tussen

Between

Level 1

tussen = between / among
Used for physical space, time, and abstract choices.

How It Works

The preposition tussen is a versatile tool in Dutch for describing relationships. It is primarily used in three ways:

Spatial: To describe being in the middle of objects or people. Example: tussen de bomen (between/among the trees).
Temporal: To describe a period between two points in time. A very common idiom is tussen de middag (lunch break). Note that in Flemish Dutch, people often say onder de middag instead.
Relational/Abstract: To describe choices, differences, or secrets. Example: Dit blijft tussen ons (This stays between us).

The 'tussen [A] en [B]' Structure:
When you are talking about two specific things, you must use the word en (and). For example: Het station ligt tussen de stad en het park.

The Circumposition 'tussen ... in':
To emphasize that something is positioned right in the middle of two things, Dutch often uses tussen ... in. For example: Het kind loopt tussen zijn ouders in.

Tussen vs. Onder:
While English often uses 'among' for groups, Dutch uses tussen for physical placement (e.g., tussen de boeken). Use onder when referring to membership in a group, category, or collection, such as onder andere (among others) or onder de aanwezigen (among those present).

Related Forms:

Tussendoor: Used for things happening 'in between' other tasks. Het tussendoortje is a common noun for a snack.
Pronominal Adverbs: When referring to 'it' or 'them' (objects), use ertussen. In a sentence, this often splits: Ik sta er precies tussen.

Examples (6)

De kat zit tussen de twee honden.
The cat is sitting between the two dogs.
Word by Word: The cat sits between the two dogs.
A classic spatial use of 'tussen' involving two distinct reference points.
We spreken af tussen twaalf uur en half één.
We will meet between twelve and twelve-thirty.
Word by Word: We speak off between twelve hour and half one.
Using 'tussen' to define a specific window of time.
Ik kon mijn sleutels niet vinden tussen al die papieren.
I couldn't find my keys among all those papers.
Word by Word: I could my keys not find between all those papers.
Here 'tussen' is used for 'among' because the papers are viewed as individual items.
Er zit een groot verschil tussen deze twee boeken.
There is a big difference between these two books.
Word by Word: There sits a big difference between these two books.
An abstract use of 'tussen' to indicate a comparison or relationship.
Ik zie twee auto's en ik sta er precies tussen.
I see two cars and I am standing exactly between them.
Word by Word: I see two cars and I stand there exactly between.
Demonstrates the pronominal adverb 'ertussen' (between them/it).
De bal ligt tussen de stoelen in.
The ball is lying right in between the chairs.
Word by Word: The ball lies between the chairs in.
This uses the circumposition 'tussen ... in' to emphasize the central position.

Common Mistakes

Using 'onder' when you mean among.
Different MeaningDe sleutel ligt onder de boeken.
De sleutel ligt tussen de boeken.
'De sleutel ligt onder de boeken' is correct, but it means the key is beneath the books. When something is in the middle of a group of objects, 'tussen' is the word.
Saying 'tussen het' or 'tussen ze' for objects.
Ik leg het boek tussen het.
Ik leg het boek ertussen.
Dutch requires pronominal adverbs like ertussen when referring to inanimate objects instead of using a pronoun like 'het'.
Forgetting the word 'en' when connecting two items.
Ik kies tussen de rode de blauwe.
Ik kies tussen de rode en de blauwe.
When 'tussen' connects two distinct entities, you must use the structure 'tussen [A] en [B]'.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

tussenLevel 1Between

Learn This First

To use 'tussen' (between), you need to be able to identify the two objects it relates to using definite articles and connect them using the word for 'and'.

Words in This Pattern