When learning Dutch, one of the fundamental concepts you need to understand is how to express time, specifically hours. In English, we simply use “hour” and “hours” to indicate the singular and plural forms. However, in Dutch, the distinction between “uur” and “uren” can be a bit more nuanced.

Understanding ‘Uur’

‘Uur’ is the Dutch word for “hour” and is used in much the same way as in English. However, it is mostly used in the singular form when referring to specific times on the clock. This is akin to pointing at a particular hour on the clock.

Ik werk tot vijf uur. (I work until five o’clock.)

In this sentence, “uur” is used to specify the time at which something occurs. This is a common usage when talking about schedules or specific times of day.

Using ‘Uren’

‘Uren’, on the other hand, is the plural form and is used to indicate a duration of time, more than one hour or when speaking in general terms about hours.

Het duurt twee uren om daar te komen. (It takes two hours to get there.)

Here, “uren” is used to indicate the duration, a plural measurement of time, rather than a specific point on the clock.

When to Use ‘Uur’ and ‘Uren’

The usage of ‘uur’ and ‘uren’ can be influenced by the context in which they are used. When referring to specific times, especially on the hour, “uur” is used.

Het is nu één uur. (It is now one o’clock.)

However, when referring to time durations or a number of hours generally, “uren” is used.

Wij hebben uren gepraat. (We talked for hours.)

Exceptions and Special Cases

There are exceptions to these rules, particularly in spoken Dutch where colloquial usage can vary. For example, when talking about time in a casual conversation, Dutch speakers might drop the noun altogether:

Hoe laat is het? (What time is it?)

Het is drie. (It’s three.)

Here, “uur” is implied and understood even though it’s not explicitly stated. This is common in everyday speech.

Compound Times

When telling time in Dutch, especially compound times (not on the hour), “uur” is still used to denote the hour part.

Het is kwart over vier uur. (It is a quarter past four.)

Even though this isn’t a simple on-the-hour time, “uur” is used because the reference is still to a specific point in time.

Conclusion

Understanding the difference between “uur” and “uren” is essential for properly expressing time in Dutch. Remember, use ‘uur’ for specific times and ‘uren’ for durations or multiple hours. With these guidelines, you should be able to tell and talk about time in Dutch more confidently. Keep practicing these differences, and soon, telling time in Dutch will become second nature.