Telling the Time

Level 1

Dutch uses a 12-hour system in speech and a 24-hour system in writing. The most unique feature is that it looks forward to the next half-hour starting at the 20-minute mark.

How It Works

Dutch time-telling is 'future-oriented.' While English counts minutes past the hour until 30, Dutch switches its focus much earlier.

1. The Basics

  • Om: Always use the preposition om to say 'at' a certain time.
  • Uur: Use the word uur for whole hours (e.g., drie uur). It always stays singular.
  • Kwart: Use kwart over (quarter past) and kwart voor (quarter to).

2. The Half-Hour Pivot
In Dutch, half means 'halfway to the next hour.'

  • half vier = 3:30 (halfway to four)
  • half negen = 8:30 (halfway to nine)

3. The 20-40 Minute Zone
This is the most challenging part for learners. Between 20 and 40 minutes, you count relative to the half-hour:

  • 2:20 = tien voor half drie (ten before half three)
  • 2:25 = vijf voor half drie (five before half three)
  • 2:35 = vijf over half drie (five after half three)
  • 2:40 = tien over half drie (ten after half three)

4. AM vs PM
In conversation, Dutch uses the 12-hour clock. To be specific, add times of day:

  • 's ochtends (morning)
  • 's middags (afternoon)
  • 's avonds (evening)
  • 's nachts (night)

Examples (5)

  1. Het is drie uur.

    It is three o'clock.

    Word by Word: It is three hour.

    For whole hours, simply use the number followed by 'uur'.

  2. Zullen we om half twee afspreken?

    Shall we meet at 1:30?

    Word by Word: Shall we at half two meet?

    'Half twee' means 1:30 because it is halfway to two o'clock.

  3. Het is tien voor half vier.

    It is 3:20.

    Word by Word: It is ten before half four.

    At 20 minutes past, Dutch looks forward to the half-hour (3:30) and says it is 10 minutes before that point.

  4. De trein vertrekt om kwart over zeven 's avonds.

    The train leaves at 7:15 PM.

    Word by Word: The train departs at quarter over seven in-the evening.

    'Kwart over' is used for 15 minutes past, and ''s avonds' specifies it is PM.

  5. Het is vijf over half negen.

    It is 8:35.

    Word by Word: It is five over half nine.

    At 35 minutes past, Dutch says it is 5 minutes past the half-hour mark.

Common Mistakes

  • Using 'half acht' to mean 8:30.

    Different MeaningIk kom om half acht.
    Ik kom om half negen.

    'Half acht' is correct Dutch, but it means 7:30. For 8:30 say 'half negen'. In Dutch you name the hour you are heading toward, not the one that just passed.

  • Using the plural 'uren' when telling the time.

    Het is vier uren.
    Het is vier uur.

    When stating the time, 'uur' is always singular, even if the number is plural.

  • Using 'op' or 'in' instead of 'om' for 'at'.

    De film begint op acht uur.
    De film begint om acht uur.

    Use 'om' for 'at' a clock time: 'om acht uur'. 'Op' is not used for clock times. For an approximate time you can also say 'tegen acht uur' (around eight) or 'rond acht uur'.

How It Connects

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

Telling the TimeLevel 1

Learn This First

To tell time in Dutch, you must first be comfortable with cardinal numbers to name the hours and minutes. Additionally, understanding the preposition 'voor' (before) and 'over' (past/over) is essential because Dutch time-telling revolves around counting minutes relative to the nearest hour or half-hour mark.

Learn Next

Patterns that build on this one.

Words in This Pattern

omhalf