Learn Dutch: Toe maar, neem een koekje!

Toe maar is a common fixed phrase that translates to "go ahead" or "go on". You use it when you want to encourage someone to do something, like taking a treat!

Doesn't maar usually mean "but"? Why is it used here?

Yes, maar means "but", but it is also used as a filler word to make a sentence sound friendlier or more casual. Here, it helps turn a direct command into a polite and encouraging invitation.

Why is the verb neem instead of neemt or nemen?

Neem is the command form (imperative) of the verb nemen (to take). To tell someone to do something in Dutch, you just use the verb stem, which is exactly the same as the ik (I) form. You do not add a -t.

Why do we say koekje instead of just koek?

Adding -je to the end makes it a diminutive, which means a smaller version of something. While koek refers to a cake or a very large cookie, the Dutch almost always use koekje to refer to a standard, everyday cookie.