# date(withNaturalLanguageString:locale:) Creates and returns a date object set to the date and time specified by a given string. ``` class func date(withNaturalLanguageString string: String, locale: Any?) -> Any? ``` ## Parameters `string` A string that contains a colloquial specification of a date, such as “last Tuesday at dinner,” “3pm December 31, 2001,” “12/31/01,” or “31/12/01.” `locale` An `NSDictionary` object containing locale data. To use the user’s preferences, you can use `[[NSUserDefaults standardUserDefaults] dictionaryRepresentation]`. If you pass `nil` or an instance of `NSLocale` , `NSDate` uses the system default locale—this is not the same as the current user’s locale. ## Return Value A new `NSDate` object set to the date and time specified by `string` as interpreted according to `locale`. ## Discussion This method supports only a limited set of colloquial phrases, primarily in English. It may give unexpected results, and its use is strongly discouraged. To create a date object from a string, you should use a date formatter object instead (see [`DateFormatter`](/documentation/Foundation/DateFormatter) and [Data Formatting Guide](https://developer.apple.com/library/archive/documentation/Cocoa/Conceptual/DataFormatting/DataFormatting.html#//apple_ref/doc/uid/10000029i)). The keys and values that represent the locale data from `locale` are used when parsing the string. In addition to the locale keys listed in the class description, these keys are used when parsing natural language strings: - NSDateTimeOrdering - NSEarlierTimeDesignations - NSHourNameDesignations - NSLaterTimeDesignations - NSNextDayDesignations - NSNextNextDayDesignations - NSPriorDayDesignations - NSThisDayDesignations - NSYearMonthWeekDesignations --- Copyright © 2026 Apple Inc. All rights reserved. | [Terms of Use](https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/terms/site.html) | [Privacy Policy](https://www.apple.com/privacy/privacy-policy)