Language/Dutch/Grammar/Prepositions-of-Place-and-Time

◀️ Order of Adjectives and Adverbs — Previous Lesson

Next Lesson — Reflexive and Possessive Pronouns ▶️

Dutch → Grammar → 0 to A1 Course → Prepositions of Place and Time

Welcome to the lesson on Prepositions of Place and Time in Dutch! This topic is crucial for anyone who wants to navigate the Dutch language effectively, whether it's giving directions, talking about daily activities, or discussing schedules. Prepositions help us relate nouns to other words in a sentence, giving context about where and when something happens.

In this lesson, we will explore various Dutch prepositions that indicate both place and time. By the end, you will have a solid understanding of how to use these prepositions in sentences, supported by plenty of examples. We'll also include practical exercises to reinforce your learning.

Importance of Prepositions

Prepositions are essential in any language, serving as the glue that holds sentences together. In Dutch, they help clarify relationships between people, objects, and places. Whether you want to express where you are, where something is located, or when an event occurs, knowing the correct preposition is key.

Structure of the Lesson

1. Introduction to Prepositions of Place

2. Common Prepositions of Place

3. Introduction to Prepositions of Time

4. Common Prepositions of Time

5. Examples of Prepositions in Use

6. Exercises for Practice

7. Solutions and Explanations

Prepositions of Place

What Are Prepositions of Place?

Prepositions of place indicate the location of something or someone. In Dutch, these prepositions help you to describe where an object is situated relative to another object or location. Knowing these will allow you to give clear directions or describe your surroundings effectively.

Common Prepositions of Place

Here are some of the most common Dutch prepositions of place:

• in - in

• op - on

• onder - under

• boven - above

• naast - next to

• achter - behind

• voor - in front of

• tussen - between

• voor - before (in terms of location)

• bij - at

Table of Examples

Let's take a look at these prepositions in action:

Dutch	Pronunciation	English
De boek ligt in de tas.	də buk lɪt in də tɑs	The book is in the bag.
De kopjes staan op de tafel.	də kɔpjəs stɑn ɔp də tɑfəl	The cups are on the table.
De kat is onder het bed.	də kɑt ɪs ɔndər hɛt bɛt	The cat is under the bed.
De luchtballon is boven het huis.	də lʏxtbɑlɔn ɪs ˈboːvən hɛt hœys	The hot air balloon is above the house.
De stoel staat naast de tafel.	də stuːl stɑt nɑst də tɑfəl	The chair is next to the table.
De hond zit achter de deur.	də hɔnt zɪt ˈɑxtər də dyːr	The dog is sitting behind the door.
De auto staat voor het huis.	də ˈɑuto stɑt vɔr hɛt hœys	The car is parked in front of the house.
De bank is tussen de twee gebouwen.	də bɑŋk ɪs ˈtʏsən də tweː ɣəˈbɑudəŋ	The bank is between the two buildings.
De hond ligt bij de boom.	də hɔnt lɪt bɛɪ də boːm	The dog is lying at the tree.

Prepositions of Time

What Are Prepositions of Time?

Prepositions of time indicate when something happens. They are vital for discussing schedules, events, and routines. Understanding these will allow you to communicate effectively about past, present, and future events.

Common Prepositions of Time

Here are some of the most common Dutch prepositions of time:

• in - in (for months, years, or parts of the day)

• op - on (for days and dates)

• aan - at (for specific times)

• voor - before

• na - after

• tijdens - during

• tot - until

• tussen - between

• sinds - since

• voor - for (in terms of duration)

Table of Examples

Now, let's see these time prepositions in practice:

Dutch	Pronunciation	English
Ik ga in januari op vakantie.	ɪk ɡɑ in jɑnuːɑri ɔp vɑkɑnci	I go on vacation in January.
We hebben een afspraak op maandag.	veː ˈhɛbən eːn ˈɑfspʁɑːk ɔp ˈmɑnˌdɑx	We have an appointment on Monday.
De les begint om drie uur.	də lɛs bɪˈɡɪnt ɔm driː yʊr	The lesson starts at three o'clock.
Ik moet dit doen voor het werk.	ɪk mut dɪt dun vɔr hɛt vɛrk	I must do this before work.
We gaan naar het museum na de lunch.	veː ɡɑn nɑːr hɛt myzeːʌm nɑ dɛ lʏntʃ	We are going to the museum after lunch.
Tijdens de vergadering was het stil.	ˈtɛɪ.dɛns də vɛrˈɣɑː.dɪŋ vɑs hɛt stɪl	It was quiet during the meeting.
Hij werkt tot vijf uur.	hɛi vɛrkt tɔt vɛi̯f yʊr	He works until five o'clock.
Ze komen tussen twee en drie.	zə ˈkoːmən ˈtʏsən tweː ɛn driː	They are coming between two and three.
Sinds 2020 ben ik in Nederland.	sɪnds 2020 bɛn ɪk ɪn ˈneːdərlɑnd	Since 2020, I have been in the Netherlands.
Ik ben hier voor een week.	ɪk bɛn hiːr vɔr eɪ̯n veːk	I am here for a week.

Exercises for Practice

Now it's time to put what you've learned into practice! Below are some exercises that will help solidify your understanding of Dutch prepositions of place and time.

Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks

Fill in the blanks with the correct preposition of place or time.

1. De kat is _____ de stoel. (under)

2. Ik ga naar school _____ de week. (during)

3. We hebben een afspraak _____ vrijdag. (on)

4. Het boek ligt _____ de tafel. (on)

5. Mijn verjaardag is _____ augustus. (in)

Exercise 2: Translate the Sentences

Translate the following sentences from English to Dutch, using the correct prepositions.

1. The dog is behind the door.

2. I will call you at five o'clock.

3. They are coming after lunch.

4. The car is next to the house.

5. We will meet in the park.

Exercise 3: Match the Prepositions

Match the Dutch prepositions in Column A with their English translations in Column B.

Column A	Column B
in	before
op	at
voor	in
achter	between
tussen	on

Exercise 4: Create Your Own Sentences

Write five sentences using the prepositions you have learned. Try to include both place and time prepositions.

Exercise 5: True or False

Determine whether the following statements are true or false.

1. "op" is used for months in Dutch. (True/False)

2. "tussen" indicates a location on a surface. (True/False)

3. "in" can be used for specific times. (True/False)

4. "voor" can mean "before" in terms of time. (True/False)

5. "naast" means "above." (True/False)

Exercise 6: Correct the Sentences

Identify and correct the mistakes in the following sentences.

1. De hond zit in de tafel.

2. Ik ga naar de winkel voor maandag.

3. De boeken zijn op de kast.

4. We hebben een afspraak in dinsdag.

5. Hij werkt tot vier uur en vijf.

Exercise 7: Listening Exercise

Listen to a short dialogue in Dutch that includes several prepositions of place and time. Write down the sentences that include prepositions.

Exercise 8: Group Discussion

In pairs, discuss your daily routine using prepositions of time. Try to use at least five different prepositions in your conversation.

Exercise 9: Role Play

Role-play a scenario where you give directions to a friend using prepositions of place. Make sure to use at least ten prepositions.

Exercise 10: Word Search

Create a word search puzzle using the prepositions of place and time you have learned.

Solutions and Explanations

Now let's look at the solutions to the exercises to see how you did!

Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks

1. De kat is onder de stoel.

2. Ik ga naar school tijdens de week.

3. We hebben een afspraak op vrijdag.

4. Het boek ligt op de tafel.

5. Mijn verjaardag is in augustus.

Exercise 2: Translate the Sentences

1. De hond is achter de deur.

2. Ik zal je bellen om vijf uur.

3. Ze komen na de lunch.

4. De auto is naast het huis.

5. We zullen elkaar in het park ontmoeten.

Exercise 3: Match the Prepositions

1. in - in

2. op - on

3. voor - before

4. achter - behind

5. tussen - between

Exercise 4: Create Your Own Sentences

(Answers will vary)

Exercise 5: True or False

1. False

2. False

3. False

4. True

5. False

Exercise 6: Correct the Sentences

1. De hond zit onder de tafel.

2. Ik ga naar de winkel voor maandag. (corrected to "Ik ga naar de winkel op maandag.")

3. De boeken zijn in de kast.

4. We hebben een afspraak op dinsdag.

5. Hij werkt tot vier uur en vijf minuten.

Exercise 7: Listening Exercise

(Answers will vary based on the dialogue listened to)

Exercise 8: Group Discussion

(Answers will vary based on the discussions held)

Exercise 9: Role Play

(Answers will vary based on the role-play scenario)

Exercise 10: Word Search

(Answers will vary based on the word search created)

Congratulations on reaching the end of this lesson! You’ve taken a big step towards mastering Dutch prepositions of place and time. Keep practicing, and soon these will become second nature to you!

Table of Contents - Dutch Course - 0 to A1

• Course Presentation

  ---

Alphabet and Pronunciation

• Vowels and Consonants
• Accent Marks and Stress

  ---

Nouns and Articles

• Gender and Articles
• Plural and Diminutives

  ---

Verbs and Conjugation

• Present Tense and Regular Verbs
• Irregular Verbs
• Modal Verbs

  ---

Adjectives and Adverbs

• Comparison of Adjectives and Adverbs
• Order of Adjectives and Adverbs

  ---

Prepositions and Pronouns

• Prepositions of Place and Time
• Reflexive and Possessive Pronouns

  ---

Family

• Family Members
• Family Life and Relationships

  ---

Food and Drinks

• Food and Ingredients
• Drinks and Beverages

  ---

Travel

• Means of Transport
• Travel Destinations

  ---

Work and Jobs

• Professions and Occupations
• Job Applications and Interviews

  ---

The Netherlands

• Geography and Landmarks
• History and Traditions

  ---

Dutch Customs

• Greetings and Etiquette
• Holidays and Celebrations

Sources

• Dutch Grammar • The Dutch word order
• Dutch vocabulary: prepositions in dutch
• Essential Dutch grammar, syntax and ressources.| Learn Dutch in 1 ...

Other Lessons

• Comparison of Adjectives and Adverbs
• Present Tense and Regular Verbs
• Questions
• How to use “to speak” in Dutch
• The Dative Case in Dutch
• 0 to A1 Course
• Greetings in Dutch
• Modal Verbs
• How to use “must” in Dutch
• Vowels and Consonants

◀️ Order of Adjectives and Adverbs — Previous Lesson

Next Lesson — Reflexive and Possessive Pronouns ▶️