Pronouncing the Dutch G: mouth position and examples

How to Pronounce G in Dutch: 7 Tips That Work

For many newcomers, the G is the hardest sound in Dutch. You are probably looking for a clear explanation: what does that G really sound like, and how do you get it out of your mouth without it feeling weird? The short answer: the Dutch G comes from your throat, not from the tip of your tongue. But there are two kinds of G, and the pronunciation depends on where you are in the Netherlands and on the vowels around it.

Why is this important? Without a good G, people might hear 'goed' as 'voed' or 'gat' as 'kat'. That can cause confusion at the doctor's office, at work, or at the municipality. On the civic integration exam, your pronunciation is assessed, so a bit of practice pays off. But don't panic: with targeted practice, you can master the sound, even if your native language doesn't have throat sounds.

In this guide, you will learn step by step how to make the hard and soft G, what the difference is between G and CH, and how to practice with real sentences. You will also get common mistakes and a mini checklist. Grab a mirror, set your phone to record, and let's get started.

The two types of G: hard and soft sounds

In Dutch, there are two pronunciations of the letter G. The hard G sounds like a scraping sound from your throat, like in the Spanish word 'gente' or the Arabic 'ghain'. You hear it mainly in the north and middle of the Netherlands, for example in Amsterdam, Utrecht, and Groningen. Say 'goed' or 'geven' with a good friction in your throat.

The soft G sounds more like the 'ch' in the German 'ich', but a bit lighter. You hear this in the south of the Netherlands, in Brabant and Limburg, and also in Flanders. There, 'goed' almost sounds like 'choed', but less harsh. Both sounds are fine, but you need to be consistent. Choose one variant and practice it, so you don't keep switching.

How do you know which one to learn? Look at where you live or work. If you live in Eindhoven or Maastricht, the soft G is logical. If you live in Rotterdam or Zwolle, go for the hard G. On the civic integration exam, it doesn't matter which one you use, as long as you are clear. The examiner prefers a consistent soft G over a hesitant hard G.

How to make the sound: step by step

You make the hard G by bringing the back of your tongue against your soft palate, exactly where you also make a 'k'. But instead of blocking the air completely, you let a bit of air escape. The result is a scraping sound, like clearing your throat, but shorter and controlled.

You make the soft G a bit further forward, with your tongue closer to your palate, and you let less air escape. It then sounds like a soft 'ch' from German. First try saying 'k' and feel where your tongue is. Then let the air escape while holding that position. Practice in front of the mirror: you should see your throat move.

A handy trick: start with a 'k' and turn it into a 'g' by lengthening the airflow. Say 'k', then 'k-k-k', and let the last 'k' turn into a scrape. Listen to the difference. Do this a few minutes a day, and your muscles will get used to the movement.

Say 'k' and feel where your tongue is.
Let the air escape while holding that position.
Make the sound longer: 'kkkkhhh'.
Add a vowel: 'ka', 'ko', 'ku'.
Say single words: 'goed', 'geven', 'gisteren'.
Record yourself and compare with a native speaker.

G or CH? The difference in sound

In Dutch, G and CH are often pronounced the same. At the beginning of a word, you always write G, like in 'goed' or 'geel'. At the end of a word, you often write CH, like in 'lachen' or 'zacht', but the sound is the same as the G. So 'goed' and 'lachen' have the same throat sound, only the spelling differs.

Why is this important? If you mix up these sounds, you might pronounce words incorrectly. For example, 'ligt' (from liggen) and 'licht' (not heavy) sound almost the same, but the meaning is different. Practice with minimal pairs like 'goed' and 'voed', or 'gat' and 'kat' to hear the difference.

Also pay attention to combinations with other letters. After an 's', the G sometimes sounds like a 'ch', like in 'sgravenhage' (old name for The Hague). But that is rare. In practice, you only need to remember: G and CH are the same sound, except in loanwords like 'garage' or 'bagage', where the G sounds like a French 'zj'.

Practical example sentences for daily use

The best way to practice the G is in real sentences that you use daily. Below you will find sentences you can practice at the supermarket, at work, or at the doctor's. Say them aloud, record yourself, and listen critically to your own pronunciation.

Pay attention to the stress and rhythm of the sentence. The G often appears at the beginning of a word, but sometimes in the middle, like in 'zeggen' or 'liggen'. Practice each sentence a few times and try not to exaggerate the G, but also not to let it disappear.

Good morning, I would like a whole wheat sandwich.
Could you repeat that? I don't understand it well.
I made an appointment at the municipality yesterday.
The garage is next to the supermarket, on the left.
My daughter is in the hospital, room 12.
Tell me honestly: do you think this is a good plan?
I feed the dog every day at six o'clock.
When does the train to The Hague leave?

Step-by-step plan: how to practice this week

You don't need to practice for hours to see progress. Fifteen minutes a day, five days a week, is enough. Follow this plan and you will notice that the G starts to sound more natural. The most important thing is to practice a little every day, even if it feels uncomfortable at first.

Start with single sounds and gradually build up to words and sentences. Use a mirror to check your mouth and record yourself. Compare your pronunciation with that of a native speaker, for example via an audio fragment from Dutch Fluency or a YouTube video of a Dutch newsreader.

Day 1: Practice the single sound 'g' for 5 minutes in front of the mirror.
Day 2: Say 10 words with G at the beginning, like 'goed', 'geel', 'gisteren'.
Day 3: Say 10 words with G in the middle, like 'zeggen', 'liggen', 'vragen'.
Day 4: Read a short news article aloud and underline all the G's.
Day 5: Record yourself saying the example sentences above.
Day 6: Listen to your recording and note which words are still difficult.
Day 7: Repeat the difficult words and do a mini test with a friend.

Common mistakes (and what works instead)

Everyone makes mistakes when learning the Dutch G. The most common mistake is replacing the G with a sound from your own language, like the English 'g' in 'go' or the French 'j' in 'je'. As a result, 'goed' sounds like 'voed' or 'zjoed'. Do you recognize this? Don't be hard on yourself, but try to really make the sound from your throat.

Another mistake is making the G too hard or too soft. A too hard G sounds aggressive, a too soft G disappears completely. Listen carefully to Dutch people and try to find the middle. Practice with words where the G comes after a vowel, like 'vragen' or 'zeggen', because there the tendency to swallow the G is greatest.

Mistake: pronouncing 'goed' as 'voed' (English g). Fix: make the sound in your throat, not with the tip of your tongue.
Mistake: skipping the G in words like 'zeggen' → 'zegen'. Fix: pronounce every letter, even if it feels exaggerated.
Mistake: replacing the G with a 'k' in 'lachen' → 'lakken'. Fix: practice the difference between 'k' and 'g' by saying them one after the other.
Mistake: using the soft G in the north, so people don't understand you. Fix: choose one variant and stick with it.
Mistake: only practicing single words, not in sentences. Fix: always practice in full sentences, because that's what counts in conversations.

Mini checklist for the perfect G

Before you have a conversation or take an exam, you can quickly go through this checklist. It helps you become aware of your pronunciation and see where you still need to practice. Print this list and hang it at your desk or on the fridge.

I know whether I should use the hard or soft G.
I can make the G without it hurting or sounding weird.
I pronounce the G in words at the beginning, middle, and end.
I don't replace the G with a sound from my own language.
I practice the G for at least 5 minutes every day.

How to practice this with Dutch Fluency

At Dutch Fluency, we understand that pronunciation is not just a matter of theory, but of daily practice. That's why we have exercises specifically designed for the civic integration exam, including audio fragments where you hear the G in various contexts. You can practice with sentences similar to what you'll get on the exam, but also with everyday situations, like grocery shopping or making an appointment at the doctor's.

Do you want extra guidance? Then use our mock exams to test your pronunciation under exam pressure. You get immediate feedback and can continue practicing specifically on the sounds that are difficult for you. That way, you know you'll come across confidently, whether you're talking to your neighbors or the examiner.

Oefen je uitspraak voor het examen →

Practice now

Frequently asked questions

How do you pronounce the Dutch G?

The Dutch G is a throat sound. You make it by bringing the back of your tongue against your soft palate and letting air escape. In the north, it sounds hard and scraping; in the south, softer, more like a 'ch'.

Is the Dutch G always pronounced the same?

No, there are two variants: the hard G (North Netherlands) and the soft G (South Netherlands and Flanders). Additionally, at the end of a word, the G is often written as CH, but the sound is the same. In loanwords like 'garage', the G sounds like a 'zj'.

Why is the Dutch G so difficult for foreigners?

Because the sound doesn't exist in many languages. You have to make a new movement with your throat, which feels unnatural at first. But with targeted practice, like lengthening a 'k' into a 'g', you can master the sound.

How long does it take to learn the Dutch G?

It varies per person. Some people need a few weeks, others a few months. The most important thing is to practice daily and not give up. After a week, you'll already notice a difference if you practice 10 minutes a day.

Do I need to pronounce the G correctly for the civic integration exam?

Yes, pronunciation counts for the Speaking component. You don't need to be perfect, but you must be understandable. A consistent pronunciation, whether you use the hard or soft G, is better than a switching one.

What is the difference between G and CH in Dutch?

In most cases, there is no difference in sound: 'goed' and 'lachen' have the same throat sound. The spelling depends on the position in the word. At the beginning, you write G; at the end, often CH. Exceptions are loanwords like 'chocolade' (pronounced 'sj') and 'garage' (pronounced 'zj').

More guides and exam tips

Also read articles about inburgering, NT2 and Dutch life →