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Learn how to correctly formulate dates in Dutch, including full dates, dates without a year, and dates with days of the week. This lesson explains the use of prepositions like 'op' and 'in' with days, months, and years, and highlights common expressions for holidays and special dates in Dutch.
  1. Days of the week: Use 'op' + day name, e.g. 'op maandag'.
  2. Months and years: Use 'in' + month or year, e.g. 'in januari', 'in 2025'.
  3. Complete dates: Day + month + year, e.g. '21 april 2023'.
Vorm (Form)Voorbeeld (Example)
Volledige datum (Full date)12 augustus 2023 (12 August 2023)
Datum zonder jaartal (Date without year)5 juli (5 July)
Datum met dag van de week (Date with day of the week)Maandag 3 april (Monday 3 April)
Vraag (Question)Welke dag is het vandaag? Het is donderdag 12 juli. (What day is it today? It is Thursday 12 July.)

Exceptions!

  1. Holidays often do not have a preposition, e.g. 'Kerstmis is op 25 december'.

Exercise 1: Hoe formuleer je de datum?

Instruction: Fill in the correct word.

Show translation Show answers

op 5 juli 2025, op, in, op 10 maart, op 31 december 2023

1.
Wij vieren Pasen ... april.
(We celebrate Easter in April.)
2. 10/03:
Wij plannen een reis ... de zomer.
(We are planning a trip in the summer.)
3.
De vakantie begint ... zaterdag.
(The holiday starts on Saturday.)
4. 10/03:
Mijn verjaardag is ....
(My birthday is on 10 March.)
5. 05/07/2025:
Het evenement is ....
(The event is on 5 July 2025.)
6.
Ik ben geboren ... 2001.
(I was born in 2001.)
7.
De afspraak is ... woensdag.
(The appointment is on Wednesday.)
8. 31/12/2023:
Het feest is ....
(The party is on 31 December 2023.)

Exercise 2: Multiple Choice

Instruction: Choose the correct solution

1. We hebben vakantie ___ juli.

(We have vacation ___ July.)

2. De vergadering is ___ maandag.

(The meeting is ___ Monday.)

3. Kerstmis is ___ 25 december.

(Christmas is ___ December 25.)

4. Mijn verjaardag is ___ 10 maart.

(My birthday is ___ March 10.)

5. We plannen het feest ___ het weekend.

(We are planning the party ___ the weekend.)

6. ___ 31 december 2023 vieren we Oud en Nieuw.

(___ December 31, 2023, we celebrate New Year's Eve.)

How to Formulate Dates in Dutch

This lesson focuses on correctly expressing dates in Dutch, including days, months, and special holidays. You'll learn how to say full dates (day, month, and year), partial dates without the year, and dates including the day of the week. Understanding these forms will help you speak and write dates naturally and accurately.

Key Date Forms

  • Full Date: For example, 12 augustus 2023 (August 12, 2023).
  • Date without Year: For example, 5 juli (July 5).
  • Date with Day of the Week: For example, Maandag 3 april (Monday, April 3).

Using Prepositions

In Dutch, dates typically use specific prepositions that depend on the time unit:

  • Days of the week: Use op + day name, e.g., op maandag (on Monday).
  • Months and years: Use in + month or year, e.g., in januari (in January), in 2025 (in 2025).
  • Full dates: Simply state day + month + year without prepositions, e.g., 21 april 2023.
  • Holidays: Often used without a preposition, e.g., Kerstmis is op 25 december (Christmas is on December 25).

Practical Examples

  • We hebben vakantie in juli. — We have holidays in July.
  • De vergadering is op maandag. — The meeting is on Monday.
  • Kerstmis is 25 december. — Christmas is December 25.
  • Mijn verjaardag is op 10 maart. — My birthday is on March 10.

Instruction Differences and Useful Phrases

Unlike English, where we commonly say "on Monday" or "in July," Dutch requires specific prepositions that must be learned to express dates accurately. For example, "op" is used for days (op dinsdag means "on Tuesday"), while "in" accompanies months or years (in mei means "in May"). Also, full date expressions typically omit prepositions in Dutch, differing from English "on April 21, 2023." Some useful Dutch phrases include Welke dag is het vandaag? (What day is it today?), and responses like Het is donderdag 12 juli. (It is Thursday, July 12.)

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Kato De Paepe

Business and languages

KdG University of Applied Sciences and Arts Antwerp

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Last Updated:

Thursday, 29/05/2025 16:28