Adverbs of time (nu, dan, morgen...)

What are adverbs of time in Dutch?

• Adverbs of time tell you when something happens or how long it happens.
• In this chapter you see these words:
  • nu = now
  • vandaag = today
  • morgen = tomorrow
  • dan = then / after that
  • gauw = soon
  • wanneer = when (question)
  • hoelang = how long (question)
• We use them to make our message clear in time:
  • Ik lees nu. – I am reading now.
  • Ik lees morgen. – I will read tomorrow.

Where do adverbs of time go in the sentence?

For A1, use this simple rule:

• Normal sentence (no question):
  • Word order: subject – verb – (other words) – time word

• The adverb of time is usually towards the end of the sentence.
• Do not put it between subject and verb:
  • Ik morgen ga naar de sportschool.
  • Ik ga morgen naar de sportschool.

Special position: wanneer and hoelang

Wanneer and hoelang are question words. They start the sentence.

• After wanneer / hoelang the verb comes directly.
• Then comes the subject (ik, jij, hij, wij, …).
• Examples:
  • Wanneer luister jij naar muziek?
  • Hoelang speel jij al piano?

nu, vandaag, morgen, dan, gauw – what is the difference?

• Use dan when you speak about a next step in a sequence.
  • Nu werk ik. Dan ga ik naar huis.
• Use gauw when you do not know the exact time, but it is soon.

Can the time word also go in front?

Yes. For focus, you can start with the time word.

• Word order then changes:
  • time – verb – subject – …

• Both versions are correct at A1.
• Meaning is almost the same. With the time word first, you put a bit more emphasis on the time.

Typical mistakes to avoid

• 1. Time word between subject and verb
  • Ik morgen ga naar de film.
  • Correct: Ik ga morgen naar de film.
• 2. Wrong order after wanneer / hoelang
  • Wanneer jij luistert naar muziek?
  • Correct: Wanneer luister jij naar muziek?
  • Hoelang jij bent in Nederland?
  • Correct: Hoelang ben jij in Nederland?
• 3. Using dan when you mean tomorrow
  • Ik ga dan naar de sportschool. (if you mean “tomorrow” and no clear reference before)
  • Better at A1: Ik ga morgen naar de sportschool.
  • Use dan only after a clear earlier moment:
    • Eerst werk ik. Dan ga ik naar de sportschool.

Step‑by‑step: build your own sentences

1. Choose an action (verb)
   • werken, lezen, sporten, koken, studeren …
2. Choose the subject
   • ik, jij, hij, wij, jullie, zij
3. Choose a time word
   • nu / vandaag / morgen / dan / gauw
4. Make a normal sentence
   subject – verb – (object / place) – time
   • Ik studeer Nederlands vandaag.
   • Wij sporten in het park morgen.
5. Make a question with wanneer or hoelang
   wanneer/hoelang – verb – subject – … ?
   • Wanneer sport jij?
   • Hoelang sport jij op maandag?

Quick self‑check

• In my normal sentences, is the verb directly after the subject?
  • ✔ Ik ga morgen naar kantoor.
• Do I usually put the time word towards the end?
  • ✔ Wij eten thuis vandaag.
• In questions with wanneer / hoelang, do I use:
  • wanneer/hoelang – verb – subject … ?
  • ✔ Wanneer werk jij?
  • ✔ Hoelang woon jij hier?
• Do I use dan only when there is a clear “first … then …”?
• Do I understand the difference between nu, vandaag, morgen, gauw?

If you can answer “yes” to these points, you are ready to use adverbs of time in Dutch conversations.