Learn Hardcore Dutch: Onze openingstijd staat op het bord bij de deur. - Our opening time is on the sign by the door.

Dutch often forms compound nouns by combining two (or more) words. Here opening + tijd becomes openingstijd. Also, Dutch only capitalizes proper nouns, so openingstijd stays lowercase.

Why is openingstijd singular? In English we say opening hours.

Dutch can use the singular openingstijd to refer to the schedule of opening hours as a concept. You can use the plural openingstijden if you list multiple time frames (e.g., morning and afternoon). Here it’s general, so singular works.

What does staat op mean, and why not use is?

Literally staat op = stands on. Dutch often says iets staat op iets when something is displayed or printed on a surface. It’s the normal way to say is displayed on, instead of using is.

When should I use staan, liggen, or hangen?

• staan: for upright or displayed objects (e.g., text staat in a book, a vase staat op tafel)
• liggen: for objects lying flat (e.g., een boek ligt op tafel)
• hangen: for objects suspended (e.g., een schilderij hangt aan de muur)

Why do we say op het bord and not aan het bord?

• op = on the surface of something. Text or numbers printed on a board staan op het bord.
• aan = on or at a vertical surface, but for hanging or attaching (e.g., a sticker zit aan het bord).

Why het bord and de deur? How do I know which article to use?

• deur is a de-woord, so it takes de.
• bord is a het-woord, so it takes het.
There’s no rule you can deduce from meaning; you have to learn each noun’s gender.

Why bij de deur and not aan de deur?

• bij = near or by the door; it indicates proximity. The board is next to the door.
• aan = on or at the door itself, implying attachment.

How does the word order work in this sentence?

Dutch main clauses generally follow Subject–Verb–(Object)–Adverbials. Here:
• Subject: Onze openingstijd
• Verb: staat
• Adverbial phrases (place): op het bord + bij de deur
The location phrases come after the verb.