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