Vanaf

Vanaf is a Dutch preposition and adverb used to mark the starting point of a span of time or space. It roughly corresponds to the English phrases “from” or “starting from.” The word is written as one unit and is invariable.

Usage and functions

In time expressions, vanaf introduces the lower bound of a period: vanaf maandag (from Monday), vanaf 9 uur (from 9 o’clock), vanaf heden or vanaf nu (as of today/from now on). It can also signal the onset of a change or policy: vanaf volgende week verandert het rooster (from next week the schedule changes). In spatial terms, vanaf can indicate a starting point in space: vanaf hier (from here).

Advertising and pricing

In retail and publishing, vanaf is commonly used to present a minimum price: vanaf €19,99. This usage signals that lower prices apply to certain products or configurations, with higher prices possible for more features or options.

Grammatical notes

Vanaf governs the following noun phrase and typically appears in temporal, spatial, or price contexts. It is a common, neutral term suitable for formal and informal language. There is no gender or number agreement to observe, and the word remains one piece in all standard varieties of Dutch.

Etymology and regional use

The term derives from a combination of van (from) and af (off, away), indicating a starting point. It is widely used in both the Netherlands and Flanders and is a standard feature of modern Dutch.

See also

Van, tot en met, vanaf heden, vanaf nu.