LEARN DUTCH · ONLINE VOCABULARY GAME
Word Commando turns Dutch vocabulary practice into an arcade game, finally giving language learning the excessive firepower it deserves.
All the swagger of an ’80s action hero. Considerably more attention to correct grammar.
Beginners welcome. Headband optional.
Play Word CommandoPlay in your browser. Start as a guest. Currently in beta.
A LITTLE LESS TALK. A LITTLE MORE VOCABULARY.
Read the Dutch prompt, shoot its English match, then see the illustrated answer. A short, silent recording of the beta.
VOCAB, VOCAB, VOCAB.
Grammar matters. Listening matters. Conversation matters.
But all of them work a lot better when you actually know what people are saying.
Words are the ammunition of language — and some words get fired a lot more often than others.
That's why Word Commando concentrates on the 3700+ most high-frequency Dutch words first.
Recent research using large Dutch corpora found that roughly 1,500 high-frequency words account for about 90% of word occurrences in spoken Dutch. Around 5,300 account for 95%.
That doesn't mean 1,500 words makes you fluent.
It means some words do far more heavy lifting than others.
Learn the words that do the most damage first.
Source: Johan Vanparys, 2026: De lexicale behoeften van de NVT-leerder. These figures describe corpus coverage, not a guarantee of understanding or the coverage of this game's own list.
SCIENCE UNDER THE HOOD.
Word Commando is built around well-established principles from vocabulary and memory research.
Then we covered them in camouflage.
Learning Dutch takes practice. Finding the enthusiasm for another round of flashcards can take a small hostage negotiation.
Word Commando adds a little action to the routine, with short missions, adjustable difficulty and a soundtrack that assumes that all problems can be solved with epic synths and overwhelming force.
Spaced repetition brings words back for review. Mistakes return sooner; words you remember move to longer intervals.
Forgot one? Happens to the best of us. Even the bloke with the helicopter.
Choose written or spoken prompts, and choose words or images and in both translation directions. More options than an ’80s commando has knives strapped to places knives should not be.
Visual cues that burn noun gender into your brain like a landmine in your helmet.
You’re not the only macho hero with gender issues. Apparently, enormous biceps still don’t excuse you from learning de and het. All het nouns get distinctive purple images. De nouns don’t. Your brain notices the difference — even if your hero refuses to discuss his feelings.
dehet
Choose your difficulty, pace and word target. Start with a short round and adjust the challenge as you go.
Twenty words is a perfectly respectable mission. You can save the world after lunch.
Pick your mission →HOW TO PLAY WORD COMMANDO
Start with a small set of words and Dutch-to-English practice.
Read or listen to the prompt, then aim at the correct translation/image.
Review tricky words, try listening mode or switch directions.
Take your time. The dramatic music can do the rushing.
A LITTLE PRACTICE. WHEREVER DUTY CALLS.
Use Word Commando between lessons to practise vocabulary. Play it while doomscrolling on the toilet (Gross. I'm not touching your phone).
Play Word Commando
BIG GUNS. SMALL MONTHLY BILL.
Sectors 1–5 and the Pronouns & articles bonus sector stay free. Play as a guest or sign in to save progress across devices.
A full-game subscription unlocks every later sector and the other bonus drills. Try it free for 14 days, then pay €6/month, including VAT where applicable. Renews monthly until cancelled.
Cancel in My Account before your trial ends to pay nothing. One trial per verified email. No subscription starts just by signing in.
Buy the game as it exists today. Extra languages and other planned features are not guaranteed. Saved progress may reset during beta.
BRIEF ANSWERS. BIG BICEPS.
English speakers learning Dutch, from beginners onwards. Other languages are coming soon.
Word Commando focuses on vocabulary. Pair it with lessons and everyday practice for grammar, sentences and conversation. But even just doing Word Commando alone will get you surprisingly far through the language learning jungle.
Yes. Choose spoken prompts to practise recognising Dutch words by ear.
No downloads necessary. Start as a guest in your browser. Guest progress stays in that browser; an optional account syncs progress across sessions and devices.
Yes. Turn your phone sideways for missions and use the touch controls. It works on any computer, phone, tablet or device with a browser.
The first five sectors and Pronouns & articles are always free. The full game is €6/month including VAT where applicable, after a 14-day free trial. Cancel in My Account before the trial ends to pay nothing. Your vocabulary gets bigger; the price does not sneak up at checkout.
Word Commando is still growing. Expect a few rough edges, and bear in mind that saved progress may reset during development.
Give it a go and tell us what works, what’s confusing, or what needs a little less dramatic shouting.
NO WORD LEFT BEHIND
A short mission. A few useful words. A completely unnecessary amount of swagger.
Play Word Commando