Ik heb een hondje.
English: I have a little dog.
- Language
- Dutch
- Level
- B1
- Unit
- Zelfstandige naamwoorden en hoeveelheden
- Practice types
- 0
What this grammar point covers
In Dutch, 'verkleinwoorden' are diminutives: special forms of nouns used to make something sound smaller, cuter, or more informal.
When to use it
Use diminutives in Dutch to talk about small objects, to sound friendly or informal, or when talking to children. Sometimes, diminutives are used just to make the conversation softer or more casual.
Key forms
- Most nouns: add -je (boek → boekje)
- Nouns ending in -m, -n, -l, -r: often add -pje or -tje (boom → boompje, stoel → stoeltje)
- Nouns ending in -ing: add -etje (woning → woninkje)
- Nouns ending in a vowel: add -tje (auto → autootje)
Examples
Wil je een kopje koffie?
English: Do you want a cup of coffee?
Het meisje speelt met haar poppetje.
English: The girl is playing with her little doll.
In de tuin staat een boompje.
English: There is a small tree in the garden.
Mag ik een koekje?
English: Can I have a cookie?
Tips
- All diminutives in Dutch are neuter (het-words), even if the original noun is not.
- The plural of a diminutive is formed with -s (boekje → boekjes).
- Watch out for spelling changes, especially double vowels or consonants.
Exceptions and edge cases
- Some words change spelling when forming the diminutive, like 'glas' → 'glaasje'.
- A few nouns have irregular diminutives, such as 'kind' → 'kindje'.