To dictate in Dutch on a Mac, open System Settings → Keyboard, go to Dictation (Dicteerfunctie on a Dutch-language Mac), click Edit next to Languages, and select Dutch (Netherlands) or Dutch (Belgium). Start Dictation and pick Dutch from the language shown next to the cursor. Apple lists both Dutch variants for on-device dictation, automatic punctuation and emoji, so Dutch gets every core Dictation feature Apple lists outside English.
The steps come from Apple's Dictate messages and documents on Mac for macOS 27 Golden Gate, and its Dutch edition, Berichten en documenten dicteren op de Mac. If your screen differs, search System Settings for "Dictation" or "Dicteerfunctie".
How do you turn on Dutch dictation?
- Choose Apple menu → System Settings, then click Keyboard ('Toetsenbord') in the sidebar.
- Go to Dictation ('Dicteerfunctie') and turn it on.
- Click Edit ('Wijzig') next to Languages ('Talen') and select Dutch (Netherlands) or Dutch (Belgium).
- Stay online while the Mac sets the language up. Apple's feature page says on-device dictation "Requires download of speech models."
- In a text field, start Dictation with the Microphone key, your Dictation shortcut, or Edit → Start Dictation, and check that the language next to the cursor is Dutch.
If you also dictate in English or French, select those too. Switch by clicking the language next to the cursor, or press the Globe key and choose. Apple's guide describes switching by hand, not automatic detection.
Netherlands or Belgium: which Dutch should you pick?
From Apple's macOS feature availability page for macOS Golden Gate, checked on 2 October 2026:
| Feature | Dutch (Netherlands) | Dutch (Belgium) |
|---|---|---|
| Dictation | Yes | Yes |
| On-device dictation | Yes | Yes |
| Auto-punctuation | Yes | Yes |
| Dictate emoji | Yes | Yes |
| More advanced Dictation (Apple Intelligence) | Not listed | Not listed |
Apple lists the newer "More advanced Dictation" for English regions only.
Apple lists the same features for both variants and does not explain how they differ. The practical choice is to pick the region that matches how you speak, then dictate a test paragraph. If place names, vocabulary or number formats come out in a way you do not expect, try the other variant on the same passage. You can keep both selected and switch from the cursor menu.
In Belgium, many people also dictate in French. Apple lists French (Belgium) with the same four features on the same page, so a Dutch-French setup works the same way. Dictate in French on a Mac covers the French side.
Because both Dutch variants are on the on-device list, your Mac can process Dutch dictation locally once the speech model is downloaded. Apple's guide says the text below the Dictation switch in Keyboard settings confirms it. Is Mac Dictation private? explains that note.
How do you say punctuation in Dutch?
With Auto-punctuation ('Automatische leestekens') on, Dictation adds commas, full stops and question marks for you. Turn it off under Keyboard → Dictation if you prefer to say every mark.
Apple's Dutch command list, Commando's voor het dicteren van tekst op de Mac, is identical in the Netherlands and Belgian editions. It is only partly translated:
| Command as printed | Result |
|---|---|
| komma | , |
| vraagteken | ? |
| dubbele punt | : |
| puntkomma | ; |
| openingshaakje / sluitingshaakje | ( ) |
| apostrof | ' |
| nieuwe regel | new line |
| nieuwe alinea | new paragraph |
| period / point / dot / full stop | . (printed in English) |
| exclamation mark | ! (printed in English) |
| quote / end quote | " ” (printed in English) |
| dollarteken / euro sign | $ / € |
The Dutch Dictation guide itself uses "uitroepteken" as its example, and the command page prints "exclamation mark". Apple gives no Dutch word for the full stop. Try "punt" and "uitroepteken" first, fall back to the English words from the list, and keep whichever your Mac obeys. Apple does not say which form works; test it.
Dutch keyboard and accents
Dictation language and keyboard layout are separate. Apple's Write in another language on Mac has you add keyboards under Keyboard → Text Input → Edit, and says a new input source's language also joins "your list of Dictation languages (if available)". The same page mentions the accent menu for typing "characters with accent marks", which is the quick way to fix a missing é or ë in words such as "één" or "geëmigreerd" after you dictate.
Apple's Dictation guide does not say you need a Dutch input source active to dictate Dutch.
What about other dictation apps?
Apple's Dictation is free and lists every core feature for both Dutch variants. Test it first.
SuprFlow's requirements page lists 19 languages, including Dutch, and its setup asks you to choose a speech-recognition language. It does not list Netherlands and Belgium separately. We have not tested accuracy per language and make no accuracy claim for Dutch or for either regional variety. How to test SuprFlow with another language gives a short test. SuprFlow costs $125 once and has no free tier.
A 10-minute test for your Dutch
- Write four made-up sentences: two ordinary, one with an English product or person name, and one with a date, an amount and a negation. For example: "De vergadering met Jordan Chen is op 14 mei. Het bedrag is 2.750 euro, niet 2.570."
- Dictate them into Notes with your Dutch variant active and Auto-punctuation on.
- Check accents, compound words, the name, the figures and "niet".
- Repeat with the other Dutch variant and compare.
- Turn Auto-punctuation off and try "punt" and "uitroepteken".
Questions people ask
How do I use Dutch dictation on a Mac?
Add Dutch (Netherlands) or Dutch (Belgium) under System Settings → Keyboard → Dictation → Languages → Edit, start Dictation, and choose Dutch from the language shown next to the cursor.
Should I choose Dutch (Netherlands) or Dutch (Belgium)?
Apple lists the same Dictation features for both and does not explain the difference. Pick the one that matches your speech, test it, and keep both if you are unsure.
Does Mac dictation add punctuation in Dutch?
Yes. Apple lists both Dutch variants for auto-punctuation. You can also say marks such as "komma" and "vraagteken", which appear on Apple's Dutch command list.
Does Dutch dictation work offline on a Mac?
Apple lists both Dutch variants for on-device dictation, after a speech model download. The text below the Dictation switch in Keyboard settings confirms how your Mac processes it.
Related guides
- How to use voice to text on a Mac
- Dictate in French on a Mac
- Dictate in German on a Mac
- Mac dictation commands and punctuation
- How to test SuprFlow with another language
- Is Mac Dictation private?
Sources
- Apple — Dictate messages and documents on Mac
- Apple — Berichten en documenten dicteren op de Mac
- Apple — Commando's voor het dicteren van tekst op de Mac (Nederland)
- Apple — Commando's voor het dicteren van tekst op de Mac (België)
- Apple — macOS feature availability
- Apple — Write in another language on Mac
- SuprFlow — System requirements