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Exercise

Tell the time in Dutch

Two ways to practise: read the clock and say the time in Dutch, or hear/read the Dutch and drag the hands to match.

Minutes:
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Tip: say the time out loud before you reveal it, then compare with the audio.

How to tell the time in Dutch

Dutch uses the 12-hour clock in everyday speech and counts the minutes around the half hour. That is the part that trips up English speakers: half vier means 3:30 — half towards four — not 4:30. The pattern:

  • Full hours — number + uur: drie uur = 3:00.
  • 1–14 minutes past — over: vijf over drie = 3:05, tien over drie = 3:10.
  • Quarter past — kwart over: kwart over drie = 3:15.
  • 16–29 minutes past — count to the half hour with voor half: tien voor half vier = 3:20.
  • Half past — half + the NEXT hour: half vier = 3:30.
  • 31–44 minutes past — over half: vijf over half vier = 3:35.
  • Quarter to — kwart voor: kwart voor vier = 3:45.
  • 46–59 minutes past — voor the next hour: tien voor vier = 3:50.
  • Part of the day — add 's ochtends (morning), 's middags (afternoon), 's avonds (evening) or 's nachts (night) when it isn't clear from context.

Tips to learn Dutch time faster

  • Remember: half always points to the next hour. Say it out loud until half vier = 3:30 feels natural.
  • Make sure your Dutch numbers up to twelve are solid; every time depends on them.
  • Start with whole hours, then half hours and quarters, then 5 minutes — use the difficulty buttons above.
  • Timetables, shops and announcements use the 24-hour clock (vijftien uur dertig = 15:30); in conversation people use the 12-hour clock.
  • Practise a few minutes every day rather than one long session.

Frequently asked questions

How do you say the time in Dutch?

Start with het is ("it is"). Full hours use uur (het is drie uur), quarters use kwart over and kwart voor, and the minutes around the half hour use voor half and over half.

Why is "half vier" 3:30 and not 4:30?

Dutch says how far you are on the way to the next hour: half vier is "half (of the way to) four". German does the same (halb vier).

Do Dutch people use the 24-hour clock?

In writing, timetables and official announcements, yes: 15:30 is vijftien uur dertig. In everyday speech the 12-hour clock with 's ochtends, 's middags, 's avonds or 's nachts is far more common. This trainer teaches the spoken system.

Next: practise saying the date in Dutch, or build the numbers you need with the Dutch numbers flashcards.