Hallo beginnende taalleerders! Talking about when things happen, planning events, or discussing schedules is a fundamental part of communication. This requires knowing the names of the days of the week and the months of the year in Dutch. This is essential vocabulary that you will learn very early on, typically at the A1 level.

In this guide, we'll introduce you to the Dutch names for the weekdays and months. We'll also show you some basic phrases for using them in sentences to talk about when something happens. By the end, you'll be able to answer questions like "What day is it today?" or "When is your birthday?" in Dutch. This practical vocabulary is a core part of the initial steps in our Online Dutch Courses.

The Days of the Week (De Dagen van de Week)

The days of the week in Dutch are all common gender (de-words).

Using Days of the Week in Sentences:

• To say something happens *on* a specific day, you usually just use the day's name (often with a capital letter).
  Ik werk op maandag. (You can optionally add `op`, but it's often omitted). I work on Monday.
• Op zaterdag ga ik naar de markt. On Saturday I go to the market.
• To ask "What day is it today?", you say: Welke dag is het vandaag?
• To state the day: Vandaag is het [day of the week].
Vandaag is het dinsdag. Today is Tuesday.
• For 'this Monday', 'next Tuesday', 'last Wednesday':
  • `aanstaande` + day (next/this coming)
    Aanstaande vrijdag heb ik een afspraak. This/Next Friday I have an appointment.
  • `volgende` + day (next)
    Volgende week zondag gaan we uit. Next Sunday we are going out.
  • `afgelopen` + day (last past)
    Afgelopen zaterdag was het mooi weer. Last Saturday the weather was nice.

The Months of the Year (De Maanden van het Jaar)

The months in Dutch are also all common gender (de-words). Practice saying these out loud too!

Using Months in Sentences:

• To say something happens *in* a specific month, you use the preposition `in`.
  Ik ben jarig in april. My birthday is in April.
• De school begint in september. School starts in September.
• To ask "What month is it?", you can say: Welke maand is het?
• To state the month: Het is nu [month].
Het is nu maart. It is now March.

When using dates, you combine the day number and the month (see our Numbers & Time Expressions guide):

• Mijn verjaardag is op vijf mei. (or `op de vijfde van mei`) My birthday is on May fifth.

Why Master Weekdays and Months?

Knowing the days of the week and months of the year is absolutely fundamental for:

• Scheduling and Appointments: Making and understanding plans.
• Discussing Past and Future Events: Talking about when things happened or will happen.
• Understanding Calendars and Schedules: Reading timetables, plans, etc.
• Basic Personal Information: Stating your birthday or other important dates.

They are essential building blocks for talking about time in Dutch.

Tips for Practicing Weekdays and Months

Getting comfortable with days and months is about repetition and using them in context. Try these strategies:

• Say Them Daily: Start each day by saying or writing down the date in Dutch: "Vandaag is het [day], [number] [month] [year]."
• Use Flashcards: Create flashcards with the English on one side and the Dutch on the other. Include pronunciation notes.
• Sing a Song: Find simple Dutch songs or rhymes for the days and months.
• Practice Your Birthday: Memorize your birthday and the birthdays of a few family members or friends in Dutch.
• Discuss Your Schedule: Practice saying what you do on different days. "Op maandag werk ik, op dinsdag sport ik..."
• Look at Calendars: Get a Dutch calendar or look at one online and practice saying the names of the days and months as you see them.
• Listen Actively: Pay attention when native speakers mention days or months in conversation or on the radio/TV.

Conclusion: Marking Time in Dutch

Learning the Dutch names for the days of the week and months of the year is a straightforward but essential step in your language journey. These vocabulary items are used constantly in daily life and form the basis for more complex time expressions and scheduling.

While the names are mostly similar to English, practicing their correct pronunciation and remembering basic usage phrases (like using `in` for months and optionally `op` for days) will make you confident in discussing time. Consistent repetition is the key to making this vocabulary stick.

Our comprehensive Dutch language courses at Sprachlingua integrate these essential vocabulary items from the very beginning, providing structured practice and expert guidance. Join us to confidently mark time in Dutch!

Veel succes met de dagen en de maanden!