Here are some greetings that express surprise in Dutch:
“Wow, wat een verrassing!” (Wow, what a surprise!)
“Geloof het of niet, jij bent het!” (Believe it or not, it’s you!)
“Ik kan mijn ogen niet geloven!” (I can’t believe my eyes!)
“Wat leuk om je hier te zien!” (How nice to see you here!)
“Geen idee dat je hier zou zijn!” (No idea you would be here!)
“Hé, wat doe je hier?” (Hey, what are you doing here?) (More informal)
“Lang geleden!” (Long time no see!)
“Wat een onverwachte ontmoeting!” (What an unexpected encounter!)
“Ik had je hier niet verwacht!” (I didn’t expect you here!)
“Wat leuk dat je er bent!” (How nice that you’re here!) (More informal)
These greetings can be used in various situations to express surprise when encountering someone you didn’t expect to see. The specific greeting you choose will depend on the context and your relationship with the person.
Here are some additional tips for expressing surprise in Dutch:
Use facial expressions and body language: Raise your eyebrows, widen your eyes, and smile to convey surprise.
Vary your tone of voice: Speak with a higher pitch and enthusiasm to emphasize your surprise.
Ask follow-up questions: Show genuine interest by asking questions about how the person came to be there or what they’re up to.
Remember, genuine surprise is often the most effective way to express it. Let your emotions show and enjoy the unexpected encounter!