Dutch words for kids · Greetings & manners
How to say “hello” in Dutch
Hello is usually the very first word a child uses in a new language, and the one they get to use most: with family, at the door, on a video call.
Hello in Dutch
hallo
Sounds like ≈ HAH-loh
Good to know: Hallo works with anyone. Hoi (HOY) is the casual "hi" kids use with friends and family, and it's the one in the greeting songs.
Hear it in a song
Real lines from our Dutch songs, with the English meaning shown in the app:
Hallo, natuur! Hallo!
Hello, nature! Hello!
from Hallo, Natuur (Hello, Nature)
Goedemorgen, zing maar hallo!
Good morning, sing hello!
from Goedemorgen (Good Morning)
Zwaai maar, hallo!
Wave hello!
from Ik Beweeg Mijn Lijf (I Move My Body)
3 songs that teach it
“Hello” is one of the key words in these songs. Every line is shown in Dutch with its English meaning.
Hoi, Hoe Gaat Het?
Hi, How Are You? · Greetings · Free
- hoi · hello
- hoe gaat het? · how are you?
- goed · good
- kom, we gaan spelen! · let's play!
Hallo, Natuur
Hello, Nature · Nature · Premium
- de zon · sun
- de lucht · sky
- de boom · tree
- de bloem · flower
Hoi, Vriendje
Hi, Friend · Greetings · Free
- hoi · hello
- het vriendje · friend
- hoe gaat het? · how are you?
- de naam · name
Also sung in: Goedemorgen, Blauw Is de Lucht, De Kat en de Hond, Mijn Familie, Mama en Papa, Oma en Opa, Ik Beweeg Mijn Lijf, Ik Ben Blij and 5 more.
Practice ideas for parents
- 1Make hallo the only way anyone says hello in your house for a week, including to the cat and to teddies.
- 2Wave at things on a walk (a bus, a dog, a tree) and say hallo to each one. Silly targets get the most giggles and the most repeats.
- 3When a video call starts, let your child be the one who opens with hallo.
Related Dutch words
“Hello” in other languages
Sing it in Dutch, free
The first unit, 6 greeting songs with lyrics and English translation, is free forever. No card needed. Premium unlocks all 134 songs.
About the pronunciation: the “sounds like” spellings are rough English approximations for parents (capital letters show the stressed syllable). Dutchhas sounds English doesn't, so treat them as a starting point and let the songs be the model. Songs are original and produced with AI music tools. Ideas for using Dutch songs with your family.