Formal vs informal: u or je
In DUO writing tasks, you will write short e-mails or notes to various people. Assessors look closely at your chosen register (formal vs. informal). Making a mistake here, especially mixing the two in the same message, guarantees a heavy deduction.
1. Who gets "u" and who gets "je"?
- Formeel (u): Use this for authorities, companies, and people you do not know. Always use u when writing to de gemeente (the municipality), de huisarts (the doctor), or de leraar (the teacher).
- Informeel (je / jij): Use this for friends, family, and usually de buurvrouw (the neighbor) or a close colleague.
2. Greetings and Closings
Every message needs a greeting (aanhef) and a closing (afsluiting). Missing these will cost you points.
- Formeel: Start with Beste meneer/mevrouw, or Geachte heer, (very formal). Always end with Met vriendelijke groet,.
- Informeel: Start with Hoi Lisa, or Beste Lisa,. End with Groetjes,.
Coach tip: The word Beste is a safe choice for almost any message. You can write Beste huisarts, and Beste vriend,. However, Groetjes, is strictly informal. Never send a message to the municipality that ends in Groetjes,.
3. Never mix u and je in the same text
The most heavily penalized error on DUO writing tasks is starting with formal u and then using informal je or jouw in the next sentence. Once you choose a register, hold it for the entire text.