alstublieft/alsjeblieft
Please
Use alstublieft (formal) or alsjeblieft (informal) to say 'please' when asking for something, or 'here you go' when handing something over.
How It Works
In Dutch, alstublieft and alsjeblieft are more versatile than the English word 'please'.
1. Choosing the Register
- Alstublieft: The formal version. Use this with strangers, elders, or in professional settings. In writing (signs, emails, notes), it is often abbreviated as a.u.b., but you should not say 'a.u.b.' aloud as it sounds clinical.
- Alsjeblieft: The informal version. Use this with friends, family, and peers.
- Note: In Flanders (Belgium), alstublieft is often used in both formal and informal situations.
2. When to Use It
- Requests: It can be placed at the end of a sentence (Een koffie, alstublieft) or in the middle, especially in questions (Mag ik alstublieft een pen?).
- Ordering: When ordering food or drinks, using graag is often more natural than alstublieft.
- Giving/Handing Over: Dutch speakers usually say something when handing an object to someone. You say Alstublieft to mean 'Here you go'.
- You're Welcome: It means 'you're welcome' only as a response to a transaction (like a waiter serving a drink). For favors or help, use graag gedaan.
3. Cultural Nuance
Dutch speakers also use 'modal particles' like even or maar to sound polite. While alstublieft is correct, using it too much in every sentence can sound slightly stiff to native speakers.
Examples (4)
- Mag ik de menukaart, alstublieft?
May I have the menu, please?
Word by Word: May I the menu-card, if-it-you-pleases?
A standard formal request at a restaurant.
- Alsjeblieft, hier is je pen.
Here you go, here is your pen.
Word by Word: If-it-you-pleases, here is your pen.
Used here to mean 'here you go' when handing an object to a friend.
- Twee euro terug, alstublieft.
Two euros change, here you are.
Word by Word: Two euro back, if-it-you-pleases.
A shopkeeper saying 'here you are' while giving change.
- Ja, graag!
Yes, please!
Word by Word: Yes, gladly!
When accepting an offer, Dutch speakers use 'graag' instead of 'alstublieft'.
Common Mistakes
Using the informal version in a formal setting.
Different MeaningAlsjeblieft, meneer de agent.Alstublieft, meneer de agent.Using 'je' (informal) with a police officer or stranger can be seen as disrespectful. Use the 'u' form (alstublieft) to be safe.
Writing 'alstublieft' as separate words.
Een koffie, als u blieft.Een koffie, alstublieft.'Alstublieft' is one word, just like 'alsjeblieft'. Writing it as three separate words is a spelling error.
Using alstublieft to mean 'I beg your pardon?'
Alstublieft? Ik hoor u niet.Pardon? / Wat zegt u?Alstublieft is not used to ask someone to repeat themselves. Use 'Pardon?' or 'Wat zegt u?' instead.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To understand the difference between 'alstublieft' and 'alsjeblieft', you need to know the distinction between formal and informal address in Dutch (u vs. je/jij).
Related Patterns
- u / jijU or Jij?
Explains the difference between formal (u) and informal (jij) address, which is the basis for alstublieft vs alsjeblieft.
Level 2 - dank u/dank jeThank You
The counterpart to 'please', also split into formal and informal registers.
Level 1 - graagGraag (Like Doing)
Used for 'Yes, please' or to express liking an action, often confused with alstublieft by learners.
Level 1 - evenJust/For a Moment
A particle used to soften requests and make them sound more natural and polite in Dutch.
Level 3 - Polite Commands
Shows how to give polite commands, which often pair with alstublieft.
Level 2
Words in This Pattern
Practice alstublieft/alsjeblieft in Bubblegum
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