Ik heb een oude rode fiets.
English: I have an old red bike.
- Language
- Dutch
- Level
- B2
- Unit
- Bijvoeglijke naamwoorden, vergelijking en telwoorden
- Practice types
- 0
What this grammar point covers
In Dutch, you can use two adjectives together before a noun to give more information. This is called using double adjectives. Both adjectives usually get an -e ending in front of the noun.
When to use it
Use double adjectives in Dutch when you want to describe a noun with two (or more) characteristics. Both adjectives usually come before the noun and agree in form.
Key forms
- adjective 1 + adjective 2 + noun
- grote mooie tuin
- oud houten huis
Examples
We wonen in een klein wit huis.
English: We live in a small white house.
Zij draagt een lange blauwe jurk.
English: She is wearing a long blue dress.
Hij kocht een duur Italiaans horloge.
English: He bought an expensive Italian watch.
Tips
- Both adjectives usually get an -e ending before the noun.
- The order of adjectives is: opinion/quality first, then other details (like color, origin).
- Do not use a comma between the adjectives.
Exceptions and edge cases
- If the noun is a het-word in singular and indefinite form (without 'de' or 'het'), the adjectives do not get an -e ending: een mooi oud huis.
- Some adjectives do not get an -e ending, like 'leuk', 'duur' if they come after 'iets', 'niets', 'veel', 'weinig'.