Jij of u · 2 min
je or u — how formal do you have to be?
Less formal than you think. Getting this wrong is the fastest way to sound stiff.
The Netherlands is one of the least formal countries in Europe. In an office, everyone — including the director — is je. Using u with a colleague sounds odd, distant, almost sarcastic.
Colleagues, friends, anyone under about 60: je / jij / jou. Strangers over 60, officials, doctors, formal letters: u.
Heb je even?
Do you have a minute?
colleague
Kunt u mij helpen?
Could you help me?
stranger at a counter
Wat vind jij ervan?
What do YOU think?
jij is the stressed form
Zal ik je tutoyeren?
Shall we use je?
the actual phrase for switching
watch out
If someone addresses you with je, mirror it immediately. If they use u and you're not sure, u is the safe default for exactly one exchange — then follow their lead.