vindje.com / Guides / Buying on Marktplaats
Sellers write in Dutch, so the right Dutch word is the difference between three results and three hundred. This glossary covers the words you will search for most, the condition terms, and the abbreviations you will see in titles. Use it as a reference while you search.
Dutch is often more specific than English, so try the compound word too. 'Kast' on its own is a catch-all for almost any cabinet or cupboard, so add what kind: kledingkast, boekenkast, tv-meubel (TV stand), schoenenkast (shoe cabinet), vitrinekast (glass display cabinet).
Bike listings are full of jargon. Frame size is in cm, measured along the seat tube, and sellers often only give that number in the title, like 'Gazelle 57 cm'.
These are how sellers describe wear. They are self-reported, so treat them as an opening claim, not a guarantee. 'Zo goed als nieuw' on a five year old sofa usually means clean and undamaged, not unused. Ask for a close-up photo of the worn spots, such as armrests, seat cushions and corners, before you travel.
Most electronics keep their English names (laptop, tablet, smartphone, monitor), which makes them easier to search. A few Dutch words still matter.
Listings rarely include everything, so these words help you ask the right question.
Afmetingen means dimensions, written as lengte (length), breedte (width), hoogte (height) and diepte (depth), usually in cm. Zithoogte is seat height. Hout is wood, eiken oak, grenen pine, metaal metal, leer leather, stof fabric. Rookvrij means from a smoke-free home and huisdiervrij means no pets, both worth searching for if you have allergies.
Search tip: Dutch compound words can be split or joined by different sellers, so 'eet tafel' and 'eettafel' are both out there. Also try the diminutive, which ends in -je or -tje: kastje (small cabinet), tafeltje (small table), lampje (small lamp). Small items are often listed that way.
Describe what you want in your own words and vindje.com searches Marktplaats in Dutch, then reads every listing and keeps only the real matches. For example:
Oak dining table for 6 with chairs, from a smoke-free home, under 300 euro near EindhovenSearch Marktplaats like this
It stands for 'zo goed als nieuw', which means as good as new. It is the seller's own judgment, so check the photos.
'Nader overeen te komen': the price is to be agreed. The seller wants offers instead of naming a price.
Bank. A corner sofa is a hoekbank and a sofa bed is a slaapbank.
'Must go'. The seller is usually moving or clearing space, which often means a lower price and some room to negotiate.
Both mean you collect the item at the seller's address. 'Alleen ophalen' means pickup only, so check the location before you message.