---
title: "Als, wanneer or toen: when and if"
level: B1
chapter: "Word order"
canonical: https://www.dutchfluency.com/grammar/als-wanneer-toen
updated: 2026-10-09
author: Dutch Fluency
license: CC BY-SA 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)
---

# Als, wanneer or toen: when and if

English uses "when" for almost everything, but Dutch uses _toen_ for one moment or period in the past, and _als_ for "if" and for "when" in the present, the future or with repeated events. _Wanneer_ is a more formal "when" and also the question word. As linking words, all three send the verb to the end of their clause.

## The pattern

> _Toen_ looks back at one moment or period in the past; _als_ sets up a condition, a present or future moment, or a habit. _Wanneer_ is the formal twin of _als_ and also the question word.

- _toen_ + a past form, for one occasion or one period: _Toen ik in Leiden woonde, ..._
- _als_ for "if": _Als ik tijd heb, bel ik je._
- _als_ for "when" in the present or future, and for events that repeat, even in the past: _Als het regent, neemt Bas de bus._
- _wanneer_ in a direct question, followed by the verb: _Wanneer begint de les?_
- As linking words, all three start a subordinate clause (a part of a sentence that cannot stand alone), so the conjugated verb (the one that matches the subject) goes to the end. A main clause after it [starts with its verb](https://www.dutchfluency.com/grammar/subclause-first).

## Examples

| **Toen** Mei vijf jaar geleden naar Nederland **kwam**, sprak ze nog geen Nederlands. | When Mei came to the Netherlands five years ago, she didn't speak any Dutch yet. |
| Ik stond net onder de douche, **toen** de bel **ging**. | I was just in the shower when the doorbell rang. |
| **Als** Emma morgen niet **kan**, verplaatsen we de vergadering. | If Emma can't make it tomorrow, we'll move the meeting. |
| **Als** Sanne **thuiskomt**, gaan we eten. | When Sanne gets home, we'll have dinner. |
| **Als** Joris naar zijn werk **fietst**, luistert hij altijd naar een podcast. | When Joris cycles to work, he always listens to a podcast. |
| **Als** we vroeger bij opa **logeerden**, mochten we lang opblijven. | When we stayed at Grandpa's back then, we were allowed to stay up late. |
| **Wanneer** u **verhuist**, moet u dit doorgeven aan de gemeente. | When you move house, you have to report it to the municipality. |
| Weet jij **wanneer** de huisartsenpraktijk weer open **is**? | Do you know when the GP's practice is open again? |

## Why it works this way

English "when" does two jobs. Sometimes it points at one spot on the timeline: that is _toen_. Sometimes it sets up a condition or a pattern (whenever this, then that): that is _als_, which is why _als_ covers "if" and "when" alike. _Als Sanne thuiskomt_ (she will) and _als het morgen regent_ (it might) feel different in English, but Dutch treats both as the setting for the main clause.

Compare:

- _Toen het vorige week sneeuwde, nam ik de trein._ One week, one time.
- _Als het vroeger sneeuwde, nam ik de trein._ Every time it snowed.
- _Toen Daan belde, zat ik bij de tandarts._ One call, already over.
- _Als Daan belt, zeg dan dat ik bij de tandarts zit._ A call that may still come.

_Toen_ has a second job: at the start of a main clause it means "then", and the verb follows straight away: _Ik kwam thuis. Toen belde ik Lotte._ Compare _Toen ik thuiskwam, belde ik Lotte._

German speakers, careful: German "als" is Dutch _toen_, and German "wenn" is Dutch _als_.

_Wanneer_ in a statement simply sounds more formal. Letters from the _gemeente_ use it a lot, often meaning "if" (_Wanneer u vragen heeft, kunt u ons bellen._), while at the kitchen table most people say _als_.

Remember: asking when something happens? _wanneer_. One moment or period in the past? _toen_. A condition, a present or future moment, or a habit? _als_ (or _wanneer_ in formal Dutch).

## Watch out

- Not: _Als ik gisteren thuiskwam, was het pakket er al._ Say: _Toen ik gisteren thuiskwam, was het pakket er al._ (one moment in the past needs _toen_)
- Not: _Als ik heb tijd, bel ik je._ Say: _Als ik tijd heb, bel ik je._ (the verb goes to the end of the _als_ clause)
- Not: _Toen ik in Amsterdam woonde, ik had geen auto._ Say: _Toen ik in Amsterdam woonde, had ik geen auto._ (after the _toen_ clause, the main clause starts with its verb)
- Not: _Ik weet niet als Carlos morgen komt._ Say: _Ik weet niet of Carlos morgen komt._ ("if" in the sense of "whether" is _of_)

## Quick check

1. Fill in _toen_, _als_ or _wanneer_: ... ik vorige week in Rotterdam was, kwam ik Fatima tegen.
2. Choose _toen_ or _als_: ... het morgen regent, neem ik de trein naar mijn werk.
3. Fix the sentence: _Toen Ahmed was ziek, bleef hij thuis._
4. Choose _toen_, _als_ or _wanneer_: ... begint de cursus Nederlands?

## Answers

1. _Toen_: one moment in the past (last week).
2. _Als_: a condition about tomorrow, and _toen_ only looks back at the past.
3. _Toen Ahmed ziek was, bleef hij thuis._ The verb _was_ goes to the end of the _toen_ clause.
4. _Wanneer_: of the three, only the question word can start a direct question.

## Use it today

Write three sentences about your first weeks in the Netherlands that start with _Toen ik ..._, then one plan for this weekend that starts with _Als het mooi weer is, ..._. Check that the verb sits at the end of each _toen_ or _als_ clause.

## Questions learners ask

**What is the difference between als and toen in Dutch?**

Use toen for one specific moment or period in the past, as in Toen ik in Leiden woonde. Use als for "if", for "when" in the present or future, and for events that happen repeatedly, also in the past.

**When do you use wanneer instead of als in Dutch?**

Wanneer is the Dutch question word for "when", as in Wanneer begint de les? In statements it works like als in the sense of "when" but sounds more formal, so you see it often in official letters.

**Does the verb go to the end after als, toen and wanneer?**

Yes, when they link two clauses they start a subordinate clause, so the conjugated verb goes to the end: Als ik tijd heb, bel ik je. In a direct question such as Wanneer kom je?, the verb comes right after wanneer instead.

From the Dutch Fluency Grammar: https://www.dutchfluency.com/grammar. Shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.