Learning to talk about repairs around the house is a useful part of settling into life in the Netherlands. By the end of this post, you'll identify common hardware items and explain basic maintenance tasks using Dutch vocabulary. Mastering dutch gereedschap klusjes a2 (gereedschap means tools and klusjes means chores) terms allows you to describe problems to your landlord or shop for supplies at the bouwmarkt (DIY store) like Gamma or Praxis. Knowing these words saves you time when you need to fix a leaking tap or hang a shelf in your new apartment.
Basic tools: What you need for simple repairs — Master terms for hamer, schroevendraaier, tang, zaag, boormachine, and meetlint.
Every household needs a basic set of tools for daily maintenance. When you need to put a nail into the wall, you reach for a hamer (hammer). Met een hamer sla ik de spijker in de muur (With a hammer, I hit the nail into the wall). For tightening a loose cabinet door, you'll need a schroevendraaier (screwdriver). There are two main types you should recognize: the platte kop (flat head) and the kruiskop (Phillips head).
If you need to grip a small part or bend a wire, you use a tang (pliers). You might tell a friend, "Pak de tang even voor mij" (Grab the pliers for me for a moment). When a piece of wood is too long for your project, you must use a zaag (saw) to shorten it. Modern DIY enthusiasts often prefer a boormachine (drill) for making holes in stone or wood. This electronic tool is much faster than doing the work by hand. Finally, you must always verify your dimensions with a meetlint (measuring tape) before you start. Measuring twice prevents mistakes that cost money and waste materials.
Household tasks: Fixes and maintenance — Learn words for klusje, repareren, ophangen, schoonmaken, schilderen, and monteren.
In the Netherlands, a small repair job is often called a klusje (chore/small job). If you enjoy doing these yourself, people might call you a klusjesman (handyman). When something breaks, your first instinct is to repareren (to repair) it rather than throwing it away. Morgen ga ik de kapotte stoel repareren (Tomorrow I am going to repair the broken chair). This verb is essential when talking to your huisbaas (landlord) about things that aren't working in your rented home.
Decorating your space usually involves the verb ophangen (to hang up). You use this for curtains, lamps, or pictures of your family. Before you can relax in a clean house, you must schoonmaken (to clean) the surfaces and floors. If the walls look dull, it's time to schilderen (to paint) them a fresh color. This is a common weekend activity for many Dutch families who want to refresh their interiors. When you buy new furniture, the instructions will explain how to monteren (to assemble/mount) the pieces. Correct assembly ensures that your wardrobes and tables stay stable for years.
Materials and supplies: What you work with — Acquire vocabulary for spijker, schroef, lijm, verf, hout, and plastic to get the right supplies.
Buying the right supplies is just as important as having the right tools. You'll often use a spijker (nail) for simple wooden constructions or hanging lightweight items. If you need a more secure connection, a schroef (screw) is the better choice because it holds the material tightly. In de bouwmarkt zoek ik naar de juiste schroeven (In the DIY store, I search for the right screws). Sometimes metal fasteners aren't suitable, so you use lijm (glue) instead.
There are specific types like houtlijm (wood glue) for carpentry or secondelijm (superglue) for quick fixes. For a total transformation of a room, you'll need several liters of verf (paint). You can choose between mat (matte) or glans (gloss) finishes depending on your preference. Most traditional Dutch homes feature a lot of hout (wood) in their construction and furniture. This natural material requires regular maintenance to prevent rot or wear.
Modern apartments often use more plastic (plastic) for window frames or drainage pipes because it lasts a long time without needing paint. You might also find plastic used in flooring or insulation materials. Understanding these material names helps you follow DIY videos or read the labels on products at the store. When you know exactly what you're looking for, your shopping trip becomes much faster and less stressful. Moreover, you'll be able to explain exactly what you need if you have to ask a store clerk for assistance in the gangpad (aisle).
Bottom line
Learning these 30 words gives you the foundation to handle most minor home improvement situations in the Netherlands. You can now identify your tools and explain which chores you're performing. Being able to name materials like wood or paint ensures you get the right products at the store. This vocabulary makes you more independent in maintaining your living space and communicating with Dutch professionals. The single most important takeaway is that mastering these nouns and verbs allows you to describe home repairs clearly to landlords and shop staff.
