Yes, Flemish is a variety or dialect cluster of the Dutch language, spoken in the Flanders region of Belgium, sharing the same official standard language (Dutch) but with distinct pronunciation, vocabulary (often with French influence), and usage, making it a "soft" variant compared to the Dutch in the Netherlands. While linguistically Dutch, "Flemish" is used to describe this Belgian form, which differs in accent and some expressions but remains mutually intelligible with Dutch spoken in the Netherlands.
Belgians are made up of two main linguistic and ethnic groups; the Dutch-speakers (called the Flemish) and the French-speakers (mostly Walloons), as well as a third tiny but constitutionally recognized group from two small German-speaking areas.
Belgium is a federated country with three official languages: Dutch, French, and German. Flanders (the Flemish region) is a Dutch speaking community with 6.5 million inhabitants in the northern part of Belgium. In the region of Brussels, French and Dutch are the official languages.
The term "Flemish" came to be a term for the language Dutch, and during the 19th and 20th centuries, it became increasingly common to refer exclusively to the Dutch-speaking part of Belgium as "Flanders". Belgium divided itself into official French- and Dutch-speaking parts starting in the early 1960s.
Many believe that these two languages are one in the same, or that their only difference is their geographical location. In essence, a Dutch speaker will be able to understand a Flemish speaker and respond back, and the same goes for the opposite.
Living in France vs Living in Belgium | An American's point of view
How do you say "hi" in Flemish?
Saying hello in Flemish or Dutch
“Hallo” is the Dutch way of saying hello and greeting someone. This allows you to initiate a conversation with someone in Belgium and the Netherlands. “Goedendag” is the most formal greeting that can be used throughout the day without any variation.
Identity and culture. Within Belgium, Flemings form a clearly distinguishable group set apart by their language and customs. Various cultural and linguistic customs are similar to those of the Southern part of the Netherlands. Generally, Flemings do not identify themselves as being Dutch and vice versa.
Flemish GDP per capita higher than European Union average
The Flemish Region's GDP per capita is lower than that of the Netherlands but slightly higher than in Germany, and higher than that of France. Bulgaria is at the bottom of the ranking with 18,500 euro PPS, which is one fifth of the Luxembourg GDP.
This is reflected in the DNA of its inhabitants, whose genome is generally a mixture of Celtic, Roman, Frankish, Frisian and Saxon DNA. In later centuries, the region's long-term occupation by the French, the Spanish and the Austrians may also have left some traces behind in the population's DNA.
Dutch is easier than German and shares a lot with English. German is more distant but still part of the family. Icelandic is closest to Old Norse, but not to English.
Generally the opinion of the Dutch regarding the Flemish is a positive one. But you should also realise that the Netherlands itself is rather diverse. The south (Breda, Eindhoven etc...) is a lot more like Flanders. You hear that in the language, you see that in the local customs.
This is the main meal of the day—usually meat or fish with potatoes and vegetables. Mashed potatoes are a common side dish, often served with sausages or regional specialties. Common dishes include Flemish beef stew, meatballs in tomato sauce, or mussels with fries.
The Netherlands' 30% ruling is a tax advantage for highly skilled international employees, allowing employers to pay up to 30% of their gross salary tax-free for up to five years to cover "extraterritorial costs" (moving expenses/extra living costs). Key conditions include recruitment from abroad, specific expertise needed in the Netherlands, and meeting a minimum taxable salary threshold (e.g., €46,660 for most in 2025). The ruling is being phased out, with a scaling-back (30-20-10) applied in recent years and a new flat 27% rate planned from 2027, though 30% still applies for 2025-2026.
Flanders is the northern part of Belgium en people speak Dutch there. In the southern part (Wallonia) French is the standard. So, a language border runs right through Belgium, separating a Dutch area in the north from a French-speaking area in the south.
Yes, Dutch speakers can generally understand Flemish, as both are varieties of the same language. However, the differences in pronunciation, vocabulary, and expressions can sometimes create challenges, especially for Dutch speakers unfamiliar with Flemish accents or regional terms.
Long story short, there are two different ways of saying 'I love you' in Flemish. Which are: "Ik zie u/je graag" - literal translation: "I like seeing you". "Ik hou van u/je" - literal translation: "I love you".
Both French allez and Belgian Dutch allee have been claimed to be primarily markers indicating some form of encouragement or exhortation (Sierra Soriano, 2006; Kloots, 2007). Most obviously, and most literally, the speaker encourages co-participants (not) to do something.
When in doubt, though, just stick to goedemiddag and you should be fine. If you're learning German as well, note that this is the other way around from that language. Germans say guten Tag (“good day”) and leave the afternoon part out.
