Basic Dutch – Time
How To Talk About Time In The Netherlands
In this section, we want to share some basic Dutch phrases related with time, that can help you when you arrive in the Netherlands.
In the southern part of the country, called Randstad (the area between Utrecht, Amsterdam, The Hague, and Rotterdam), most people speak English. However, if you happen to live in other parts of the country, you might need to learn the local language to communicate effectively.
The provided pronunciation is written in a way that makes it easier for English speakers to understand.
We don’t aim to teach you the Dutch language on our website, as that’s best done by professionals. Check out our section on language learning for advice on where to study.
| BASIC DUTCH – TIME | |||
| ENGLISH | DUTCH | PHONETIC SPELLING | |
| Today / Yesterday / Tomorrow | Vandaag / Gisteren / Morgen | Vun-daahg / Gis-tuh-run / Mor-hun | |
| This week | Deze week | Day-zuh week | |
| Last week | Vorige week | Vor-ih-guh week | |
| Next week | Volgende week | Vol-gun-duh week | |
| This morning / afternoon / evening | Vanochtend / Vanmiddag / Vanavond | Van-och-tend / Van-mid-dach / Van-ah-vunt | |
| Soon / Late | Vroeg / Laat | Vrohg / Laht | |
| Later | Later | Laater | |
| Second / Minute | Seconde / Minuut | Su-kon-duh / Mi-nooht | |
| One hour / Half an hour | Een uur / Half uur | Ayn oor / Half oor | |
| Week / Month / Year | Week / Maand / Jaar | Week / Mahnt / Yahr | |
| One o’clock | Een uur precies | Ayn oor pray-see | |
| Ten past one | Tien over een | Teen oh-vur ayn | |
| Quarter past one | Kwart over een | Kwahrt oh-vur ayn | |
| Twenty past one | Twintig over een | Twin-tig oh-vur ayn | |
| Half past one | Half twee | Half tway | |
| Twenty to two o’clock | Twintig voor twee | Twin-tig voor tway | |
| A quarter to two | Kwart voor twee | Kwahrt voor tway | |
| Half past five | Half zes | Half zesjalf ses | |
| Seven o’clock | Precies zeven uur | Pray-seez say-vun oor | |
| 13.00 | Dertien uur | Der-teen oor | |
| 16:30 | Zestien uur dertig | Zes-teen oor der-tig | |
| 20:10 | Twintig uur tien | Tuentij uur tiin | |
| Midnight | Middernacht | Mid-ur-nahcht | |
Learn more basic Dutch phrases
If you want to expand your vocabulary, check out our other guides on basic Dutch for everyday situations, such as:
At the doctor | At the hotel | Days and Months | Numbers | Food | Shopping