Meaning
Stating that you are going to sleep.
Cultural Background
The Dutch are famous for their 'agenda' culture. Going to bed at a set time is part of a structured life that many Dutch people value to remain productive ('nuttig'). In Flanders, you might also hear 'Ik ga slapen' more frequently, but 'Ik ga naar bed' is equally understood and used. In student houses, 'naar bed gaan' might be replaced by 'm'n nest in duiken', reflecting a more casual, messy lifestyle. Bedtime is often non-negotiable. Telling a child 'Je gaat nu naar bed' is a common daily ritual.
Drop the 'het'
Never say 'naar het bed' unless you are pointing to a specific piece of furniture you just bought.
Be Direct
Don't feel rude saying this at 10 PM. The Dutch value honesty about being tired.
Meaning
Stating that you are going to sleep.
Drop the 'het'
Never say 'naar het bed' unless you are pointing to a specific piece of furniture you just bought.
Be Direct
Don't feel rude saying this at 10 PM. The Dutch value honesty about being tired.
Gaan vs. Zijn
Remember that in the past tense, you use 'zijn' (Ik ben gegaan), not 'hebben'.
Test Yourself
Fill in the missing verb for 'I am going to bed'.
Ik ___ naar bed.
The subject 'Ik' requires the first-person singular form of the verb 'gaan', which is 'ga'.
Which sentence is grammatically correct?
Choose the correct Dutch translation for 'I am going to bed'.
In this idiom, we do not use an article ('de/het') before 'bed'.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Het is al middernacht! B: Je hebt gelijk. ___.
Since it is midnight (middernacht), going to bed is the most logical response.
Match the Dutch phrase with its English meaning.
Match the following:
These are the three most common phrases used together at night.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Bedtime Vocabulary
Objects
- • Het bed
- • Het kussen
- • De deken
Actions
- • Gaan
- • Slapen
- • Dromen
Practice Bank
4 exercisesIk ___ naar bed.
The subject 'Ik' requires the first-person singular form of the verb 'gaan', which is 'ga'.
Choose the correct Dutch translation for 'I am going to bed'.
In this idiom, we do not use an article ('de/het') before 'bed'.
A: Het is al middernacht! B: Je hebt gelijk. ___.
Since it is midnight (middernacht), going to bed is the most logical response.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
These are the three most common phrases used together at night.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsTechnically yes, but it sounds like you are going to a specific object, not going to sleep. For the idiom, always omit 'het'.
'Te bed' is very archaic and only found in old literature or specific idioms like 'te bed liggen'. Stick to 'naar bed'.
'Naar bed gaan' is the process of heading to the bedroom. 'Slapen' is the actual state of being unconscious.
You say: 'Ik ben naar bed gegaan'.
Yes, it is perfectly polite. Just add 'Welterusten' or 'Tot morgen' to soften it.
Usually no. For daytime, use 'Ik ga even een dutje doen' (I'm going to take a nap).
Dutch has 'final devoicing', meaning 'd' at the end of a word always sounds like 't'.
It's a cozy idiom meaning 'under the wool (blankets)', a common alternative to 'naar bed'.
No, 'naar bed' is sufficient. Adding 'mijn' is possible but less common.
The standard response is 'Welterusten' or 'Slaap lekker'.
Related Phrases
Welterusten
similarSleep well / Goodnight
Slaap lekker
similarSleep deliciously (well)
Onder de wol kruipen
specialized formTo crawl under the wool
Uitslapen
contrastTo sleep in
