Dutch abbreviations explained
Do you know your aub from your svp? Dutch abbreviations can feel confusing at first, especially when they show up unexpectedly in official letters, emails, or bills. This practical guide helps you decode the most common Dutch abbreviations you’ll encounter in everyday life in the Netherlands.
Imagine you’ve been making good progress with Dutch, feeling confident in daily conversations—then a letter arrives full of capital letters like WOZ, AFV, and OZB, each followed by an amount you apparently need to pay. Besides the surprise at the total, it’s often the abbreviations that cause the most confusion.
Read on to get clarity on:
- Why Dutch uses so many abbreviations
- Abbreviations relating to housing
- Abbreviations for work and business
- Dutch abbreviations for education
- Abbreviations used in healthcare
- Other useful Dutch abbreviations
Why does Dutch use so many abbreviations?
Dutch is known for its long compound words, which can be intimidating for newcomers. To keep communication efficient, these lengthy terms are often shortened into abbreviations (afkortingen). For example, instead of onroerendezaakbelasting, people simply say OZB. Likewise, afvalstoffenheffing becomes AFV.
You’ll quickly notice that many Dutch abbreviations are written in lowercase. Exceptions include official names, institutions, and abbreviations borrowed from other languages—especially English—which are usually capitalized.
Abbreviations relating to housing
When you first settle in the Netherlands, official mail will introduce you to a whole new vocabulary of abbreviations. One of the most important is your BSN (burgerservicenummer), the personal citizen service number you’ll need for almost everything, from opening a bank account to registering your address.
Common housing-related abbreviations include:
- AFV (afvalstoffenheffing) – waste collection tax
- RIOE (rioolrecht) – sewage connection charge (homeowners only)
- OZB (onroerendezaakbelasting) – property tax
- WOZ (waardering onroerende zaken) – official property value used for tax calculations
Abbreviations for work and business
Dutch workplaces love efficiency, and that includes language. In offices, emails, and meetings, abbreviations are everywhere—often mixed with English business terms.
Useful examples include:
- BTW (belasting toegevoegde waarde) – VAT
- dhr. (de heer) – Mr.
- dir. (directeur) – director
- KvK (Kamer van Koophandel) – Chamber of Commerce
- M/V (man/vrouw) – male/female (job ads)
- m.vr.gr. (met vriendelijke groeten) – kind regards
- Mw (mevrouw) – Ms./Mrs.
- Preso (presentatie) – presentation
- Prio (prioriteit) – priority
- Stavaza (stand van zaken) – current status
- Vrijmibo (vrijdagmiddagborrel) – Friday afternoon drinks at work
You may also encounter English-based abbreviations like EOB (end of business day). Less formal slang exists too—though best used with caution until you know your audience.
Dutch abbreviations for education
If you have children, or plan to study in the Netherlands, abbreviations in education can feel overwhelming. Each stage of the school system has its own shorthand.
Common examples include:
- OCW – Ministry of Education, Culture and Science
- TSO (tussenschoolse opvang) – lunchtime school care
- BSO (buitenschoolse opvang) – after-school care
- vvto (vreemdetalenonderwijs) – early foreign language education
- LVS (leerlingvolgsysteem) – pupil monitoring system
- vmbo – preparatory vocational secondary education
- havo – general secondary education
- vwo – pre-university education
- HBO – higher professional education
- WO – research-oriented university education
For children with additional learning needs, you may also see sbo, so, or vso, referring to different types of special education.
Abbreviations used in healthcare
The Dutch healthcare system is efficient but comes with its own terminology. Understanding these abbreviations can make navigating medical services much easier:
- EHBO (eerste hulp bij ongevallen) – first aid
- ggz (geestelijke gezondheidszorg) – mental healthcare
- Zvw (zorgverzekeringswet) – basic health insurance law
- Wlz (wet langdurige zorg) – long-term care law
Let op! (Take note): emergency contacts are often listed as ICE (In Case of Emergency), sometimes translated as in geval van nood.
Other useful Dutch abbreviations
You’ll also encounter many abbreviations in casual conversation, text messages, and informal writing:
- aub (alstublieft) – please
- svp – please
- ca. (circa) – approximately
- d.w.z. (dat wil zeggen) – that is
- enz. (enzovoorts) – etc.
- i.p.v. (in plaats van) – instead of
- i.v.m. (in verband met) – in connection with
- m.b.t. (met betrekking tot) – regarding
- o.a. (onder andere) – among others
- OV (openbaar vervoer) – public transport
- t/m (tot en met) – up to and including
- v.a. (vanaf) – from
- z.o.z. (zie ommezijde) – turn over