Dutch Prepositions: The Complete Guide with Examples

Are you learning Dutch and getting stuck on prepositions like 'in', 'op', 'aan', 'bij'? You are not alone. Dutch prepositions are tricky because they often don't match English ones. In this guide, we explain how to use the most important prepositions, with plenty of example sentences you can use in everyday life.

Imagine you need to go to the doctor, you want to buy something at Albert Heijn, or you have to fill out a form for the municipality. You'll encounter prepositions everywhere. If you use them wrong, people might still understand you, but it won't sound natural. And for the civic integration exam, you simply need to know them well. That's why it's worth investing time in this.

In this guide, you'll not only learn the rules, but also how to use them in practice. We give you a step-by-step plan, handy lists, and common mistakes to avoid. After reading, you'll be able to confidently make sentences like 'I live in the Netherlands' and 'The key is on the table'. Let's get started!

What are Dutch prepositions and why are they so difficult?

Prepositions are words that show a relationship between two things in a sentence. Think of words like 'in', 'op', 'aan', 'bij', 'naast', 'onder', 'boven', 'tussen', 'met', 'zonder', 'voor', 'achter', and 'naar'. They tell you, for example, where something is, when something happens, or how something is done. In Dutch, there are many prepositions, and they often have multiple meanings.

The tricky part is that Dutch prepositions often cannot be translated one-to-one to English. Take 'op' for example. In English, you say 'on the street', but in Dutch we say 'op straat'. But for a wall, we use 'aan de muur', not 'op de muur'. These kinds of differences make it hard, but with practice, you can learn it.

The most important Dutch prepositions for place and time

Let's start with the most common prepositions for place. 'In' is used when something is inside a space or area, like 'in de kamer' or 'in Nederland'. 'Op' is used for surfaces, like 'op tafel' or 'op straat'. 'Aan' is used for things attached to something, like 'aan de muur' or 'aan de deur'. 'Bij' is used for a location near something, like 'bij de supermarkt' or 'bij mij thuis'.

For time, we also use prepositions. 'Om' is used for specific times, like 'om drie uur'. 'In' is used for months, seasons, and years, like 'in januari' or 'in de zomer'. 'Op' is used for days and dates, like 'op maandag' or 'op 5 mei'. 'Voor' is used for a time in the future, like 'voor vijf uur'.

It's handy to remember these basic rules, but there are always exceptions. For example, we say 'in de ochtend', but 'op zondagochtend'. This is because days are an exception. Don't worry, you don't have to remember everything at once. Practice a little every day, and it will become easier over time.

• I live in the Netherlands.
• The coffee is on the table.
• The photo hangs on the wall.
• I am waiting at the entrance.
• The appointment is at three o'clock.
• We are going on vacation in December.
• The store is closed on Saturday.
• I need to submit the report before Friday.

Fixed prepositions with verbs and expressions

In Dutch, many verbs have a fixed preposition. This means you cannot change the preposition without changing the meaning. For example: 'wachten op' (to wait for), 'houden van' (to love), 'kijken naar' (to look at), and 'praten over' (to talk about). You have to memorize these combinations because they don't follow a logical rule.

Take the verb 'bellen'. You say 'Ik bel naar mijn moeder' when you call someone, but 'Ik bel met mijn telefoon' when you indicate the means. Sometimes the difference is subtle. A common mistake is to say 'Ik wacht voor de bus', when it should be 'Ik wacht op de bus'. It's difficult, but by reading and listening a lot, you'll pick up these combinations naturally.

A handy tip: write down new verbs with their preposition. For example, make a list: 'denken aan', 'geloven in', 'solliciteren naar'. That way, you can repeat them regularly. In the civic integration exam, you often have to fill in these combinations, so it's definitely worth practicing them.

• I am waiting for the train.
• She loves chocolate.
• He is watching television.
• We are talking about the weather.
• I am thinking about my family.
• Do you believe in ghosts?
• He is applying for a job at the municipality.
• I am longing for summer.

Prepositions in daily life: situations you really encounter

Let's practice prepositions in situations you experience daily. Imagine you go to the doctor. You say: 'I have an appointment with the doctor at half past nine.' You sit in the waiting room and hear: 'The doctor is coming.' You tell the doctor: 'I have pain in my stomach.' After the visit, you go to the pharmacy and say: 'I have a prescription from the doctor.'

At the supermarket, you also use many prepositions. You ask: 'Where is the milk?' The answer is: 'The milk is in the shelf near the dairy.' You say to the cashier: 'I pay with card.' When you get home, you tell your housemate: 'I did groceries for dinner.'

By car or public transport: 'I go to work by bike.' Or: 'The bus stops in front of the station.' When you ask for directions, you say: 'Go straight until the roundabout, then turn left.' These sentences all contain prepositions you need to get by in the Netherlands.

• I have an appointment with the doctor at half past nine.
• The doctor is coming, you can take a seat.
• I have pain in my stomach and in my back.
• I have a prescription from the doctor for antibiotics.
• The milk is in the shelf near the dairy.
• I pay with card, not with cash.
• I go to work by bike, because the bus is too expensive.
• The bus stops in front of the station, next to the entrance.

Step-by-step plan: how to learn Dutch prepositions this week

Learning prepositions doesn't have to be overwhelming. With a clear plan, you can make a lot of progress in a week. Follow this step-by-step plan and you'll notice that you gain more and more confidence in using prepositions.

• Step 1: Make a list of the 20 most used prepositions (in, op, aan, bij, naast, onder, boven, tussen, met, zonder, voor, achter, naar, uit, over, door, tegen, vanaf, tot, langs).
• Step 2: Each day, pick one preposition and write five sentences you might say in daily life. For example, with 'op': 'The key is on the table', 'I am waiting for the bus'.
• Step 3: Read a short article or news item in Dutch every day and underline all the prepositions you see. Then check if you understand why they are used.
• Step 4: Listen to a Dutch podcast or conversation and pay attention to the prepositions. Write them down and try to repeat them.
• Step 5: Practice with a language buddy or in your head by imagining situations, like grocery shopping or going to the doctor.
• Step 6: Test yourself at the end of the week with an online exercise or a mock exam to see where you stand.

Common mistakes with Dutch prepositions (and how to fix them)

Even advanced speakers still make mistakes with prepositions. Here are the most common mistakes newcomers make, and how to avoid them. A common mistake is confusing 'in' and 'op'. For example: 'Ik ben op Nederland' is wrong; it should be 'in Nederland'. 'Op' is used for islands, like 'op Curaçao', but for countries and cities, you use 'in'.

Another mistake is the use of 'aan' and 'op'. You say 'aan de muur' for something that hangs, but 'op de grond' for something that lies. Many people say 'op de muur' when they mean 'aan de muur'. Practice with objects in the house: the lamp hangs from the ceiling, the carpet lies on the floor.

Also 'bij' and 'naast' are often confused. 'Bij' means near, but not exactly next to. 'Naast' means directly next to. So: 'Ik sta bij de deur' can mean you are in the vicinity, while 'Ik sta naast de deur' means you are right next to it. Pay attention to this difference.

Finally, the preposition 'voor' can indicate both time and place. 'Voor de deur' means in front of the door (place), but 'voor vijf uur' means before five o'clock (time). This is confusing, but the context makes it clear.

• Wrong: I live on the Netherlands. → Right: I live in the Netherlands.
• Wrong: The photo hangs on the wall. → Right: The photo hangs on the wall. (In Dutch: 'aan de muur')
• Wrong: I wait for the bus. → Right: I wait for the bus. (In Dutch: 'wachten op')
• Wrong: He is good in English. → Right: He is good at English. (In Dutch: 'goed in het Engels')
• Wrong: I go home with car. → Right: I go home by car. (In Dutch: 'met de auto')

Mini checklist for using prepositions

Use this checklist to check if you are using the most important prepositions correctly. Print it out and hang it on your desk or fridge. Every time you write or say a sentence, you can quickly check if you used the right preposition.

• Check 1: Do I say 'in' with countries, cities, and spaces? (in the Netherlands, in Amsterdam, in the room)
• Check 2: Do I say 'op' with surfaces and days? (on the table, on Monday)
• Check 3: Do I say 'aan' for things that hang or are attached? (on the wall, on the door)
• Check 4: Do I say 'bij' for a location nearby? (at the supermarket, at my place)
• Check 5: Do I use the fixed preposition with verbs? (wait for, love)
• Check 6: Do I use 'om' with times and 'in' with months? (at three o'clock, in January)

How to practice Dutch prepositions with Dutch Fluency and more

The best way to learn prepositions is to use them a lot. At Dutch Fluency, we have exercises that resemble the real civic integration exam. You can, for example, practice filling in prepositions in sentences, or do listening exercises where you pay attention to prepositions. This helps you not only understand the theory, but also use them in practice.

Additionally, we recommend practicing a few minutes daily with our app. You can do exercises at your level, from A2 to B1. This way, you build confidence step by step. And don't forget: practicing in real situations, like talking to your neighbors or colleagues, is very valuable. Dare to make mistakes, because that's how you learn the most.

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