Dutch pronunciation has several sounds that do not exist in English, causing systematic errors. The biggest challenge: the Dutch g (hard g or zachte g). In northern Dutch this is a back-of-throat fricative similar to the Scottish ch in loch. Many learners produce a weak English h instead. Practice by gargling, then gradually reduce to a friction sound: g, g, g. Words like gaan, goed, geweldig all require this.
The Dutch ui sound (as in huis, uit, buik) has no English equivalent. It is a diphthong combining a rounded front vowel with a short schwa — something between English ow and oi but neither. The ij and ei sounds (as in zijn, mijn, trein) are also diphthongs — start with a short e and glide toward a j sound. The eu (as in neus, deur, leuk) is another rounded front vowel with no English equivalent — practice by rounding your lips as if for oo while trying to say ee.
Common consonant mistakes: Dutch w is not the same as English w. Dutch w is pronounced with the upper teeth on the lower lip — more like a v but softer. Do not say wij like why — say it with that dental friction. Dutch r varies by region: southern Dutch often use a tapped or rolled r; northern/Randstad Dutch use a uvular r (back-of-throat). Dutch final consonants are always voiceless: hond is pronounced hont, bad is bat. This final devoicing rule is consistent and once learned, prevents many errors.