Last week I wrote about prepositions related to time.  Sticking with the theme of time, this week we will look at some adverbs related to time and the words you might use when talking about order of events.  For both, I will begin by sharing some useful vocabulary words with you, followed by an example utilizing the words plus any usage notes you might need and finally the example’s English translation.

Vocabulary List

• altijd (always)
• meestal (most of the time/usually)
• vaak (often)
• regelmatig (regularly)
• soms (sometimes)
• zelden (seldom)
• nooit (never)

Example:

Op zaterdag morgen gaan we altijd naar de groentenboer.  Meestal gaan we ook naar de bakerij en vaak gaan we naar de slagerij.  Wij gaan regelmatig naar de supermarket.  Soms gaan we naar de Hema, zelden naar de Gall & Gall en nooit naar het reisbureau.

Translation:

On Saturday morning we always go to the vegetable farmer.  Most of the time we also go to the bakery and we often go to the butcher.  We go regularly to the supermarket.  Sometimes we go to the Hema, seldom to the Gall & Gall and never to the travel agency.

Note: Adverbs of time usually follow the conjugated verb.  However, if the adverb begins the sentence then the verb comes second and the subject moves to the third place.

Next, lets look at order of events.

Vocabulary List

• eerst (first)
• dan/toen (then)
• daarna (afterwards)
• vervolgens (next)
• verder (then or next)
• tenslotte (lastly)

Example:

Wat doe ik op zondag ochtend?  Eerst eet ik onbijt.  Dan ga ik naar buiten om een stukje te wandelen.  Daarna schrijf ik een paar briefjes naar mijn vrienden en familie.  Vervolgens lees ik een boek.  Verder doe ik de was.  Tenslotte eet ik lunch.

Translation:

What do I do on Sunday mornings?  First I eat breakfast.  Then I go outside for a small walk.  Afterwards I write a couple of letters to my friends and family.  Next I read a book.  Then I do the washing.  Lastly I eat lunch.

Note: If you are writing or speaking in the past tense, then you would use toen instead of dan.  Toen is always used in the past tense.

Practice:

Just like last week, a great way to practice is to make up your own mini-stories using the vocabulary discussed.  If you would like to share your stories then you can do so in the comments section or on the Transparent Language Dutch Facebook page.  Succes!