How Many Dutch Words Do You Know?
Take this free 2-minute test to estimate your Dutch vocabulary size and discover your CEFR level.
Dutch Vocabulary Size Test
You'll see 50 dutch words. For each one, mark whether you know its meaning. We'll estimate your total vocabulary size.
50 words
From 10 frequency bands
~2 minutes
Quick and easy
CEFR level
A1 through C2
Be honest! Only mark "I know this" if you can recall the meaning without guessing. The test works best when you answer truthfully — overestimating will skew your results.
Science-Based
Uses adaptive frequency sampling from a 10,000-word corpus to accurately estimate your total vocabulary size from just 50 words.
CEFR Mapping
See exactly where you fall on the A1-C2 scale and how many words you need to reach the next level of fluency.
Share Your Results
Get a shareable results card to show friends and track your progress over time as your vocabulary grows.
Understanding Your Dutch Vocabulary Size
Vocabulary size is one of the strongest predictors of language proficiency. Research by Paul Nation and others has shown that knowing the most frequent 2,000-3,000 word families of a language gives you coverage of roughly 90% of everyday conversation, while 5,000+ word families are needed for comfortable reading of authentic texts.
This test works by showing you words sampled from different frequency bands of the Dutch language. By checking which words you recognize across these bands, we can statistically estimate your total vocabulary. The adaptive sampling method ensures accurate results even with a small number of test words.
At the A1-A2 level (up to ~1,500 words), you can handle basic survival situations. At B1-B2 (1,500-5,000 words), you can follow conversations, read news articles, and express yourself on familiar topics. At C1-C2 (5,000+ words), you can engage with complex texts, understand humor and nuance, and express yourself with precision.
The best way to grow your vocabulary is through extensive reading and listening at your level — what linguists call comprehensible input. Lenguia is built around this principle, offering stories, articles, and podcasts tailored to your proficiency level.
Take your learning further
Learn Languages with Lenguia
Vocabulary Milestones for Dutch Learners
500 words
Order food, ask for directions, introduce yourself
Survival Basics
1,500 words
Discuss daily routines, hobbies, and plans
Simple Conversations
3,000 words
Follow news, express opinions, handle most travel situations
Independent Communication
5,000 words
Read novels, watch movies without subtitles, discuss abstract topics
Fluent Reading
8,000 words
Understand idioms, humor, specialized vocabulary, and regional variation
Near-Native Comprehension
10,000+ words
Engage with any text, understand subtle nuances and rare expressions
Full Mastery
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Methodology
This test uses adaptive frequency sampling. Words are organized into 10 frequency bands representing the most common 10,000 words, and 5 words are randomly sampled from each band to create a 50-word test. Your recognition rate per band is extrapolated to estimate total vocabulary size.
The word lists were curated to approximate frequency rankings informed by established corpora and frequency research. They are not direct exports from any single corpus, but are designed to span a realistic difficulty range from everyday vocabulary to rare and literary terms.
CEFR vocabulary thresholds are approximate estimates based on research by Paul Nation and the Council of Europe CEFR framework. For Japanese and Mandarin, level mappings additionally reference JLPT and HSK standards respectively.
This is an estimation tool for fun and self-assessment. Results are approximate and should not be treated as a certified proficiency measurement.