er was eens Learn Unstarted Literal Breakdown Recording English Dutch Learn there er Learn was was Learn once eens Learn Summary The Dutch translation for “once upon a time” is er was eens. The Dutch, er was eens, can be broken down into 3 parts:"there" (er), "was" (was) and "once" (eens). Practice Lesson "once upon a time" Practice (4) Lesson Learn Lesson words once, there, was etc. View all lesson words Lesson phrases once upon a time etc. View all lesson phrases Themed Courses Miscellaneous 8 Part of Speech Courses Adverbs 2 Acknowledgements Audio voice156