Het boek ligt op de tafel.
English: The book is on the table.
- Language
- Dutch
- Level
- A2
- Unit
- Voorzetsels en tijd
- Practice types
- 0
What this grammar point covers
Prepositions of place in Dutch are words that show where something or someone is located. They help you describe positions and locations.
When to use it
Use prepositions of place in Dutch to say where things or people are. For example, to describe if something is on the table, under the chair, or between two objects.
Key forms
- op
- in
- onder
- naast
- achter
- voor
- tussen
Examples
De kat zit onder de stoel.
English: The cat is under the chair.
De school is naast het park.
English: The school is next to the park.
Er staat een auto voor het huis.
English: There is a car in front of the house.
Tips
- Pay attention to the difference between 'op' (on) and 'in' (in).
- Some prepositions need 'de' or 'het' after them, depending on the noun.
- Word order is important: the preposition usually comes before the place.
Exceptions and edge cases
- Sometimes 'tussen' (between) is used with two or more things, and needs 'en' (and) to connect them: 'tussen de stoel en de tafel'.
Word of the Day
Today's hand-picked vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation page for Dutch. Bookmark this section — it refreshes every day.
Get one new word every morning
Subscribe to SmartWords daily picks. Choose the topics you want — we send one short email per day.
Keep exploring
Play SmartWords games
Six word games built around our real vocabulary — free in the browser, no install.
Open the game hub →-
Word Sling
Match the center word under time pressure and keep the combo alive.
Play now → -
Word Gate
Fly through the correct gate before the speed ramps up.
Play now → -
Word Ninja
Slice the goal-language words, avoid the main-language decoy, and chase the announced bonus target.
Play now → -
Word Zip
Trace a single path across the board, hit each letter anchor in order, and fill every open cell.
Play now → -
Word Oddity
Pick the word that doesn't belong from a topic-driven set — every tap reveals all four meanings and images so the round becomes a flash-card too.
Play now → -
Word Memory
Flip and match goal-language words to their main-language meaning before your lives run out.
Play now →