What Every Dutch Learner Should Know About Prepositions
Introduction
Every language learner eventually runs into a brick wall of tiny words that carry enormous weight, and in Dutch that wall is built almost entirely out of prepositions. At first glance, they seem harmless—short, simple words like in, op, naar, and met. Yet ask any Dutch learner what drives them crazy, and you’ll often hear the same answer: “prepositions.” Why? Because these deceptively small words don’t just tell you where something is; they shape the rhythm, logic, and even the humor of Dutch conversation.
The struggle comes from the fact that Dutch prepositions rarely translate one-to-one into English. Sometimes they look familiar, but they behave differently. For example, English speakers want to say I’m waiting for you, but in Dutch it becomes Ik wacht op jou—literally, “I wait on you.” Or you might want to say I’m thinking about it, and the Dutch response is Ik denk erover, where the preposition actually fuses with a pronoun. Suddenly, what seemed like a tiny grammar point feels like a whole new universe of rules.
But here’s the encouraging truth: prepositions in Dutch are not random. They follow patterns. They have consistent roles in both concrete and abstract contexts. And once you get comfortable with how they interact with verbs, objects, and pronouns, they stop being confusing and start becoming powerful. Mastering prepositions is one of the best ways to sound natural in Dutch, because native speakers rely on them constantly to add nuance, direction, and meaning.
In this article, we’ll dive deep into what every Dutch learner should know about prepositions: the basics, the tricky cases, the infamous “prepositional verbs,” and how prepositions fuse with little words like er, hier, and daar. Along the way, you’ll see clear examples, cultural notes, and tips to avoid common mistakes. By the end, you won’t just memorize lists—you’ll understand the logic behind Dutch prepositions and how to use them with confidence.
📌 Dutch Vocabulary Key
voorzetsel = preposition
vaste voorzetsel = fixed preposition (that always goes with a certain verb)
er + preposition = pronoun-preposition combination (erover, ermee, etc.)
1. The Basics: Prepositions of Place
Let’s begin with the simplest function of prepositions: describing where things are.
in = in
op = on
onder = under
naast = next to
tussen = between
🔎 Examples:
Het boek ligt op de tafel. = The book is on the table.
De kat zit in de doos. = The cat is in the box.
De hond slaapt onder de stoel. = The dog sleeps under the chair.
Notice that Dutch often uses liggen (to lie), staan (to stand), or zitten (to sit) for placement instead of a general “to be.” Prepositions and posture verbs work hand in hand.
✍️ Practice:
Translate into Dutch:
The keys are in the bag.
The shoes are under the bed.
The lamp is next to the chair.
2. Prepositions of Time
Prepositions also mark time relationships.
in = in (a month/year)
op = on (a day/date)
om = at (a clock time)
van … tot … = from … to …
sinds = since
🔎 Examples:
Ik ben geboren in juni. = I was born in June.
De les is op maandag. = The class is on Monday.
Het begint om acht uur. = It starts at eight o’clock.
Ik woon hier sinds 2020. = I’ve lived here since 2020.
This is straightforward, but don’t forget: Dutch loves precision. Using the wrong preposition (like op vs. in) jumps out immediately to a native speaker.
3. Prepositions with Movement
This is where Dutch starts to diverge from English. Verbs of motion usually demand specific prepositions.
naar = to
uit = out of
van = from
door = through
langs = along
🔎 Examples:
Ik ga naar school. = I go to school.
Zij komt uit Duitsland. = She comes from Germany.
Wij lopen door het park. = We walk through the park.
De bus rijdt langs het kanaal. = The bus drives along the canal.
4. Fixed Prepositional Verbs (Vaste Voorzetsels)
Here’s where learners really get tripped up. Some Dutch verbs require a specific preposition, even if it doesn’t match the English version.
wachten op = to wait for
denken aan = to think of
lachen om = to laugh at
geloven in = to believe in
spreken met = to speak with
🔎 Examples:
Ik wacht op de trein. = I’m waiting for the train.
Hij denkt aan zijn moeder. = He thinks of his mother.
Wij spreken met de leraar. = We speak with the teacher.
👉 These combinations are non-negotiable. You can’t swap op for aan. Think of them as “word partners.”
✍️ Practice:
Fill in the right preposition:
Ik geloof ___ geluk.
Zij wacht ___ haar vriend.
Wij lachen ___ de grap.
5. Prepositions + Pronouns: The Er Trick
One of the most confusing yet elegant features of Dutch is how prepositions interact with small pronouns like er, hier, and daar.
Ik denk erover. = I think about it.
Wij praten erover. = We talk about it.
Hij wacht erop. = He is waiting for it.
Rule: If the object is not named but referred to as “it,” the preposition attaches to er.
📌 Compare:
Ik denk aan het examen. = I think of the exam.
Ik denk eraan. = I think of it.
🔎 Hier and Daar
When pointing to something specific:
Ik kijk hiernaar. = I look at this.
Hij wacht daarop. = He waits for that.
6. Idiomatic Prepositions
Some prepositions are idiomatic—they don’t make literal sense but are used because that’s just how Dutch works.
op vakantie gaan = to go on vacation
in de war zijn = to be confused
aan tafel zitten = to sit at the table
met pensioen gaan = to retire
👉 These phrases must be memorized as chunks.
7. Prepositions in Phrasal-Like Verbs
Like German, Dutch has separable verbs where the preposition splits off.
opbellen = to call → Ik bel je op.
aankomen = to arrive → De trein komt aan.
uitgaan = to go out → Wij gaan vanavond uit.
The preposition sometimes moves to the end of the sentence, which confuses learners.
8. Cultural Nuances in Preposition Use
Prepositions also reflect how the Dutch think about space and relationships.
Ik zit op school. literally “I sit on school,” meaning “I go to school.”
Ik zit in de trein. = I’m in the train (even if standing).
Op kantoor (on office) means “at the office.”
These choices show a cultural preference for fixed expressions that don’t always match English logic.
9. Common Mistakes Learners Make
Translating literally: saying Ik wacht voor jou instead of Ik wacht op jou.
Forgetting er + preposition combinations.
Mixing up naar (to) and aan (to/at).
Using in and op interchangeably (they are not!).
Ignoring idiomatic expressions.
10. Tips for Mastering Dutch Prepositions
Learn prepositions in chunks (e.g., wachten op, denken aan) rather than isolated words.
Practice with er/hier/daar combinations.
Read real Dutch sentences to see natural preposition use.
Drill with short sentences daily instead of long lists.
FAQs
1. Why are Dutch prepositions so hard?
Because they rarely match English directly and often follow idiomatic patterns.
2. Do prepositions always come before nouns?
Usually yes, but in separable verbs they can move.
3. How do I know which preposition goes with a verb?
You memorize it—it’s part of the verb’s meaning.
4. What’s the difference between op and in?
Op = on a surface, in = inside. Idiomatic uses complicate this.
5. Why do Dutch people use er so much?
It avoids repetition and keeps sentences short.
6. Do prepositions change in plural?
No, they stay the same regardless of number.
7. Is Dutch like German with prepositions?
Similar, but without case endings—so easier.
8. Can I ever skip prepositions?
Not if the verb requires one. Leaving it out sounds unnatural.
Conclusion: Tiny Words, Big Impact
Prepositions may look small, but they are the backbone of Dutch communication. They tell you not just where something is, but how ideas connect, how verbs function, and how nuance is expressed. Once you stop translating literally and start thinking in Dutch prepositional patterns, you’ll notice your fluency increase dramatically.
At Polyglottist Language Academy, we believe that mastering details like prepositions is the difference between classroom Dutch and real-life Dutch. Our courses help you move beyond textbooks and into authentic conversation, where words like op, in, and naar carry the real weight.
🌍 Ready to master Dutch prepositions—and everything else that makes Dutch tick? Sign up today for our Dutch classes and start speaking with confidence.
And if you enjoyed this article, check out more of our language and culture guides:
A Brief History Of The Dutch Language (And Why It Matters Today)
Is Dutch Easier To Learn If You Already Speak German Or Afrikaans?
Why Dutch Pronunciation Trips Up So Many Learners (And How To Master It)
How Similar Is Dutch To English? Surprising Linguistic Overlaps
Dutch Classes In Oakland: Learn Dutch Online With Local Instructors
How Long Does It Take To Learn Dutch – Realistic Timelines By Level