)

Shape: short lines, a headline, a price, a contact (phone, e-mail, website).

Where the answer is: prices, conditions and how to react. Watch for small print: excl. (excluding), p.p. (per person), v.a. (vanaf, from), alleen ophalen (pick-up only), z.g.a.n. (zo goed als nieuw, as good as new).

Signal words: gratis (free), korting (discount), te koop (for sale), gezocht (wanted), te huur (for rent), reageren (to respond).

3. Rooster (schedule, timetable)

Shape: a table with days, times, names or groups.

Where the answer is: where a row and a column cross. Read the headings of the table first, then find the row and the column. Look for notes under the table (* = alleen in de even weken). Those notes are favourite exam material.

Signal words: t/m (tot en met, up to and including), even/oneven weken (even/odd weeks), vervalt (is cancelled), gewijzigd (changed), vanaf (from).

4. Huisregels (house rules)

Shape: a list of rules, often with bullets, sometimes with a reason.

Where the answer is: the question is usually "What is (not) allowed?" or "What must you do?". Each rule is one line, so scan the list for the key word (fiets, afval, huisdieren, geluid).

Signal words, very important:

5. E-mail or bericht (e-mail, message)

Shape: Hoi / Beste…, the reason for writing, a question or request, a greeting.

Where the answer is: e-mails often have one main request (Kun je…? Wil je…? Zou u…?). The question is often "Wat vraagt Sanne aan haar collega?". Also look for changes of plan: helaas (unfortunately), in plaats van (instead of), toch (after all).

A quick recognition test

When a new text appears, ask yourself in two seconds: What type is this? Then go straight to the part that usually holds the answer. You still check the rest, but you start in the right place.

Bonus: formal and informal

Official letters use u and longer words (ontvangen, verzoeken, indienen). E-mails between friends use je/jij and short words (krijgen, vragen, sturen). The meaning is often the same:

Learning these pairs makes official letters much less scary.