Are you considering learning the Dutch language? Whether you’re planning a trip to the Netherlands, want to expand your cultural horizons, or simply enjoy the challenge of learning a new language, you’ve come to the right place! One of the fundamental building blocks of any language is understanding its system of time. In this blog post, to help you get started on your journey to mastering the Dutch language, we’ll delve into the Dutch days of the week, months of the year, and seasons.
Dutch Days of the Week:
Let’s begin with the days of the week in Dutch. Here’s a list of the Dutch days of the week and their English equivalents:
- Maandag – Monday
- Dinsdag – Tuesday
- Woensdag – Wednesday
- Donderdag – Thursday
- Vrijdag – Friday
- Zaterdag – Saturday
- Zondag – Sunday
You might notice that the names of the days in Dutch bear some resemblance to their German and English counterparts (explained by the fact that the words derive from Latin). This similarity can be a helpful mnemonic for remembering them.
Tip!
When learning days of the week, it’s good to learn them together with the preposition of time ‘op’.
Unlike their English counterparts, Dutch days of the week are written in lowercase.
op maandag – on Monday
We zien elkaar op maandag. – We see each other on Monday.
Dutch Months of the Year:
Next, let’s explore the Dutch months of the year, which, like the days of the week, also share some similarities with English:
- Januari – January
- Februari – February
- Maart – March
- April – April
- Mei – May
- Juni – June
- Juli – July
- Augustus – August
- September – September
- Oktober – October
- November – November
- December – December
Again, the resemblance to English can be advantageous when learning Dutch. Try to find patterns between the two languages to make memorisation easier.
Tip!
With months of the year, we use the preposition of time ‘in’.
Unlike their English counterparts, Dutch months of the year are written in lowercase.
Ik ben in september jarig. – My birthday is in September.
Dutch Seasons:
Learning the seasons of the year in Dutch is handy for general communication, particularly conversational communication, as the seasons are important when it comes to the weather and Dutch holidays, for example. Anyone who has been living in the Netherlands for any considerable time will know how important a topic the weather is for the Dutch! Here are the Dutch seasons and their English counterparts:
- Lente – Spring
- Zomer – Summer
- Herfst – Autumn/Fall
- Winter – Winter
Tip!
The seasons are always preceded by the article ‘de’.
Use the preposition of time ‘in’ with the seasons of the year:
In de zomer gaan we naar Frankrijk. – We go to France in the summer.
Tips for Learning Dutch Time Expressions:
- Practice Regularly: Consistency is the key to learning a new language. Set aside some time each day to practice Dutch days, months, and seasons.
- Use Flashcards: Create flashcards with Dutch and English words for the days, months, and seasons. Regularly review and test yourself to reinforce your memory. Here you can find flashcards sets created by us with Dutch days of the week, months and seasons.
- Engage with Native Speakers: Try to interact with native Dutch speakers as much as possible. This will help you learn the correct pronunciation and usage of these time expressions.
- Language Classes: Consider enrolling in Dutch language classes to receive structured guidance and practice.
Start the practice:
Mastering the Dutch days of the week, months of the year, and seasons is an essential step on your journey to learning the Dutch language. By understanding these fundamental time expressions, you’ll not only be better equipped for everyday conversations but also gain insights into Dutch culture and daily life. So, start practicing, immerse yourself in the language, and enjoy the process of learning Dutch!
Use our flashcard set in Quizlet to practice the vocabulary and pronunciation of days of the week, months of the year, and seasons.