A1 KNM: Birthday Traditions
Dutch birthday customs can surprise newcomers. The birthday person brings treats to work or school, not the other way around! At birthday parties, everyon...
Reviewed against official sources - Updated 2026-05-10
Dutch birthday customs can surprise newcomers. The birthday person brings treats to work or school, not the other way around! At birthday parties, everyone sits in a circle (verjaardagskring), and you congratulate not just the birthday person, but also their relatives.
| Situation | What to Do | What to Say |
|---|---|---|
| Someone's birthday | Say congratulations | Gefeliciteerd! |
| Your birthday at work | Bring cake/treats | 'Ik trakteer!' |
| Birthday party | Sit in the circle | Congratulate everyone |
| Greeting relatives | Also congratulate them | 'Gefeliciteerd met...' |
Examples
- Je bent jarig. Wat doe je?
- It's your birthday. What do you do?
- Je trakteert op je verjaardag.
- You treat others on your birthday.
- Gefeliciteerd met je moeder!
- Congratulations with your mother!
Study note
At a birthday party, shake hands with everyone in the circle and say 'Gefeliciteerd!' to each person - even the guests! This seems strange at first, but it's very Dutch. Refusing to sit in the circle is considered rude.
Practice after reading
Train A1 knowledge of Dutch society with timed KNM practice questions.
