Dutch Timekeeping: A Guide to Weekdays, Months, and Seasons
The Dutch are known for being punctual and organized, and this extends to their timekeeping practices. If you’re planning to visit or move to the Netherlands, it’s important to understand how the Dutch keep track of time.
In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about weekdays, months, and seasons in the Netherlands.
Weekdays in the Netherlands
In the Netherlands, the days of the week are named after Germanic gods and goddesses. Here’s a list of the Dutch days of the week and their English translations:
- Maandag (Monday)
- Dinsdag (Tuesday)
- Woensdag (Wednesday)
- Donderdag (Thursday)
- Vrijdag (Friday)
- Zaterdag (Saturday)
- Zondag (Sunday)
It’s worth noting that in the Netherlands, the week starts on Monday and ends on Sunday, which is different from some other countries where the week starts on Sunday.
Months in the Netherlands
The Dutch use the Gregorian calendar, which is the same as the calendar used in most countries around the world. The months of the year in Dutch are:
- Januari (January)
- Februari (February)
- Maart (March)
- April (April)
- Mei (May)
- Juni (June)
- Juli (July)
- Augustus (August)
- September (September)
- Oktober (October)
- November (November)
- December (December)
Please note that the Dutch often write the date in a different order than other countries. In the Netherlands, the day comes before the month, and the year comes last. For example, 31 January 2023 would be written as 31-01-2023.
Seasons in the Netherlands
The Netherlands has four distinct seasons: Lente (spring), zomer (summer), herfst (autumn) and winter (winter). Here’s what you can expect during each season:
Spring
Spring in the Netherlands starts in March and lasts until June. During this time, you can expect mild temperatures, occasional rain showers, and blossoming flowers.
The famous tulip fields of the Netherlands are in full bloom during the spring, making it a popular time to visit.
Summer
Summer in the Netherlands starts in June and lasts until September. It’s the warmest and sunniest time of the year, with temperatures averaging around 20-25°C (68-77°F).
The Dutch love to spend time outdoors during the summer, whether it’s going to the beach or having a BBQ in the park.
Autumn
Autumn in the Netherlands starts in September and lasts until December. It’s a beautiful time of the year, with the leaves on the trees turning vibrant shades of red, orange, and yellow.
The weather can be unpredictable during this time, with occasional rain and cooler temperatures.
Winter
Winter in the Netherlands starts in December and lasts until March. It’s the coldest time of the year, with temperatures averaging around 2-5°C (36-41°F).
While the Netherlands doesn’t get a lot of snow, you can expect occasional frost and icy conditions. When there is frost the Dutch like to go out for ice-skating on frozen canals.
Conclusion
Understanding Dutch timekeeping is an important part of integrating into Dutch culture.
By familiarizing yourself with the days of the week, months of the year, and seasons in the Netherlands, you’ll be better equipped to navigate your way around and enjoy all that this beautiful country has to offer.