sinds

Since

Level 2

The Dutch word sinds means 'since'. It marks a point in time when something started. For ongoing actions, Dutch uses the present tense (often with al), while for things that haven't happened, it uses the perfect tense.

How It Works

In Dutch, sinds connects a past starting point to the present.

1. The Tense Rule
If an action started in the past and is still happening, use the present tense: Ik woon hier sinds 2010 (I have lived here since 2010). While the perfect tense is common for specific events that haven't happened (Ik heb hem sinds maandag niet gezien), the present tense is often used for ongoing negative states or habits: Ik eet sinds maandag geen vlees meer (I haven't eaten meat since Monday). Note that the perfect tense in Dutch can use either hebben or zijn as an auxiliary verb.

2. Sinds for Point in Time and Duration
Unlike English, which distinguishes between 'since' (point in time) and 'for' (duration), Dutch can use sinds for both. You can say sinds maandag (since Monday) or sinds drie jaar (for three years). To emphasize the duration, you can also use al: Ik woon hier al drie jaar.

3. Sinds vs. Vanaf
A critical distinction is that sinds is exclusively for past-to-present timelines. If you want to describe a starting point in the future (e.g., 'Starting tomorrow'), you must use vanaf: Vanaf morgen ga ik diëten. Note that vanaf is more flexible than sinds; it can also be used for past starting points when you want to emphasize the moment the action began rather than the duration.

4. Conjunctional Use and Word Order
When sinds introduces a full clause, it triggers subordinate clause word order, moving the conjugated verb to the end. Furthermore, if the sinds-clause starts the sentence, the main clause must use inversion: Sinds ik hier woon, spreek ik beter Nederlands.

5. Sinds vs. Omdat
Unlike English, sinds is primarily used for time. To express a reason (because), you should use omdat or aangezien.

6. Sinds vs. Sindsdien
To say 'since then' without a specific time, use sindsdien. Note that this is a fixed compound; unlike other pronominal adverbs, it does not use the 'daar-' prefix.

Examples (4)

  1. Ik werk al sinds januari bij dit bedrijf.

    I have been working at this company since January.

    Word by Word: I work already since January at this company.

    Notice the use of the present tense 'werk' and the particle 'al' (already) which is very common for emphasizing duration.

  2. Sinds ik in Nederland woon, spreek ik beter Nederlands.

    Since I've been living in the Netherlands, I speak Dutch better.

    Word by Word: Since I in Netherlands live, speak I better Dutch.

    Here 'sinds' is a conjunction. The verb 'woon' moves to the end of its clause due to subordinate clause word order.

  3. Ik heb hem sinds maandag niet meer gezien.

    I haven't seen him since Monday.

    Word by Word: I have him since Monday not more seen.

    In negative sentences (actions that have NOT happened), Dutch uses the perfect tense, just like English.

  4. Hij is vorig jaar verhuisd en ik heb hem sindsdien niet meer gesproken.

    He moved last year and I haven't spoken to him since then.

    Word by Word: He is last year moved and I have him since-then not more spoken.

    'Sindsdien' means 'since then'. It is a fixed form and does not follow the standard 'daar + preposition' pattern.

Common Mistakes

  • Using 'sinds' when you mean 'because'.

    Different MeaningSinds het regent, blijf ik binnen.
    Omdat het regent, blijf ik binnen.

    'Sinds het regent, blijf ik binnen' is correct, but it means 'ever since it started raining'. In English, 'since' can also mean 'because', but Dutch 'sinds' is for time. Use 'omdat' or 'aangezien' for a reason.

  • Using 'sinds' for future starting points.

    Ik begin sinds morgen met sporten.
    Ik begin vanaf morgen met sporten.

    Sinds is only used for actions that started in the past and continue to the present. For a starting point in the future, you must use 'vanaf'.

  • Confusing 'sinds' with 'geleden' for past events.

    Ik ben hier sinds drie jaar gekomen.
    Ik ben hier drie jaar geleden gekomen.

    While 'sinds' can describe a duration that continues now, use 'geleden' for a completed action that happened a specific amount of time ago.

How It Connects

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sindsLevel 2Since

Learn This First

To use 'sinds' correctly, you need to understand that Dutch uses the present tense for ongoing actions that started in the past. You also need to be familiar with time expressions like years and dates, as 'sinds' marks a specific starting point.

Words in This Pattern

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