gebruik van voorzetsels grammar in Dutch

Language: Dutch
Level: B2
Unit: Voorzetsels en bijwoorden
Practice types: 0

What this grammar point covers

Prepositions in Dutch are small words like 'in', 'op', 'onder', and 'met' that show the relationship between words in a sentence. They often tell you about place, time, or how things are connected.

When to use it

You use Dutch prepositions to talk about where something is, when something happens, how things are related, or how something is done. Prepositions come before nouns or pronouns.

Key forms

in
op
onder
tussen
met
naar
over
van

Examples

Het boek ligt op de tafel.

English: The book is on the table.

We gaan naar het strand.

English: We are going to the beach.

Hij spreekt met zijn vriend.

English: He speaks with his friend.

De kat zit onder de stoel.

English: The cat is under the chair.

Ik kom over een uur terug.

English: I will come back in an hour.

Tips

Some Dutch prepositions do not translate directly to English, so always learn them with example sentences.
Prepositions in Dutch can change the meaning of verbs (separable verbs), so pay attention to combinations.
After a preposition, always use the correct article and case for the noun.

Exceptions and edge cases

Some verbs require fixed prepositions, which may not be logical. For example, 'wachten op' (to wait for).
The meaning of a preposition can change depending on context.