Learning prepositions is a crucial part of mastering any language, and Dutch is no exception. Prepositions of time help us express when something happens, from specific moments to broader periods. In this article, we will delve into the various prepositions of time in Dutch, providing detailed explanations and examples to help English speakers understand and use them correctly.
Understanding Prepositions of Time
Prepositions of time are words that connect nouns, pronouns, or phrases to other words in a sentence, specifying when something occurs. In Dutch, prepositions of time are used similarly to English, but there are some nuances and differences worth noting. Let’s explore the key prepositions of time in Dutch, categorized by their application to days, parts of the day, dates, months, seasons, and years.
Dagen van de Week (Days of the Week)
When talking about days of the week, Dutch uses the preposition “op” (on). For example:
– “Ik ga op maandag naar de markt.” (I go to the market on Monday.)
– “De vergadering is op vrijdag.” (The meeting is on Friday.)
Here is a list of the days of the week in Dutch:
– maandag (Monday)
– dinsdag (Tuesday)
– woensdag (Wednesday)
– donderdag (Thursday)
– vrijdag (Friday)
– zaterdag (Saturday)
– zondag (Sunday)
Notice that “op” is used consistently with each day of the week to indicate a specific day when something happens.
Parts of the Day
To talk about parts of the day, such as morning, afternoon, evening, and night, Dutch typically uses the preposition “in” (in). For example:
– “Ik werk in de ochtend.” (I work in the morning.)
– “We eten in de avond.” (We eat in the evening.)
Here are the common parts of the day in Dutch:
– de ochtend (the morning)
– de middag (the afternoon)
– de avond (the evening)
– de nacht (the night)
However, there are exceptions. For example, “in” is used for “de ochtend” (the morning) and “de middag” (the afternoon), but “in” changes to “op” when referring to the night:
– “Ik slaap ‘s nachts.” (I sleep at night.)
The phrase “‘s nachts” is a contraction of “des nachts,” meaning “of the night.” It’s an older form that has been shortened in modern Dutch.
Specific Times and Hours
When referring to specific times and hours, Dutch uses the preposition “om” (at). For example:
– “De trein vertrekt om 10 uur.” (The train leaves at 10 o’clock.)
– “Het concert begint om 8 uur ‘s avonds.” (The concert starts at 8 in the evening.)
Dates
When talking about specific dates, Dutch uses the preposition “op” (on). For example:
– “Ik ben geboren op 3 juli.” (I was born on the 3rd of July.)
– “We vieren Kerstmis op 25 december.” (We celebrate Christmas on December 25th.)
Note that the format for dates in Dutch is often day-month-year, similar to many European countries, which can differ from the month-day-year format used in the United States.
Months
For months, Dutch uses the preposition “in” (in). For example:
– “Ik ga in juli op vakantie.” (I go on vacation in July.)
– “De school begint weer in september.” (School starts again in September.)
Here are the months in Dutch:
– januari (January)
– februari (February)
– maart (March)
– april (April)
– mei (May)
– juni (June)
– juli (July)
– augustus (August)
– september (September)
– oktober (October)
– november (November)
– december (December)
Seasons
When referring to seasons, Dutch also uses the preposition “in” (in). For example:
– “In de lente bloeien de bloemen.” (In the spring, the flowers bloom.)
– “In de winter is het koud.” (In the winter, it is cold.)
Here are the seasons in Dutch:
– de lente (the spring)
– de zomer (the summer)
– de herfst (the autumn/fall)
– de winter (the winter)
Years
For years, Dutch uses the preposition “in” (in). For example:
– “Ik ben geboren in 1985.” (I was born in 1985.)
– “We verhuisden in 2010.” (We moved in 2010.)
Note that in Dutch, years are said as full numbers, similar to English.
Common Phrases and Expressions
Understanding prepositions of time in Dutch also involves learning some common phrases and expressions. Here are a few that might come in handy:
1. “over een week” (in a week)
– “We gaan over een week op reis.” (We are going on a trip in a week.)
2. “na het eten” (after dinner)
– “Ik bel je na het eten.” (I’ll call you after dinner.)
3. “voor de lunch” (before lunch)
– “Ik ga voor de lunch naar de winkel.” (I’ll go to the store before lunch.)
4. “sinds gisteren” (since yesterday)
– “Ik ben ziek sinds gisteren.” (I have been sick since yesterday.)
5. “tot morgen” (until tomorrow)
– “Werk hard tot morgen.” (Work hard until tomorrow.)
Differences Between Dutch and English
While many prepositions of time in Dutch are similar to those in English, there are some differences and nuances that learners should be aware of.
1. Use of “in” and “op”:
– In Dutch, “in” is used for parts of the day, months, seasons, and years, whereas English uses “in” for months, seasons, and years but “at” for specific times and “on” for days of the week and dates.
– Example: “In de ochtend” (In the morning) vs. “On Monday” (Op maandag).
2. Use of “om”:
– Dutch uses “om” for specific times, similar to English using “at.”
– Example: “Om 10 uur” (At 10 o’clock).
3. Contracted Forms:
– Dutch sometimes uses contracted forms, such as “‘s nachts” (at night), which are not as common in English.
– Example: “‘s avonds” (In the evening).
Practice Exercises
To solidify your understanding of Dutch prepositions of time, let’s do a few practice exercises. Fill in the blanks with the correct prepositions:
1. Ik heb een afspraak ___ dinsdag.
– Answer: op (I have an appointment on Tuesday.)
2. We gaan ___ juli naar Spanje.
– Answer: in (We are going to Spain in July.)
3. Het feestje begint ___ 8 uur ‘s avonds.
– Answer: om (The party starts at 8 PM.)
4. ___ de zomer gaan we vaak naar het strand.
– Answer: In (In the summer, we often go to the beach.)
5. Ik ben geboren ___ 1995.
– Answer: in (I was born in 1995.)
6. Het concert is ___ 25 augustus.
– Answer: op (The concert is on August 25th.)
Conclusion
Mastering prepositions of time in Dutch is essential for clear and accurate communication. By understanding and practicing the use of “op,” “in,” “om,” and other prepositions, you can confidently talk about when events occur, from specific days and times to months and years. Remember that practice is key, so try to use these prepositions in your daily conversations and writing. With time and effort, you’ll become more proficient in expressing time-related concepts in Dutch. Veel succes! (Good luck!)
