Dutch Nouns & Articles
Dutch Nouns & Articles
While in some languages, you can say "I buy book", in Dutch, you have to add an article: "I buy 'a' book". This is no novelty to English speakers. Not only do we have to add an article, we also have to choose between a definite (the book) and an indefinite article (a book).The Dutch go one step further: If you decide that you buy the book (definite article), there are two definite articles to choose from: 'De' and 'het'. Which one you need to use, depends on the gender of the noun. I can already reveal that in Dutch, the book is neuter and therefore, 'het boek'. You will read more about articles on the next page.The most important things you need to know about nouns is how to form plurals and diminutives (small nouns). We will also look at this typically Dutch phenomenon: The compound noun. But let us first have a look at the Dutch articles.
ArticlesJust like in English, in Dutch we use definite and indefinite articles. We use them pretty much in the same way but there are a few differences. The differences will be outlined in theuse of articles.What is an article?An article always precedes a noun (thing or person). It tells us whether we are dealing with a particular thing or person (definite) or whether we are talking about just any thing or person, or about things or persons in general (indefinite). In English, we have the indefinite article 'a' (or 'an') and the definite article 'the'.Indefinite article'A' means roughly the same as 'one'. If we place 'a' before a noun, we are saying that this noun is singular (one). "I want to buyonebook" could be an answer to the question "How manybooks do you want to buy? The statement "I want to buyabook" could be the answer to the questionwhatyou would like to buy. In languages that do not have articles, you would simply say "I want to buy book."By using 'one', we are stressing the quantity (a single one, merely one), while 'a' is used when the quantity is not relevant.Definite article'The' is similar to the demonstratives 'this', that, 'these' and 'those'. We use this article when we are referring to a specific thing or person. When we use a demonstrative pronoun, we are not only referring to a specific thing or person, we are also 'pointing' at it. I live in that house (I am now pointing at it). I live in the house (no need to point at it, you know which house I am talking about).
Definite articlesWhere the English are perfectly happy with only one definite article (the), the Dutch have to choose betweentwoarticles: 'de' and 'het'. How inconvenient, indeed. In the old days, the Dutch had eventhreedefinite articles, just like in German. The message is that it could have been worse.So what is the point of using two different articles? Frankly, there is no point. Nor is there a clear-cut rule for determining which nouns get 'het' as an article and which ones get 'de'. Unfortunately, non-native speakers just have to put up with it and learn thede and het nounsby heart. On the other hand, we are only dealing with tiny little, one-syllable words. If you mumble them a bit unintelligibly, no one might notice your mistakes.
.de-nounshet-nouns
singularde
de man
(the man)het
het huis
(the house)
pluralde
de mannen
(the men)de
de huizen
(the houses)
In those old days, each gender had its own article: masculine, feminine, and neuter. In modern Dutch, the distinction between feminine and masculine articles has disappeared: They are both 'de'. Because of the emancipation of feminine and masculine articles, there is no point talking about the gender of articles anymore. Instead, we simply talk aboutde and het nouns,where 'het' is of course the article of a neuter noun.As you can see, plural nouns always take 'de'.
Het-nounsAbout one third of all nouns are 'het nouns'. There are no clear rules to help you determine which article to use so it will be a matter of learning the article-noun combinations by heart. However, there are a few hints, which are listed below.Het-nouns hints All diminutivesSeediminutives.het egeltjethe (little) hedgehoghet ijsjethe icecream
het autootjethe (little) carhet foutjethe small mistake
All infinitives used as nounsSeethe verb as a noun.het vallen van de nacht(lit) the falling of the nighthet doen van een dutjetaking a nap
het tikken van de klokthe ticking of the clockhet komen en gaan van de vogelsthe coming and going of the birds
All nouns of the type the good thing, the bad thing etc.het leuke is...the funny/nice thing is...het stomme is...the stupid thing is...
het rare/gekke is...the strange/funny thing is...het mooie is...the good thing is
het belangrijkste is...the most important thing ishet vervelende is...the bad thing is...
All words ending in -um, -aator -ismehet decorumthe decorumhet ultimatumthe ultimatum
het museumthe museumhet aquariumthe aquarium
het resultaatthe resulthet mandaatthe mandate
het referaatthe lecturehet consulaatthe consulate
het surrealismethe surrealismhet egosmethe selfishness
het liberalismethe liberalismhet idealismethe idealism
Exceptions: -aat nouns that refer to persons, e.g. de advocaat (lawyer), de fanaat (fanatic) de aristocraat (aristocrate) and also: de prostaat (prostate). Most nouns beginning with the prefixesge-, be-andver-but not those ending in-inghet gefluisterthe whisperinghet gegeventhe fact, detail
het gezangthe singinghet gedoethe hassle, bother
het beklagthe complainthet bestuurthe government
het bereikthe reach, rangehet beginthe beginning
het vermogen1. the capacity 2. the propertyhet verdrietthe sorrow, grief
het verliesthe losshet verledenthe past
het verkeerthe traffichet verhaalthe story
But: de gewoonte (habit, custom) Some other commonly used het-nounshet boekthe bookhet woordthe word
het geldthe moneyhet papierthe paper
het formulierthe formhet werkthe work
het bankbiljetthe banknotehet paspoortthe passport
het identiteitsbewijsthe IDhet landthe country
het rijbewijsthe driving-licencehet dorpthe village
het cafthe pubhet restaurantthe restaurant
het hotelthe hotelhet spelthe game
het feestthe partyhet bierthe beer
het sapthe juicehet waterthe water
het vuurthe firehet fornuisthe stove
het gasthe gashet lichtthe light
het broodthe breadhet vleesthe meat
het ontbijtthe breakfasthet dinerthe dinner (party)
het bordthe platehet eithe egg
het mesthe knifehet vetthe fat
het spekthe baconhet zoutthe salt
het glas(the) glasshet huishouse
het toiletthe toilethet balkonthe balcony
het dakthe roofhet plafondthe ceiling
het bedthe bedhet lakenthe sheet
het raamthe windowhet antwoordapparaatthe answering machine
het trapportaalthe stair landinghet stopcontactthe socket
het terrasthe terracehet hoofdthe head
het kindthe childhet oorthe ear
het oogthe eyehet haarthe hair
het beenthe leghet hartthe heart
het botthe bonehet dierthe animal
het bloedthe bloodhet jaarthe year
het seizoenthe seasonhet uurthe hour
het kwartierthe quarter (of an hour)het kwartaalthe quarter of a year
het horlogethe watchhet tijdstipthe moment, point in time
het roosterthe roasterhet schemathe schedule
De-nounsThe absence of rules applies to het-nouns as well as to de-nouns. But there a few guidelines fordenouns.De-nouns hints Plural nounsAll plural nouns take the article 'de' regardless of whether their singular forms aredeorhetwords.de planetenthe planetsde potlodenthe pencils
de druppelsthe dropsde botenthe boats
de gedachtenthe thoughtsde kinderenthe children
de handenthe handsde lijnenthe lines
Obviously feminine or masculine nounsAlthough most words are not obviously feminine or masculine, 'de' is the article used for feminine and masculine nouns. Some words leave no doubt about their genders, which makes it easy to see that they take 'de'.de vrouwthe womande manthe man
de teefthe bitch (female dog!)de hengstthe stallion
de koninginthe queende koningthe king
de meidthe maidde jongenthe boy
Nouns ending in -ing (feminine)These nouns are derived from verbs.de betalingthe paymentde veroveringthe conquest
de uitnodigingthe invitationde rekeningthe bill
de betoveringthe spellde openingthe opening
de ontdekkingthe discoveryde hervormingthe reform
Buthetding (the thing); this word does not derive from a verb. Nouns ending in -tie, -thie, and -sie (feminine)de politiethe policede petitiethe petition
de executiethe executionde tractatiethe treat
de sympathiethe sympathiede empathiethe empathy
de visiethe visionde fusiethe merge
Nouns ending in -or (masculine)de motorthe motorde generatorthe generator
de monitorthe monitorde perforatorthe perforator
de professorthe professorde factorthe factor
de alligatorthe alligatorde radiatorthe radiator
PersonsNouns that refer to persons are almost alwaysdenouns. This makes sense, since generally speaking, persons are either feminine or masculine. Because family members are all persons, they are alldewords:de moederthe motherde vaderthe father
de dochterthe daughterde zoonthe son
de kleindochterthe granddaughterde kleinzoonthe grandson
de tantethe auntde oomthe uncle
de nichtthe cousin (f) , niecede neefthe cousin (m), nephew
de grootmoederthe grandmotherde grootvaderthe grandfather
de omathe grandmade opathe grandpa
But: we sayhetkind (the child). Nouns ending in -aar (masculine)These are derived from verbsde handelaarthe traderde molenaarthe miller
de veroveraarthe conquerorde tovenaarthe wizard
de leugenaarthe liarde dienaarthe servant
de minnaarthe loverde ambtenaarthe civil servant
Nouns ending in -eur (masculine)Usually of a Latin origin.de programmeurthe programmerde acteurthe actor
de adviseurthe consultantde profiteurthe parasite
de amateurthe amateurde directeurthe chief executive
de auteurthe authorde instructeurthe instructor
Words ending in -er (masculine)Just like in English, the most common ending for agents of a verb (to work - a worker, to sing - a singer).de verkoperthe seller, salesmande danserthe dancer
de slagerthe butcherde bakkerthe baker
de dokterthe doctorde schrijverthe writer
de zangerthe singerde dromerthe dreamer
Female endingsThese nouns fall under the category 'obviously feminine nouns'.de verkoopster (verkoper)the saleswomande danseres (danser)the dancer (f)
de actrice (acteur)the actressde zangeres (zanger)the singer (f)
de keizerin (keizer)the empressde directrice (directeur)the chief executive (f)
de minnaresthe lover (f) , mistressde kokkin (kok)the cook (f)
Indefinite article 'een'
Just like in English, the Dutch language has only one indefinite article: 'een'. Whether the noun is ahetor ade wordis no issue. The plural indefinite noun is blank, again the same as in English.--de-nounshet-nouns
singulareen
een man
(a man)een
een huis
(a house)
plural--
mannen
(men)--
huizen
(houses)
Using articlesIn general, articles are used in the same way as in English. However, there are some cases in which article usage differs in the two languages.No article in Dutch, (in)definite article in English ProfessionsHij istandarts.He is a dentist.
Mijn oma iseconoom.My grandmother is an economist.
Musical instrumentsZij speeltpiano.She plays the piano.
Ik speelgitaar.I play the guitar.
Definite article in Dutch, no article in English SeasonsIn de winterdraag ik warme kleren.In winter, I wear warm clothes.
In de herfstzie je overal van die mooie kleuren.In autumn, you see beautiful colours everywhere.
LanguagesKun je het ookin het Nederlandszeggen?Can you also say it in Dutch?
Het boek is alleenin het Engelsverkrijgbaar.The book is only available in English.
We generally use 'het' only after prepositions, usually after 'in': "Can you say it in Dutch?" becomes "Kun je het in het Nederlands zeggen" but "Do you speak Dutch" is "Spreek je Nederlands?" Superlative adverbsDefinite article in Dutch, no article in EnglishWelke letter komthet meestvoor in het Nederlands?Which letters occurs most frequently in Dutch?
Je ziet de sterrenhet duidelijkstin de woestijn.You see see the stars most clearly in the desert.
Other examplesDe dienstplichtwerd een paar jaar geleden afgeschaft.Military conscription was abolished a few years ago.
De gezondheidszorgwas een belangrijk thema tijdens de verkiezingen.Healthcare was an important issue during the elections.
Plural nouns
For the plural noun we can generally use two endings:-enor -s. The latter is identical to the English plural form. Most nouns can only take either -en or -s as their plural endings but there is a substantial group of nouns that can take both.de lampde lampenthe lamp(s)
de tafelde tafelsthe table(s)
Apart from these, there are a few more endings that are less common:-erenand-a.het kindde kinderenthe child(ren)
het museumde museathe museum(s)
These nouns form a small minority and our attention will be focused mainly on -enand -s. On the next pages, we will first look at how we add -enand -sto the singular form. Because we cannot just randomly pick an ending for a noun, we will then discuss the nouns that take -enand those that take -sin the plural.
Common endings for plural nouns
By far most nouns take -enin the plural. The formula is very simple:noun +enHowever, when you add -ento a noun, you have to bear in mind three spelling rules:1. Maintain the length of the vowelShort vowels should stay short, long vowels should stay long, regardless of whether the noun is written in its singular or plural form.See alsokeeping vowels short/long.de rokde rokkenthe skirt(s)
het gevalde gevallenthe case(s)
2. No open double vowelIf the last syllable of the singular form contains a double vowel, be sure to avoid an 'open double vowel' in the plural form.de peerde perenthe pear(s)
het gevaarde gevarenthe danger(s)
3. Replace hard f/s by soft v/zIf a singular noun ends in hard (unvoiced)fors, we generally write soft (voiced)vandzin the plural. See alsohard and soft consonants.de neusde neuzenthe nose(s)
de briefde brieventhe letter(s)
Plurals ending in -sNext to-en, many plural nouns end in-s.The formula for the plural form:noun +sExamples of plural nouns that end in -s:de tafelde tafelsthe table(s)
de computerde computersthe computer(s)
de tovenaarde tovenaarsthe wizard(s)
ApostropheWhen a singular noun ends in a single vowel, you cannot simply add -sto it. After all, a single open vowel is along vowel. If we add -sto it, it will turn into a (closed)short vowel. In order to keep the vowel long, we add an apostrophe:de autode auto'sthe car(s)
het menude menu'sthe menu(s)
het programmade programma'sthe program(s)
The singleeat the end of a word is an exception as it is amute e, not a long vowel. Adding s will not change the mutee.het gebergtede gebergtesthe mountain range(s)
de gewoontede gewoontesthe habit(s), custom(s)
de boetede boetesthe fine(s)
N.B. Correcting forhard and soft consonantsis not necessary. Anfstays anfand ansstays ans.Now you probably wonder why we need two different endings for the plural form. We already had-en, which does its job perfectly well. As with many other linguistic phenomena, there is no rationale behind it. It would have been a lot easier if we would just stick to only one ending. But since we have to deal with two, we might as well have a look at the '-s nouns' and the '-en nouns'.
Plural ending: -s or -en?So which nouns get -en in their plural and which ones get -s?Let us assume that all nouns are in principle -ennouns. Below, the characteristics of nouns that take -sin the plural are outlined. Generally speaking, all other nouns are -ennouns. It may a bit overwhelming, all these little rules. Most people do not learn them by heart, they just start using the right plural forms when they grow into the phonetics of the Dutch language. On the next page, you can read a clear overview of all these rules.We add -s to the following nouns:1. Nouns that end in a single vowel2. Nouns that end in an unstressed vowel combination3. Nouns that end in the unstressed endings -el, -em, -en, -er, -erd, -aar, -aard, or -um4. Nouns that end in the stressed endings -eur and -foon5. Person's titles or professions that end in -oor or -ier6. Foreign words that also take the plural -s in their original language7. Names of letters and acronyms1. Nouns that end in a single vowel (seelong vowels)Add anapostrophe('s) to nouns ending in single a, i, o, u, or y . They need an apostrophe to keep their vowels long.de omade oma'sthe grandmas
de skide ski'sthe skis
de radiode radio'sthe radios
het menude menu'sthe menus
de babyde baby'sthe babies
Some nouns that end in 'u' can take both -en and -s: individuen/individu's, residuen/residu's.Do not add an apostrophe to nouns ending in a single -e, as this is amute e.de breedtede breedtesthe widths
de boetede boetesthe fines
de ziektede ziektesthe diseases
Exception: adjective-based nouns that refer to people get -n in their plural form:de bekendede bekendenthe known people
de gepensioneerdede gepensioneerdenthe retirees
de werkendede werkendenthe working people
Sometimes, nouns ending in a mute e are given an -en ending. However, this cannot be done to all nouns so if you want to play it safe you better use the -s ending.2. Nouns that end in an unstressedvowel combination.The most common unstressed vowel combination you find at the end of a singular noun isie. Other unstressed vowel combinations at the end of a noun are quite rare. In the table, the stressed syllables are underlined.de repetitiede repetitiesthe rehearsals
devisiede visiesthe visions
debamboede bamboesthe bamboos
Exceptions: bacterie - bacterin and chemicalie - chemicalin[1]3. Nouns that end in the unstressed endings -el, -em, -en, -er, -erd, -aar, -aard, or -umIn the table, the stressed syllables are underlined.delepelde lepelsthe spoons
debezemde bezemsthe brooms
dekeukende keukensthe kitchens
dewekkerde wekkersthe alarm clocks
deengerdde engerdsthe creeps
degierigaardde gierigaardsthe scroogy persons
dewandelaarde wandelaars[2]the (recreational) walkers
de geraniumde geraniums[3]the geraniums
4. Nouns that end in the stressed endings -eur and -foonIn the table, the stressed syllables are underlined.de monteurde monteursthe technicians
de carburateurde carburateursthe carburetter
de telefoonde telefoonsthe phones
de microfoonde microfoonsthe microphones
5. Person's titles or professions that end in -oor or -ierde majoorde majoorsthe majors
de pastoorde pastoorsthe pastors
de bankierde bankiersthe bankers
de kruidenierde kruideniersthe grocers
6. Foreign words that also take the plural -s in their original languageThe Dutch language has borrowed many words from English and French, where the plural is formed by adding -s.de elektriciende elektriciensthe electricians
het depotde depotsthe depots
de tramde tramsthe trams
het duelde duelsthe duels
7. Names of letters and acronymsAdd anapostrophebetween the letter/acronym and the -s ending.de BVde BV'sthe ltd's
de cdde cd'sthe cd's
aa'sa's
bb'sb's
Exception: acronyms and letters that already end in an -s sound get -en (note the apostrophe!).de xde x'enthe x'es
de sde s'enthe s'es
de HTSde HTS'enthe technical colleges
de vwxde vwx'ennon-existent acronym
Notes:[1] Note that we do not add -en, but only -n. The reason for this is that the last syllable is unstressed. Had it been stressed, as in genie (genius), we would have added -en: genien.[2] In Dutch as it is spoken in Holland, many -but not all- words that end in -aarget the ending -eninstead of -s. They do this for words like eigenaren (owners), leraren (teachers), and ambtenaren (civil servants). The Flemmish are more consistent in using the -s ending.[3] Several Latin -umnouns can also take -aas the plural ending.
Summarizing plurals ending in -s and -enThe table gives the characteristics of nouns take -sin the plural.
Nouns that end in a single vowelAdd an apostrophe to nouns ending in singlea, i, o, u,ory. They need an apostrophe to keep their vowels long.
Do not add an apostrophe to nouns ending in a single e, as this is amute e.
Exception: adjective-based nouns get-en
Nouns that end in unstressedeeDoubleeeis a long vowel, the only one allowed in duplo at the end of a word.
Nouns that end in an unstressed vowel combinationThe most common unstressed vowel combination you find at the end of a singular noun isie. Other unstressed vowel combinations at the end of a noun are quite rare.
Nouns that end in the following unstressed endings-el, -em, -en, -er, -erd, -aar, -aard, -um
Nouns that end in the following stressed endings-eur, -foon
Person's titles or professions that end in:-ier , -oor
Foreign words that also take -s in their language:The language has borrowed many words from English and French, where the plural is formed by adding-s.
Names of letters and acronymsAdd an apostrophe between the letter/acronym and the-sending.
Less common plural endings-erenThere are a few nouns to which we have to add -eren instead of -en:het kindde kinderenthe child(ren)
het kalfde kalverenthe calves
het eide eierenthe eggs
het gemoedde gemoederenthe moods
het goedde goederenthe goods
het lamde lammerenthe lambs
het liedde liederenthe songs
het rundde runderenthe oxen
het volkde volkerenthe peoples
Note the doubled 'm' in lammeren (seekeeping vowels short) and thefthat turned intovin kalveren (seehard and soft consonants).The noun 'het been' gets an extrad:het beende beenderenthe bones
'Been' has two different meanings: 1. bone and 2. leg. If it refers to a leg, the noun has a regular plural:het beende benenthe legs
'Het blad' is irregular because we let the short vowel in the singular turn into a long one in the plural. The plural's syllables are separated by dashes so that you can see that the letter a is now a single open vowel. The regular spelling rules dictate that thedbe doubled to keep the vowel short.het bladde bla-de-renthe leaves
het bladde bla-denthe sheets (of paper)
Both plurals are irregular. The regular plural form would have been bladden.-aLatin nouns that end in -um get -sin the plural. Some nouns can also take -a instead of s. The -a ending comes in the place of -um.het museumde museums/ museathe museums
het stadiumde stadiums/ stadiathe phases
het podiumde podiums/ podiathe (theater) stages
het aquariumde aquariums/ aquariathe aquariums
The same can happen to words that end in -on, a less common ending in Dutch.het stadionde stadions/ stadiathe stadions
Irregular pluralsThere is a modest list of irregular plural nouns. The irregularity lies in the change of the last syllable's vowel.Short vowel turning into a long vowelRecall that a short vowel needs to stay short and long vowel long. Most irregular nouns have vowels that turn into long ones because we do not correct for vowel length (seerules for keeping vowels short/long).het badde badenthe baths
het bedragde bedragenthe amounts
het bevelde bevelenthe orders, commands
het bladde bladenthe sheets (of paper)
de dagde dagenthe days
het dakde dakenthe roofs
het dalde dalenthe valleys
het gatde gatenthe holes
het gebodde gebodenthe commands
het gelagde gelagenthe tavern
het gebedde gebedenthe prayers
het gebrekde gebrekenthe deficits
het gende genenthe genes
de godde godenthe gods
de hertogde hertogenthe dukes
het hofde hoventhe courts, courtyards
het holde holenthe dens
het lotde lotenthe lottery tickets
de oorlogde oorlogenthe wars
het padde padenthe paths
but: de padde paddenthe toads
het schotde schotenthe shots
de slagde slagenthe hits, blows
het slotde slotenthe locks
het spelde spelenthe games
de stafde staventhe staff
het vatde vatenthe barrels
but: het vatde vattenthe handles
het verbodde verbodenthe prohibition
het verdragde verdragenthe treaties
het verlofde verloventhe vacations, leaves
de wegde wegenthe ways
FromitoeSome nouns with the letteriin the last syllable will have this vowel changed intoein the plural.het gelidde gelederenthe lines, ranks
het lidde ledenthe members
het schipde schepenthe ship
de smidde smedenthe smiths
-heid / -heden-heidis the Dutch equivalent of English endings such as -ityor -ation. In de plural, we say -heden.de gelegenheidde gelegenhedenthe occasions
de overheidde overhedenthe governments
de moeilijkheidde moeilijkhedenthe difficulties
de aanwezigheidde aanwezighedenthe presences
DiminutivesThe diminutive form is extremely popular in Holland. Its use is not exclusively reserved for small things. It is also widely used for things that are considered sweet, cute, funny, or even annoying.The basic formula for the diminutive is:noun+jeRecall that diminutives are always het-nouns.het kindhet kindjethe child
het schaaphet schaapjethe sheep
de voethet voetjethe foot
het ooghet oogjethe eye
de neushet neusjethe nose
de haphet hapjethe bite, snack
Unfortunately, the story is not quite this simple. Depending on the phonetics of the noun, many diminutives do not simply get-jebut rather-tje, -etje, -pje,or-kje.Continue to the next page to read more about this.If you only arrived on this page to look up a diminutive ending for a noun, have a look at thechecklist.
Diminutive endingsNot all Dutch nouns simply accept the addition of-jeat their tails. They often want an extra letter before -je to make their diminutive forms sound better. That is why, apart from '-je', you will also find the following diminutive endings:-tje-etje
-pje-kje
There is an extensive list of rules for determining the ending of a diminutive, which will be discussed in detail on the following pages. The idea is that you have to know how to form a diminutive even for words you have never heard before, as the rules for diminutive endings are based on the phonetic shape of a word.If you are not interested in all these rules, skip the following pages and use thechecklistas a reference.If you commit yourself to speaking Dutch a lot and thus get accustomed to Dutch phonetics, you will find that after some time, you will automatically get the diminutive endings right.The other diminutive endingsOn the following pages, we will have a look at the four alternative diminutive endings.-tjeis added to nouns that: end in a vowel (a, e, i, o, u, ij/y) or w end in along vowelfollowed by r, l, or n end in unstressed -er, -el, or -en, where theeis amute e-etjeis added to nouns ending in ashort vowelfollowed by a single r, l, n, m or ng-kjeis added to nouns ending in unstressed -ing-pjeis added to nouns ending in: long vowelfollowed by -m unstressed -em, where theeis amute e
Diminutives ending in -tje-tje-etje
-pje-kje
-tje is added to nouns that:1. end in a vowel (a, e, i, o, u, y / ij) or w2. end in a long vowel followed by r, l or n3. end in unstressed -er, -el, en or -or1. Nouns that end in a vowel (a, e, i, o, u, y / ij) or wde truihet truitjethe jersey
de rijhet rijtjethe row, queue
het eihet eitjethe egg
de vrouwhet vrouwtjethe woman
de duwhet duwtjethe push
de draaihet draaitjethe turn
Nouns ending in a single a, i, o, or u are written with two vowels in the diminutive, to keep their vowels long (seerules for keeping vowels long/short).de omahet omaatjethe grandma
de colahet colaatjethe (glass of) coke
het alibihet alibietjethe alibi
de taxihet taxietjethe taxi
de fotohet fotootjethe photo
de autohet autootjethe car
het menuhet menuutjethe menu
de parapluhet parapluutjethe umbrella
Nouns ending in a single y (usually English words) get an apostrophe before -tje, to keep the vowel long.de babyhet baby'tjethe baby
de lobbyhet lobby'tjethe lobby
The popular Italian dessert 'tiramisu' also gets an apostrophe instead of a double vowel. Because the u is not pronounced in a Dutchway but in an Italian way (the way the Dutch pronounceoe), we cannot double the vowel. In this word, double uu would lead to a wrong pronunciation.de tiramisuhet tiramisu'tjethe tiramisu
2. Nouns that end in along vowelfollowed by r, l or n:de zoonhet zoontjethe son
de deurhet deurtjethe door
het beenhet beentjethe leg
de uilhet uiltjethe owl
het gebaarhet gebaartjethe gesture
het wielhet wieltjethe wheel
3. Nouns that end in unstressed -er, -el, en, or -or.Recall that an unstressedeis always amute e.de vaderhet vadertjethe father
de nagelhet nageltjethe nail
de dekenhet dekentjethe blanket
de borrelhet borreltjethe alcoholic drink
de centimeterhet centimetertjethe centimeter
het lakenhet lakentjethe sheet
de professorhet professortjethe professor
de motorhet motortjethe motor
Diminutives ending in -etje-tje-etje
-pje-kje
The ending -etje is added to nouns that end in ashortvowel followed by a single r, l, n, m or ng.Exceptions: nouns that end in unstressed -el, -er, or -en get-tje. nouns that end in unstressed -em get-pje. nouns that end in unstressed -ing get-kje.de manhet mannetjethe man
het gezinhet gezinnetjethe family
de balhet balletjethe ball
het dinghet dingetjethe thing
het lamhet lammetjethe lamb
de stemhet stemmetjethe voice
Note that the final consonant of the noun is doubled in order to keep the vowel short (seerules for keeping vowels short/long). This does not happen to nouns ending in -ng as the vowel remains short after adding -etje.
Diminutives ending in -pje-tje-etje
-pje-kje
The ending -pje is added to nouns that end in: along vowelfollowed by -m -lm or -rm unstressed -um or -em, where 'e' is amute eNote that nouns ending inshort vowelsfollowed by -m get-etje.de oomhet oompjethe uncle
de bezemhet bezempjethe broom
de duimhet duimpjethe thumb
de wormhet wormpjethe worm
de braamhet braampjethe blackberry
de filmhet filmpjethe film
het museumhet museumpjethe museum
het stadiumhet stadiumpjethe phase
Diminutives ending in -kje-tje-etje
-pje-kje
-kje is added to nouns ending in unstressed -ing. Note that we drop the -g:
de verrassinghet verrassinkjethe surprise
de koninghet koninkjethe king
de woninghet woninkjethe apartment
de kettinghet kettinkjethe necklace
de tweede verdiepinghet tweede verdiepinkjethe second floor
de beloninghet beloninkjethe reward
Diminutives checklist
Those of you who did not and will not read all those diminutive rules can consult the table below to check the diminutive for each noun ending. Nouns that simply take -je are not listed here, which means that if your noun does not have any of the endings listed below, its diminutive will take -je.How to use this tableSuppose you want to look up the diminutive for the noun 'bezwaar' (objection). First, you take the lastsyllableof the word, which is 'zwaar'. Then, drop all the consonants before the vowel(s) and you get 'aar'. Scroll down and you will find that words that end in 'aar' have diminutives ending in 'aartje'. Thus, a small 'bezwaar' is a 'bezwaartje'.Adiminutive ending
-a-aatje
-aai-aaitje
-aal-aaltje
-aar-aartje
-aam-aampje
-al-alletje
-alm-almpje
-am-ammetje
-an-annetje
-ang-angetje
-ar-arretje
-arm-armpje
-au-autje
-auw-auwtje
Ediminutive ending
-e-etje
--tje
-ee-eetje
-eel-eeltje
-eem-eempje
-eer-eertje
-eeuw-eeuwtje
-ei-eitje
-el (unstressed)-eltje
-el (stressed)-elletje
-elm-elmpje
-em (unstressed)-empje
-em (stressed)-emmetje
-en (unstressed)-entje
-en (stressed)-ennetje
-eng-engetje
-er (unstressed)-ertje
-er (stressed)-erretje
-erm-ermpje
-eu-eutje
-eul-eultje
-eum-eumpje
-eun-euntje
-eur-eurtje
Idiminutive ending
-i-ietje
-ie-ietje
-iel-ieltje
-iem-iempje
-ien-ientje
-ier-iertje
-ieuw-ieuwtje
-il-illetje
-ilm-ilmpje
-im-immetje
-in-innetje
-ing (unstressed)-inkje
-ing (stressed)-ingetje
-ir-irretje
-irm-irmpje
Odiminutive ending
-o-ootje
-oe-oetje
-oei-oeitje
-oel-oeltje
-oem-oempje
-oen-oentje
-oer-oertje
-ol-olletje
-olm-olmpje
-om-ommetje
-on-onnetje
-ong-ongetje
-ooi-ooitje
-ool-ooltje
-oom-oompje
-oon-oontje
-oor-oortje
-or (unstressed)-ortje
-or (stressed)-orretje
-orm-ormpje
-ou-outje
-ouw-ouwtje
Udiminutive ending
-u-uutje
-ui-uitje
-ul-ulletje
-ulm-ulmpje
-um (unstressed)-umpje
-um (stressed)-ummetje
-un-unnetje
-ung-ungetje
-ur-urretje
-urm-urmpje
-uul-uultje
-uum-uumpje
-uun-uuntje
-uur-uurtje
Ydiminutive ending
-y-y'tje
Irregular diminutivesThere are a few diminutives that do not follow the normal rules:het bladhet blaadje(not: bladje)the leaf
het gathet gaatje(not: gatje)the hole
het glashet glaasje(not: glasje)the glass
de jongenhet jongetje(not: jongentje)the boy
het padhet paadje(not: padje)the path
het schiphet scheepje(not: schipje)the ship
het vathet vaatje(not: vatje)the barrel
But:het handvathet handvatje(regular)the little handle
Different meaningsSometimes, the meaning of a noun changes when it is written in a diminutive form:de schotelthe dishhet schoteltjethe saucer
de kaartthe cardhet kaartjethe ticket
de geinthe funhet geintjethe joke
het plezierthe pleasure, joyhet pleziertjethe favour
het ijsthe icehet ijsjethe icecream
The nouns meisje (girl) and etentje (dinner-party) only exists in their diminutive forms.
Summarizing the diminutives-jeNouns ending in:Operation
basic formSimply add -je
-tjeNouns ending in:Operation
vowel (a, e, i, o, u, y) or -wSingle -a, -o, and -u are doubled to keep vowel long (see alsorules for keeping vowels short/long).Note that i is never doubled to keep the vowel long. Instead an e is added: -i --> -ietjeSingle e is amute eand does not need to be doubled; you only add -tje.
Single y gets an apostrophe tokeep vowel long.
All others (vowel combinations, double ee): Simply add -tje.
long vowel+ -r, -l, or -nSimply add -tje.
unstressed -er, -el, -en, or -orSimply add -tje.
-etjeNouns ending in:Operation
short vowel+ -r, -l, -n, -m or -ngSingle -r, -l, -n, and -m are doubled to keep vowel short (see alsorules for keeping vowels short/long)
-kjeNouns ending in:Operation
unstressed -ingReplace -g by -k
-pjeNouns ending in:Operation
Long vowel+mSimply add -pje.
unstressed -um or -emSimply add -pje.
-lm or -rmSimply add -pje.
Compound Nouns
A compound noun is a noun that is made up of two or more words that can also occur independently, e.g. bed + room = bedroom.the last word of the compound determines the overall gender of the compound nounIn other words: Whether a compound noun is ade-orhet-noun is determined by the last word in the compound.The compound noun can consist of two independent nouns, but it can also consist of an adjective and a noun, an adverb and a noun, or a verb and a noun. Two nounsde koffie + het kopjehet koffiekopjethe coffeecup
het werk + de plaatsde werkplaatsthe workplace
het land + de bouwde landbouwthe agriculture
Adjective + nounklein + het geldhet kleingeldsmall change
groot + de meesterde grootmeestergrand-master
rood + het borstjehet roodborstjerobin ('red chest')
Adverb / preposition + nounvoor + de loperde voorloperthe precedent ('forerunner')
tegen + de spelerde tegenspelerthe adversary ('against player')
achter + de deurde achterdeurthe back door
Verb + nounWe use the stem of the verb (seethe stem of a verb):eten + de kamerde eetkamerthe dining room
denken + de wijzede denkwijzethe vision, way of thinking
roeien + de bootde roeibootthe rowing boat
Compound noun connectorsThe parts of a compound usually need a connecting element like -s, -e, or -en. In certain cases you do not need a connecting element at all.connectors
-en / -e-s
-ernone
In the 1996 and 2006 spelling revisions, they tried to simplify the rules for these connecting elements, but the general opinion is that they have not succeeded in that. It was difficult, and it still is.When you have to write something in Dutch, use a spellchecker or look up the words in a dictionary. When it comes to connecting elements, many native Dutch speakers would do well following the same advice! However, in case you are interested in the all but clear rules, here they are.
Connectors -e and en
When we connect two nouns to each other, we usually have to place -en between them.In spoken Dutch, we usually do not (or hardly) pronounce the letter 'n', which makes it hard to determine whether you have to write -e or -en. On this page, you will find a few guidelines to distinguish between the connectors -e and -en.We write -e if the first word of the compound noun:1. is a person or object of which there is obviously only one2. is not a noun (but an adjective, adverb, verb, etc.)3. forms a fossilized combination with the second partThere are so many exceptions to the above rules, that it is always wise to check the spelling in a dictionary or atwww.woordenlijst.org.Connecting -e1. The first word is a person or an object of which there is obviously only one:de koningin + de dag(de) KoninginnedagQueens Day
de zon + de straalde zonnestraalthe sun beam
de maan + de schijnde maneschijnthe moonshine
2. The first word is not a noun:spinnen + het wielhet spinnewielthe spinning-wheel
wiegen + het liedhet wiegeliedthe lullaby
rood + de koolde rodekoolthe red cabbage
Note that most compound words that start with a verb or adjective getno connectorat all. This guideline simply tells you that if we do use a connector, it must be -e.3. The compound is fossilized, i.e. the meaning of the compound word is not the sum of the meanings of its separate componentsde bak + de baardde bakkebaardthe side burn
de bruid + de gomde bruidegomthe bride groom
de el + de boogde elleboogthe elbow
The last guideline must be really hard for non-native speakers!Connecting -enIn general, we connect words by -en, unless they fall under one of the three categories above.Apart from the distinction between -e and -en, we must be able to establish when to use -en or -s. The latter is another common connector, which we will discuss in detail on the next page.We use the connector -en if the first word exclusively takes -en as a plural ending. Since this is the case for the majority of Dutch words, -en is the most common connector.het paard + de stalde paardenstalthe horse stable
het gebaar + de taalde gebarentaalthe sign language
het bed + het goedhet beddengoedthe bed linen
de toets + het bordhet toetsenbordthe keyboard
de punt + de slijperde puntenslijperthe pencil ('point') sharpener
de waar + het huishet warenhuisthe warehouse
Connector -sYou are now about to learn one of the most fascinating Dutch grammar rules: The rule regarding the connecting elements -s. Quite frankly, it is hardly worth the qualification 'rule':we use the connecting -s in written language,if it is also used in spoken languageThis is theofficialguideline. Even Dutch native speakers, this is far from evident. Since there is not always a 100% agreement among the more than 20 million Dutch speakers about the presence of the connectings, some compound words can be written both with and without ans.This is the consequence of basing a linguistic rule on spoken language.Although the use of the connecting -s seems quite random, there are a few nouns that always take a connecting -s when they consitute the first part of a compound noun: Verb-based nouns that end in unstressed -ingde verdediging + de liniede verdedigingsliniethe defense line
de betaling + het verkeerhet betalingsverkeerthe ' payment traffic'
de begroting + het tekorthet begrotingstekortthe budget deficit
Verb-based nouns that end in unstressed -er. Many of the non-verb based nouns ending in unstressed -er also use the connecting -s.de arbeider + de partijde arbeiderspartijthe labour (workers) party
de beginner + het gelukhet beginnersgelukthe beginner's luck
de ondernemer + de zinde ondernemerszinthe entrepreneurial spirit
Diminutiveshet meisje + de kledingde meisjeskledingthe girls clothes
het pakje + de avond(de) pakjesavondSt. Nicholas Eve (Dutch holiday)
het sprookje + het boshet sprookjesbosthe fairy tale woods
A few tipsI repeat my advice: Use a spellchecker! Now suppose your compound noun is not mentioned in the dictionary. In this case, the Nederlandse Taalunie has a few tips for you:1. Check your dictionary for a compound noun that begins with the same word. If a connecting -s is used for this word, then you should also use it for your unlisted compound noun. If the connecting -s is not used, then you should not use it either.2. Things will get really confusing if you find several mentionings of compound nouns that begin with the same word as your compound noun, but some of themwithand some of themwithouta connecting -s. If this is the case, use the most frequently mentioned form. In other words, use a connecting -s if most compound nouns in the dictionary that begin with the same word get a connecting -s.3. Check the internet for the most frequently used form.4. Use your 'taalgevoel', your language intuition (certainly most helpful).De Nederlandse Taalunie is the official Dutch language authority to be found online atwww.taalunieversum.org.
Connecting -erSometimes, we use the connector -er for words that get -eren the plural for (seeplural nouns).het kind + de wagende kinderwagenthe buggy
het ei + de dooierde eierdooierthe egg-yolk
het kalf + de liefdede kalverliefdethe ('calf') love between teenagers
het rund + het gehakthet rundergehaktthe minced beef
The connector -er is very uncommon. Even words that take -eren as a plural ending, usually get -e, -en, -s.Next to kalverliefde, we also have kalfskarbonade (veal-cutlet), next eierdooier also eiwit (protein) and eicel (egg-cell), and next to rundergehakt also rundvlees (beef).
No connector
We do not use a connector if:1. the first part ends in a vowel (including themute e):2. the first part ends in unstressed -en, -el, or -em3. the first part is not a noun1. The first part ends in a vowel (including themute e)het menu + de kaartde menukaartthe menu card
de politie + de agentde politieagentthe police officer
het programma + het boekjehet programmaboekjethe program booklet
de geboorte + het cijferhet geboortecijferthe birth rate
Exception: Compound nouns of which the first part is a diminutive. In this case, you have to use aconnecting -s.2. The first part ends in unstressed -en, -el, or -em.In the table below, the stressed syllables are underlined so that it is easy to see that -en, -el, and -em are unstressed.hetkussen + het sloophetkussensloopthe pillow case
desleutel + de hangerdesleutelhangerthe key hanger
debezem + de steeldebezemsteelthe broom stick
3. The first part is not a noun.The first part could be, for example, an adjective, an adverb, a verb, or a noun:hard + de loperde hardloperthe jogger
uit + de gangde uitgangthe exit
wandelen + de stokde wandelstokthe walking stick