B1 Dutch GrammarTwo-Way Prepositions
Master Dutch prepositions that distinguish between location and direction. Learn when to use 'in' vs 'naar', 'op' for surfaces, and how verbs determine whether prepositions express static location or movement.
1Location vs Direction Prepositions
Dutch distinguishes location (where?) from direction (where to?) with different prepositions. 'In' indicates inside location, 'naar' indicates direction to. 'Op' means on (location) but also onto with motion verbs. The verb determines the meaning.
Location vs Direction
| Location | Direction | English |
|---|---|---|
| in het huis | naar het huis | in/to the house |
| op de tafel | op de tafel | on/onto the table |
| bij de deur | naar de deur | at/to the door |
| aan de muur | aan de muur | on/onto the wall |
Examples
Ik ben in Amsterdam.
I am in Amsterdam.
in = location
Ik ga naar Amsterdam.
I go to Amsterdam.
naar = direction
Het boek ligt op de tafel.
The book is on the table.
op = on (location)
Leg het boek op de tafel.
Put the book on the table.
op with motion verb
2The Preposition 'In' (In/Inside)
'In' indicates location inside something. It doesn't change between location and direction - the verb determines meaning. 'Zijn' (be) + in = location. 'Gaan' (go) + in = direction. For 'into', often use 'in' alone or 'naar binnen'.
Uses of 'In'
| Context | Location | Direction |
|---|---|---|
| Room | in de kamer | in de kamer (gaan) |
| City | in de stad | in de stad (gaan) |
| Country | in Nederland | naar Nederland |
| Building | in het gebouw | in het gebouw |
Examples
Ze zit in de keuken.
She is sitting in the kitchen.
location with zitten
Ze loopt in de keuken.
She walks into the kitchen.
direction with lopen
Wij wonen in een flat.
We live in an apartment.
location with wonen
Kom binnen in het huis.
Come into the house.
binnenkomen = enter
3Op, Aan, Bij (On, At)
'Op' means on (horizontal surface). 'Aan' means on (vertical/attached). 'Bij' means near/at. These work for both location and direction. Motion verbs like 'leggen', 'zetten', 'hangen' indicate placement.
Surface Prepositions
| Preposition | Use | Example |
|---|---|---|
| op | on (horizontal) | op de vloer |
| aan | on (attached) | aan de muur |
| bij | near, at | bij het station |
| tegen | against | tegen de muur |
Examples
De kat zit op de stoel.
The cat is sitting on the chair.
op for surface
Hang het schilderij aan de muur.
Hang the painting on the wall.
aan for attachment
Ik wacht bij de ingang.
I wait at the entrance.
bij for location near
Zet de fiets tegen de muur.
Put the bike against the wall.
tegen for against
4Verbs of Position and Motion
Dutch pairs position verbs (location) with motion verbs (placement). Liggen/leggen (lie/lay), zitten/zetten (sit/set), staan/zetten (stand/put), hangen/hangen (hang). The position verb shows state, the motion verb shows action.
Position vs Motion Verbs
| Position (State) | Motion (Action) | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| liggen | leggen | lie / lay |
| zitten | zetten | sit / set |
| staan | zetten | stand / put |
| hangen | hangen | hang (intrans/trans) |
Examples
Het boek ligt op de tafel.
The book is lying on the table.
liggen = position
Ik leg het boek op de tafel.
I lay the book on the table.
leggen = motion
De vaas staat op de kast.
The vase is standing on the cupboard.
staan = upright position
Ik zet de vaas op de kast.
I put the vase on the cupboard.
zetten = place upright