Talking about dates in the past and future

Often we're using a lot of dates in stories we tell. You talk about last weekend or next Monday. Or maybe you want to share something about your last holiday. You want to make sure the person you are talking to gets the dates right! Let's look at a few important Dutch words.

Important words for talking about past

Let's say it's Saturday 6th of June. And you want to say something about something you did Thursday 4th of June. Here are your options:

Afgelopen donderdag heb ik een nieuwe fiets gekocht.
The person listening will interpret this as Thursday 4th of June. Afgelopen = you simply mean the last Thursday.

Vorige donderdag heb ik een nieuwe fiets gekocht.
Not often used, people will doubt about the day. Is it Thursday 4th of June or 28th of May?

Vorige week donderdag heb ik een nieuwe fiets gekocht.
People will probably assume you mean 28th of May.

Eergisteren heb ik een nieuwe fiets gekocht.
Clearly Thursday 4th of June.

Twee dagen geleden heb ik een nieuwe fiets gekocht.
Clearly Thursday 4th of June.

Donderdag heb ik een nieuwe fiets gekocht.
Clearly Thursday 4th of June.

X Laatste donderdag heb ik een nieuwe fiets gekocht.
Not correct.

Important words for talking about the future

Now let's say you'd like to say something about the future. It's Saturday 6th of June but Thursday 11th of June is your birthday!

Komende donderdag ben ik jarig.
The person listening will interpret this as Thursday 11th of June. Komende = you simply mean the upcoming Thursday.

Aanstaande donderdag ben ik jarig.
The person listening will still interpret this as Thursday 11th of June. Aanstaande = you simply mean the upcoming Thursday.

Volgende donderdag ben ik jarig.
Not often used, but in this context, it's clear you mean Thursday 11th.

Volgende week donderdag ben ik jarig.
Since it's Saturday when you say this, people will probably assume you mean Thursday 11th.

Over vijf dagen ben ik jarig.
Clearly Thursday 11th of June, but people will have to count a little ;).

Deze donderdag ben ik jarig.
Clearly Thursday 11th of June.

Donderdag ben ik jarig.
Clearly Thursday 11th of June.

X Naaste donderdag ben ik jarig.
Not correct!

Same situation, but this time your birthday is Thursday 11th of June and today is Monday June 8th. So, the moment of telling is in the same week as the birthday. This changes things a bit.

Komende donderdag ben ik jarig.
The person listening will still interpret this as Thursday 11th of June. Komende = you simply mean the upcoming Thursday.

Aanstaande donderdag ben ik jarig.
The person listening will still interpret this as Thursday 11th of June. Aanstaande = you simply mean the upcoming Thursday.

Volgende donderdag ben ik jarig.
Not often used, but in this context it is unclear if you mean Thursday 11th or Thursday 18th.

Volgende week donderdag ben ik jarig.
Since it's Monday when you say this, people will probably assume you mean Thursday 18th.

Over drie dagen ben ik jarig.
Clearly Thursday 11th of June.

Deze donderdag ben ik jarig.
Clearly Thursday 11th of June.

Donderdag ben ik jarig.
Clearly Thursday 11th of June.

X Naaste donderdag ben ik jarig.
Not correct!

So, if you want to say "last Thurday", afgelopen donderdag is a great option. And if you want to say "next Thursday", you could use komende or aanstaande.