A2 Dutch GrammarTemporal Prepositions
Learn Dutch prepositions for expressing time: sinds (since), voor (before), na (after), tijdens (during), and tot (until). Master when to use each preposition for precise time expressions.
1Basic Time Prepositions
Dutch uses specific prepositions to express different time relationships. The most common ones are in (in), op (on), om (at), and over (in/within). Choosing the right preposition depends on whether you're talking about parts of day, specific dates, clock times, or durations.
Basic Time Prepositions
| Preposition | Use | Example | English |
|---|---|---|---|
| in | months, years, seasons | in januari | in January |
| op | days, dates | op maandag | on Monday |
| om | clock time | om drie uur | at three o'clock |
| over | in (future) | over een uur | in an hour |
Examples
Ik ben geboren in 1990.
I was born in 1990.
'in' for years
De vergadering is op dinsdag.
The meeting is on Tuesday.
'op' for days of the week
De trein vertrekt om half acht.
The train leaves at half past seven.
'om' for specific clock times
Ik kom over tien minuten.
I'm coming in ten minutes.
'over' for duration until future event
2Sinds, Voor, and Na
'Sinds' indicates a starting point continuing to the present. 'Voor' means before a point in time. 'Na' means after a point in time. These prepositions help establish the sequence and duration of events.
Sequence Prepositions
| Preposition | Meaning | Example | English |
|---|---|---|---|
| sinds | since | sinds 2020 | since 2020 |
| voor | before | voor het eten | before the meal |
| na | after | na de les | after the lesson |
| binnen | within | binnen een week | within a week |
Examples
Ik woon hier sinds vijf jaar.
I've lived here for five years.
'sinds' for duration up to now
Was je handen voor het eten.
Wash your hands before eating.
'voor' indicates preceding event
Na de film gaan we naar huis.
After the movie, we go home.
'na' indicates following event
Ik moet dit afmaken binnen een uur.
I have to finish this within an hour.
'binnen' for deadline/time limit
3Tijdens and Tot
'Tijdens' means during and indicates simultaneous actions. 'Tot' means until and marks an endpoint. These prepositions define the span or limit of time during which something happens.
Duration Prepositions
| Preposition | Meaning | Example | English |
|---|---|---|---|
| tijdens | during | tijdens de les | during the lesson |
| tot | until | tot morgen | until tomorrow |
| tot en met | until and including | tot en met vrijdag | through Friday |
| gedurende | during/for | gedurende de nacht | during the night |
Examples
Tijdens de vergadering mag je niet praten.
You may not talk during the meeting.
'tijdens' for simultaneous timeframe
De winkel is open tot zes uur.
The store is open until six o'clock.
'tot' marks the endpoint
Ik ben op vakantie tot en met zondag.
I'm on vacation through Sunday.
'tot en met' includes the final day
Hij werkte gedurende de hele dag.
He worked throughout the entire day.
'gedurende' emphasizes duration
4Common Time Expressions
Dutch has many fixed time expressions using prepositions. These idiomatic phrases are essential for everyday conversation. Some expressions use no preposition at all, which differs from English usage.
Fixed Time Expressions
| Dutch | English | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 's morgens | in the morning | with possessive 's |
| 's middags | in the afternoon | with possessive 's |
| 's avonds | in the evening | with possessive 's |
| 's nachts | at night | with possessive 's |
Examples
Ik drink 's morgens altijd koffie.
I always drink coffee in the morning.
's = archaic genitive, part of fixed phrase
We eten 's avonds om zeven uur.
We eat at seven in the evening.
combining time expressions
Vorige week was ik ziek.
Last week I was sick.
no preposition with 'vorige'
Volgende maand ga ik op vakantie.
Next month I'm going on vacation.
no preposition with 'volgende'