Dutch Time — Telling the Time & Time Expressions

Mastering how to tell time in Dutch is essential for daily conversations — whether you're making appointments, catching trains, or simply managing your schedule. This comprehensive guide introduces Dutch words and phrases related to time, including hours, minutes, expressions for "half past," "quarter to," and commonly used time-related questions.

⏰ Hours of the Day

• Een uur – One o'clock
• Twee uur – Two o'clock
• Drie uur – Three o'clock
• Vier uur – Four o'clock
• Vijf uur – Five o'clock
• Zes uur – Six o'clock
• Zeven uur – Seven o'clock
• Acht uur – Eight o'clock
• Negen uur – Nine o'clock
• Tien uur – Ten o'clock
• Elf uur – Eleven o'clock
• Twaalf uur – Twelve o'clock

🧭 Minutes and Fractions

The Dutch often use the 12-hour clock in speech, even if the 24-hour clock is written on timetables.

• Kwart over acht – Quarter past eight
• Half negen – Half past eight (literally “half to nine”)
• Kwart voor negen – Quarter to nine
• Tien over tien – Ten past ten
• Vijf voor twaalf – Five to twelve

🗓️ Time-related Vocabulary

• Vandaag – Today
• Morgen – Tomorrow
• Gisteren – Yesterday
• Nu – Now
• Straks – Later
• Ochtend – Morning
• Middag – Afternoon
• Avond – Evening
• Nacht – Night
• Middernacht – Midnight
• Middernacht – Noon

🕵️‍♀️ Common Phrases & Questions

• Hoe laat is het? – What time is it?
• Het is drie uur. – It is three o'clock.
• Hoe laat begint de film? – What time does the movie start?
• Om acht uur. – At eight o'clock.

⏱️ Related Topics

• Dutch Numbers
• Days, Months & Seasons
• Basic Dutch Phrases