bijzinnen met 'toen' grammar in Dutch

Language: Dutch
Level: B1
Unit: Bijzinnen en voegwoorden
Practice types: 0

What this grammar point covers

'Toen' is a word used in Dutch to introduce a subordinate clause (bijzin) that talks about something that happened once in the past.

When to use it

Use 'toen' when you want to talk about a specific moment or event that happened once in the past. It connects two actions, where one happened after or during the other.

Key forms

'Toen' + subject + rest of the clause + verb at the end
Main clause, toen + subject + ... + verb.

Examples

Toen ik klein was, woonde ik in Amsterdam.

English: When I was little, I lived in Amsterdam.

Ik was blij toen ik het goede nieuws hoorde.

English: I was happy when I heard the good news.

Toen hij thuiskwam, begon het te regenen.

English: When he came home, it started to rain.

We gingen naar buiten toen de bel ging.

English: We went outside when the bell rang.

Tips

Use 'toen' only for events that happened once in the past, not for repeated actions.
The verb in the 'toen'-clause goes at the end of the clause.
Do not confuse 'toen' with 'als', which is used for repeated or general situations.