Ways to say it
| Dutch | IPA |
|---|---|
| over | /ˈoː.vər/ |
| op | /ɔp/ |
| boven | /ˈboː.və(n)/ |
When describing physical positioning, over means on top of or above. It is also used as an adverb to mean 'again' or to indicate that something is 'left' or 'remaining' in the context of quantities. As a preposition of movement, it implies crossing from one side to the other.
Which one should you use?
While over can mean 'above' or 'over', use op when something is physically touching the surface of something else (on). Use boven to indicate a position higher than something else (above) or a location on a higher floor (upstairs). Unlike boven, over often implies movement from one side to the other or a position spanning across.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /ˈoː.vər/. It has 2 syllables, and the stress is on the 1st syllable.
Did you know?
- The Dutch word over is a direct relative of the English word 'over', both tracing back to the Proto-Germanic word *uber.
- While English uses 'over' to mean 'about' in a context like 'over the years', Dutch uses over in a similar way to mean 'about' or 'concerning', such as in the phrase over dit onderwerp.
- The word over can be used to describe what is 'left' in a quantity, a meaning that is entirely unrelated to physical height or position.
Examples in context
- Tom nam het over.Tom took over.This sentence shows the use of over in the context of taking over.Tatoeba #10051027 by Micsmithel, translation #2238824 by CK
- De pan kookt over.The pot is boiling over.This sentence demonstrates the use of over when a pot is boiling over.Tatoeba #3371294 by PaulP, translation #33415 by CK
- Wat blijft er over?What's left over?This sentence illustrates the use of over to ask what is left over.Tatoeba #10734577 by megamanenm, translation #2796942 by sharptoothed
- Ik schrijf u ten aanzien van het recente wetsvoorstel.I am writing to you regarding the recent bill proposal.
- Laten we het vanavond hebben over onze vakantieplannen.Let's talk over our holiday plans tonight.
- 215 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Julia and Noah are looking for a picture frame in a room.
- JuliaHang de foto over de bank.Hang the photo over the sofa.
- NoahIs dat niet te hoog?Isn't that too high?
- JuliaNee, dat is precies goed over de bank.No, that is exactly right over the sofa.
- NoahOké, ik doe het zo.Okay, I'll do it like that.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “over” translations and entries over, op, boven, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries boven, op, over, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
