onder

Under

Level 1

The Dutch preposition onder primarily describes a physical position directly beneath something else. It is also used for abstract states (like 'under pressure') and specific time-related phrases.

How It Works

1. Spatial Position
The most common use is to indicate that something is physically below another object.
Example: De hond ligt onder de tafel. (The dog lies under the table.)

2. Quantities and Limits
Use onder to indicate being below a certain age, price, or number.
Example: Kinderen onder de 12 jaar zijn gratis. (Children under 12 years old are free.)

3. Among or In the Midst of
When you are in a group of people or things, Dutch uses onder where English might use 'among'.
Example: Hij is graag onder de mensen. (He likes being among people.)

4. Temporal (During)
In a few specific, fixed expressions, onder means 'during'. For general 'during', you should use tijdens.
Example: Niet praten onder het eten! (Don't talk during the meal!)

5. Pronominal Adverbs
When you want to say 'under it' or 'under them' (referring to objects), onder changes to eronder. This is part of the er + preposition system.

6. Verbs
Onder can be a prefix in particle verbs. It can be separable (literal, like ondergaan - to go down) or inseparable (figurative, like onderzoeken - to investigate). See stressed particles for more details.

Examples (5)

  1. De kat slaapt onder de stoel.

    The cat is sleeping under the chair.

    Word by Word: The cat sleeps under the chair.

    A standard use of 'onder' to show physical position.

  2. We praten niet onder de les.

    We don't talk during the lesson.

    Word by Word: We talk not under the lesson.

    Here 'onder' is used in a temporal sense, meaning 'during'.

  3. Er ligt een krant op de tafel en een boek eronder.

    There is a newspaper on the table and a book under it.

    Word by Word: There lies a newspaper on the table and a book there-under.

    When referring back to the table, 'onder' becomes 'eronder'.

  4. Zij is de beste onder de studenten.

    She is the best among the students.

    Word by Word: She is the best under the students.

    Using 'onder' to mean 'among' a group.

  5. De zon gaat onder.

    The sun is setting.

    Word by Word: The sun goes under.

    An example of 'onder' as a separable prefix in a verb.

Common Mistakes

  • Using 'onder' to mean 'downstairs'.

    Different MeaningIk ga onder.
    Ik ga naar beneden.

    'Ik ga onder' is correct Dutch, but it means 'I am going under' (sinking, or failing). As a preposition, 'onder' needs an object. For 'downstairs' as a direction, use 'naar beneden'.

  • Using 'onder' for every 'during' context.

    Onder de vakantie gaan we naar Spanje.
    Tijdens de vakantie gaan we naar Spanje.

    'Onder' only means 'during' in specific fixed phrases (like meals or lessons). For general events like vacations, use 'tijdens'.

How It Connects

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

onderLevel 1Under

Learn This First

The preposition 'onder' is a foundational spatial concept. To use it effectively, a learner needs to understand how to use definite articles with nouns and how to structure a basic sentence.

Words in This Pattern

onder