How to Pronounce rijbewijs

CEFR level: B1

English: driver's license

Say it like RAY-bay-vays

Phonetic breakdown

The word is a compound of 'rij' (drive) and 'bewijs' (proof), pronounced with a hard guttural 'g' sound in the middle.

Learners often mispronounce the 'ij' as an English 'ee' sound, whereas it should sound like the 'y' in 'sky'.

In the Netherlands, you are legally required to carry your rijbewijs with you whenever you are operating a motor vehicle.