A1 Dutch GrammarTime Expressions
Learn to tell time and express dates, days, and time-related vocabulary in Dutch. Master the unique Dutch clock system and common time phrases.
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1Telling Time (Hours)
Dutch tells time relative to the hour. 'Om' means 'at'. Full hours: 'uur' (o'clock). Half hours are relative to the NEXT hour: half acht = 7:30 (half to eight).
Telling Time
| Dutch | Time | English |
|---|---|---|
| drie uur | 3:00 | three o'clock |
| half vier | 3:30 | half past three |
| kwart over drie | 3:15 | quarter past three |
| kwart voor vier | 3:45 | quarter to four |
Examples
Het is acht uur.
It is eight o'clock.
full hour
Ik kom om half negen.
I'm coming at 8:30.
half to NEXT hour
De film begint om kwart over zeven.
The movie starts at 7:15.
quarter past
Het is kwart voor twaalf.
It is quarter to twelve.
quarter to
2Days of the Week
Days don't need capitals in Dutch. Use 'op' before days: op maandag (on Monday). Add -s for regular occurrence: maandags (on Mondays).
Days of the Week
| Dutch | English | Abbreviation |
|---|---|---|
| maandag | Monday | ma |
| dinsdag | Tuesday | di |
| woensdag | Wednesday | wo |
| donderdag | Thursday | do |
| vrijdag | Friday | vr |
| zaterdag | Saturday | za |
| zondag | Sunday | zo |
Examples
Ik werk op maandag.
I work on Monday.
op + day
Zij komt dinsdag.
She's coming Tuesday.
no 'op' also possible
Wij sporten vrijdags.
We exercise on Fridays.
-s for habitual
Het weekend begint zaterdag.
The weekend starts Saturday.
zaterdag/zondag
3Months and Seasons
Months don't need capitals. Seasons use 'in': in de winter. For months, use 'in': in januari (in January).
Months
| Dutch | English | Dutch | English |
|---|---|---|---|
| januari | January | juli | July |
| februari | February | augustus | August |
| maart | March | september | September |
| april | April | oktober | October |
| mei | May | november | November |
| juni | June | december | December |
Examples
Mijn verjaardag is in mei.
My birthday is in May.
in + month
In de zomer is het warm.
In summer it is warm.
in de + season
December is koud.
December is cold.
no article needed
De herfst begint in september.
Autumn starts in September.
de herfst = autumn
4Time Words
Common time words: vandaag (today), morgen (tomorrow), gisteren (yesterday), nu (now), later, altijd (always), nooit (never).
Time Words
| Dutch | English | Example |
|---|---|---|
| vandaag | today | Vandaag is het mooi. |
| morgen | tomorrow | Tot morgen! |
| gisteren | yesterday | Gisteren regende het. |
| nu | now | Kom nu! |
| straks | later/soon | Tot straks! |
| altijd | always | Hij is altijd laat. |
Examples
Ik ga morgen naar school.
I'm going to school tomorrow.
morgen = tomorrow
Gisteren was ik ziek.
Yesterday I was sick.
gisteren = yesterday
Wat doe je nu?
What are you doing now?
nu = now
Ik eet altijd om zes uur.
I always eat at six o'clock.
altijd = always
Practice Exercises
3 exercises
'Tomorrow' in Dutch is:
How do you say 'on Monday' in Dutch?
To express 'in summer' you say:
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