The primary language spoken in Amsterdam is Dutch, which is the official language of the Netherlands and used by nearly all residents
. Amsterdam, as a multicultural and international city, also has a high prevalence of English speakers-around 90% of the Dutch population can speak English, and it is widely used in business, tourism, and daily interactions
. Besides Dutch and English, many locals also speak German (about 70%) and French (around 29%), and you will hear other languages from immigrant communities such as Turkish, Arabic, Indonesian, and languages from Surinam
. Amsterdam even has its own local Dutch dialect influenced by historical linguistic variations
. In summary:
- Official and main language: Dutch
- Widely spoken second language: English (spoken fluently by most locals)
- Other common languages: German, French, Turkish, Arabic, Indonesian, and others due to immigration
- Local dialect: Amsterdam Dutch, with unique expressions
For visitors, English is sufficient for communication in most settings, but learning some basic Dutch phrases is appreciated by locals and enriches the experience
. Thus, in Amsterdam, you will primarily hear Dutch but also a rich variety of other languages reflecting its international population
