Gender of Dutch nouns (male / female / neuter)
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The difference between the gender of the nouns has disappeared over the years in the Dutch language. Masculine and feminine nouns are now both 'de' and 'het' is still the article of a neuter noun. However, there are no exact rules that can help determine when to use which article.
Lesson outline
HideHow to distinguish between female, male and neutral Dutch nouns?
The article 'de' can be used for female and male nouns. It is not really important to know if a noun is female or male. The article 'het' is used for neutral nouns. You can find the gender of the nouns in the dictionary.
There are obvious genders of nouns, because it is already in the meaning:
- De vrouw (the woman) → female
- De koning (the king) → male
- De man (the man) → male
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How to make masculine nouns feminine?
To make Dutch masculine nouns female, a suffix is added to the nouns:
| Masculine | Feminine | Example | Translation |
|---|---|---|---|
| De Deen (the Danish man) | De Deense (the Danish woman) | De Deense woont in Amsterdam. | The Danish woman lives in Amsterdam. |
| De zanger (the singer) | De zangeres (the female singer) | De zangeres kan goed zingen. | The female singer can sing very well. |
| De leeuw (the lion) | De leeuwin (the lioness) | De leeuwin is boos. | The lioness is angry. |
| De speler (the player) | De speelster (the female player) | De speelster speelt goed. | The female player plays well. |
Neuter nouns in Dutch (Het-nouns)
As explained above there are no rules. There are some guidelines to remember:
| When? | Example | Translation |
|---|---|---|
| All diminutives |
|
|
| The infinitives used as a noun |
|
|
| All nouns ending in '-aat' (that do not refer to a person), '-um', '-isme' |
|
|
| Most nouns that begin with the prefix 'be-', 'ver-', 'ge-', but do not end in '-ing' |
|
|
| All nouns that say 'the good thing is ...', 'the bad thing is ...' |
|
|
Male and female nouns (De-nouns)
There are a few tips for the 'de-nouns' to be able to remember when to use them:
| When? | Examples | Translation |
|---|---|---|
| All plural nouns |
|
|
| Obvious feminine or masculine nouns |
|
|
| Nouns that end in '-ing' |
|
|
| Nouns that end in '-tie', '-thie', '-sie' |
|
|
| Nouns that end in '-or' |
|
|
| Persons (except het kind) |
|
|
| Nouns that end in '-aar' |
|
|
| Nouns that end in '-eur' |
|
|
| Words ending in '-er' |
|
|
| Nouns that are obviously female |
|
|
Train your skills with the exercises below!
Exercises
Exercise gender of Dutch nouns (male/female/neuter) 1
Choose 'de' (female/male) or 'het' (neuter).
wind (the wind)
meisje (the girl)
muis (the mouse)
huis (the house)
prins (the prince)
man (the man)
glas (the glass)
koningin (the queen)
konijn (the rabbit)
gordijn (the curtain)
vrouw (the woman)
zee (the sea)
jongen (the boy)
park (the parc)
bril (the glasses)
Exercise gender of Dutch nouns 2
Change the masculine nouns to feminine nouns. Some only have a change in ending, for some the word almost completely changes.
De prins (the prince) - de prins (the princess)
De koning (the king) - de koning (the queen)
De leeuw (the lion) - de leeuw (the lioness)
De speler (the player) - de (the female player)
De zanger (the singer) - de zanger (the female singer)
De chauffeur (the driver) - de (the female driver)
De leraar (the teacher) - de (the female teacher)
De steward (the flight attendant) - de steward (the female flight attendant)
De aanbidder (the worshiper) - de aanbid (the female worshiper)
De bewaker (the guard) - de (the female guard)
Exercises
Exercise gender of Dutch nouns (male/female/neuter) 1
Choose 'de' (female/male) or 'het' (neuter).
wind (the wind)
meisje (the girl)
muis (the mouse)
huis (the house)
prins (the prince)
man (the man)
glas (the glass)
koningin (the queen)
konijn (the rabbit)
gordijn (the curtain)
vrouw (the woman)
zee (the sea)
jongen (the boy)
park (the parc)
bril (the glasses)
Exercise gender of Dutch nouns 2
Change the masculine nouns to feminine nouns. Some only have a change in ending, for some the word almost completely changes.
De prins (the prince) - de prins (the princess)
De koning (the king) - de koning (the queen)
De leeuw (the lion) - de leeuw (the lioness)
De speler (the player) - de (the female player)
De zanger (the singer) - de zanger (the female singer)
De chauffeur (the driver) - de (the female driver)
De leraar (the teacher) - de (the female teacher)
De steward (the flight attendant) - de steward (the female flight attendant)
De aanbidder (the worshiper) - de aanbid (the female worshiper)
De bewaker (the guard) - de (the female guard)
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My name is Job and Dutch is my native language.
I can help you with all the basics of speaking, reading and writing. I can also help you pass exams that require dutch, like your inburgeringscursus (NT2a or CNAVT). I can teach students from A1 up to B2 level. Also, I passed for my TEFL for the English language, so there will be no problem with explaining the Dutch language.
Discipline is the key to effective learning. I'm extremely organized, well-prepared for each of my lessons and I will never miss a single class. I have tons of study materials, which I hand out to my students after the class and customize lesson plans with.
Each learning objective is met by the end of the lesson. Grammar and a sufficient range of vocabulary are impossible to overlook, and I value it in my approach.
Dutch grammar can be tricky for non-native speakers. I go over concepts repeatedly until my students get the hang of it.
Why choose me as your tutor? I am:
--> Students passed for their exams with help of my lessons.
--> Organised; always prepared for every lesson.
--> Patient: we can continue as long as we need.
--> Friendly
--> Enthusiastic
--> Like meeting new people from the rest of the world.
My Methodology
My classes are normally up to one hour. It's possible to have longer lessons If you prefer this.
So far I have done over 1000+ lessons and gathered sufficient information that is useful in order to pass your exams or to get familiar with the language.
My materials comprise of speaking, writing, grammar, reading and listening. During our lessons we shall cover all of these aspects.
Here's a normal lesson plan with me if you're a beginner:
- Vocabulary (5 min): discussing new learned verbs.
- Pronounciation (10 min): reading a short story and building on vocabulary and articulation.
- Writing (15 min): Q and A sessions where I write your answers down and further discuss sentence structures and mistakes.
- Speaking (20 min): eloquently answering questions which are commonly asked in the exams.
-Listening (10 min): listening to an audio of a short story and answering questions.
The lesson plan varies according to your level of Dutch. Naturally, more advanced speakers focus on speaking and writing.
I always make sure I'm prepared before our lesson starts, so we can start right away and make the most of your time.
If you wish to have a well-organized and disciplined tutor who can help you achieve your goals and express yourself authentically - you can count on me!
I will make sure you're on track and every minute of your learning experience is valuable. Dutch is a pretty straight-forward language, and so am I - do ask me anything you'd like to know!
If you wish to have a well-organized and disciplined tutor who can help you achieve your goals and express yourself authentically - you can count on me!
I will make sure you're on track and every minute of your learning experience is valuable. Dutch is a pretty straight-forward language, and so am I - do ask me anything you'd like to know!
H. S.
Thanks to Job I feel more confident with the Dutch language. He has a lot of different materials to practice grammar, reading, speaking and writing. so far i did 20 lessons with Job and I will definitly continue. I recommend job as a tutor to everyone who wants to know the basics of language or need to prepare for exams.
Job D.
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I am a TEFL certified English language coach with experience in teaching both children and adults.
Although I am a non-native speaker, I have learned English since high school, and practicing it on a daily basis from then on.
I have over 30 years of working experience in several international companies on a high professional work and think level.
I am specialised in business conversation and practicing speaking skills on every possible level
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As non-native parents it is certainly not easy to teach your children Dutch or to help with the fluency of the new language. Who wants some extra exercise for his children? I can help you with that. As their vocabulary becomes more and more extensive and their sentences become increasingly fluid, your children will get more and more self-confident. To speak well the Dutch language will surely benefit them now and later.
Do your children need some help with their homework, especially with their Dutch, then I can help with that.
Even as non-native-speaking adults, it is sometimes difficult to have enough exercise. That is why also adults who want to make progress in speaking the Dutch language are welcome here! We can practice the everyday language together.
P. S.
Liesbet's teaching is progressive and adapted to the level of the student. His working method is very efficient, dynamic and focused on areas for improvement. The material used is varied: texts, videos, grammar exercises, pronunciation and vocabularies (synonyms, antonyms, nuances, etc.). The lessons are always different and never look like. Punctuality and seriousness. I highly recommend.
Liesbet L.
Do you want to improve your Dutch for work and daily life in the Netherlands? I help young expats enhance their Dutch skills, so you can speak and write with more confidence. Not because you have to, but because you want to! My lessons are practical and focused on what you truly need, whether you’re a beginner or already at a higher level.
What you can expect:
Lessons for beginners to advanced learners (B2 to C1), with a methodical and structured approach
Exercises that fit your work and life in the Netherlands
Focus on building confidence and keeping your self-respect, as you find your place as a new resident
Long-term collaboration, aimed at lasting progress and making the most of your new country
In my lessons, you’ll not only learn the language but also how to communicate your unique value and fully use the opportunities in your new home. This way, you’ll get to know the Netherlands better and make your own special contribution!
Ready to improve your Dutch? Contact me and let’s explore the possibilities!
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Hello, my name is Michel and I'm a Dutch primary school language teacher. I lived in France for 7 years and I worked for an international school that is well known all over France. I moved to Madeira, Portugal and started to work as online Dutch language teacher 4 years ago. Teaching children and adults is my passion aswel as having fun with learning a new language.
My lessons are adapted to your level and due to my job and experience I have acces to teaching methodes to learn you the basics of the Dutch language or to improve your level. I can help you to improve your level of writing and speaking or help you learn your first words and phrases.
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Do you want to improve your Dutch for work and daily life in the Netherlands? I help young expats enhance their Dutch skills, so you can speak and write with more confidence. Not because you have to, but because you want to! My lessons are practical and focused on what you truly need, whether you’re a beginner or already at a higher level.
What you can expect:
Lessons for beginners to advanced learners (B2 to C1), with a methodical and structured approach
Exercises that fit your work and life in the Netherlands
Focus on building confidence and keeping your self-respect, as you find your place as a new resident
Long-term collaboration, aimed at lasting progress and making the most of your new country
In my lessons, you’ll not only learn the language but also how to communicate your unique value and fully use the opportunities in your new home. This way, you’ll get to know the Netherlands better and make your own special contribution!
Ready to improve your Dutch? Contact me and let’s explore the possibilities!
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Do you want to improve your Dutch for work and daily life in the Netherlands? I help young expats enhance their Dutch skills, so you can speak and write with more confidence. Not because you have to, but because you want to! My lessons are practical and focused on what you truly need, whether you’re a beginner or already at a higher level.
What you can expect:
Lessons for beginners to advanced learners (B2 to C1), with a methodical and structured approach
Exercises that fit your work and life in the Netherlands
Focus on building confidence and keeping your self-respect, as you find your place as a new resident
Long-term collaboration, aimed at lasting progress and making the most of your new country
In my lessons, you’ll not only learn the language but also how to communicate your unique value and fully use the opportunities in your new home. This way, you’ll get to know the Netherlands better and make your own special contribution!
Ready to improve your Dutch? Contact me and let’s explore the possibilities!
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I have extensive experience preparing students for DELE, SIELE, Bright, and CLOE exams, as well as general Spanish practice.
I specialize in helping students improve their Spanish pronunciation and grammar, assisting many in developing a more natural and fluid way of speaking.
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Thanks a lot for your review! Patrick is also a very attentive and motivated student. :)
Do you want to improve your Dutch for work and daily life in the Netherlands? I help young expats enhance their Dutch skills, so you can speak and write with more confidence. Not because you have to, but because you want to! My lessons are practical and focused on what you truly need, whether you’re a beginner or already at a higher level.
What you can expect:
Lessons for beginners to advanced learners (B2 to C1), with a methodical and structured approach
Exercises that fit your work and life in the Netherlands
Focus on building confidence and keeping your self-respect, as you find your place as a new resident
Long-term collaboration, aimed at lasting progress and making the most of your new country
In my lessons, you’ll not only learn the language but also how to communicate your unique value and fully use the opportunities in your new home. This way, you’ll get to know the Netherlands better and make your own special contribution!
Ready to improve your Dutch? Contact me and let’s explore the possibilities!
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Monique M.
My name is Job and Dutch is my native language.
I can help you with all the basics of speaking, reading and writing. I can also help you pass exams that require dutch, like your inburgeringscursus (NT2a or CNAVT). I can teach students from A1 up to B2 level. Also, I passed for my TEFL for the English language, so there will be no problem with explaining the Dutch language.
Discipline is the key to effective learning. I'm extremely organized, well-prepared for each of my lessons and I will never miss a single class. I have tons of study materials, which I hand out to my students after the class and customize lesson plans with.
Each learning objective is met by the end of the lesson. Grammar and a sufficient range of vocabulary are impossible to overlook, and I value it in my approach.
Dutch grammar can be tricky for non-native speakers. I go over concepts repeatedly until my students get the hang of it.
Why choose me as your tutor? I am:
--> Students passed for their exams with help of my lessons.
--> Organised; always prepared for every lesson.
--> Patient: we can continue as long as we need.
--> Friendly
--> Enthusiastic
--> Like meeting new people from the rest of the world.
My Methodology
My classes are normally up to one hour. It's possible to have longer lessons If you prefer this.
So far I have done over 1000+ lessons and gathered sufficient information that is useful in order to pass your exams or to get familiar with the language.
My materials comprise of speaking, writing, grammar, reading and listening. During our lessons we shall cover all of these aspects.
Here's a normal lesson plan with me if you're a beginner:
- Vocabulary (5 min): discussing new learned verbs.
- Pronounciation (10 min): reading a short story and building on vocabulary and articulation.
- Writing (15 min): Q and A sessions where I write your answers down and further discuss sentence structures and mistakes.
- Speaking (20 min): eloquently answering questions which are commonly asked in the exams.
-Listening (10 min): listening to an audio of a short story and answering questions.
The lesson plan varies according to your level of Dutch. Naturally, more advanced speakers focus on speaking and writing.
I always make sure I'm prepared before our lesson starts, so we can start right away and make the most of your time.
If you wish to have a well-organized and disciplined tutor who can help you achieve your goals and express yourself authentically - you can count on me!
I will make sure you're on track and every minute of your learning experience is valuable. Dutch is a pretty straight-forward language, and so am I - do ask me anything you'd like to know!
If you wish to have a well-organized and disciplined tutor who can help you achieve your goals and express yourself authentically - you can count on me!
I will make sure you're on track and every minute of your learning experience is valuable. Dutch is a pretty straight-forward language, and so am I - do ask me anything you'd like to know!
H. S.
Thanks to Job I feel more confident with the Dutch language. He has a lot of different materials to practice grammar, reading, speaking and writing. so far i did 20 lessons with Job and I will definitly continue. I recommend job as a tutor to everyone who wants to know the basics of language or need to prepare for exams.
Job D.
E. C.
We focused a lot on pronunciation of words and Linda was very helpful, particularly on all those Dutch sounds so difficult for foreigners!
Linda R.
Hi there
My name is Lieneke Jansen and I am 56 years old.
I am from a small country in Europe called the Netherlands
I am a TEFL certified English language coach with experience in teaching both children and adults.
Although I am a non-native speaker, I have learned English since high school, and practicing it on a daily basis from then on.
I have over 30 years of working experience in several international companies on a high professional work and think level.
I am specialised in business conversation and practicing speaking skills on every possible level
Looking forward to meet you as my student.
N. E.
Miss Lien is a wonderful teacher. She teaches Dutch to my 10 year old son. She takes the time to tailor each lesson to his needs and she is also lovely. My kid loves her lessons. 100% recommended.
Lieneke J.
As non-native parents it is certainly not easy to teach your children Dutch or to help with the fluency of the new language. Who wants some extra exercise for his children? I can help you with that. As their vocabulary becomes more and more extensive and their sentences become increasingly fluid, your children will get more and more self-confident. To speak well the Dutch language will surely benefit them now and later.
Do your children need some help with their homework, especially with their Dutch, then I can help with that.
Even as non-native-speaking adults, it is sometimes difficult to have enough exercise. That is why also adults who want to make progress in speaking the Dutch language are welcome here! We can practice the everyday language together.
P. S.
Liesbet's teaching is progressive and adapted to the level of the student. His working method is very efficient, dynamic and focused on areas for improvement. The material used is varied: texts, videos, grammar exercises, pronunciation and vocabularies (synonyms, antonyms, nuances, etc.). The lessons are always different and never look like. Punctuality and seriousness. I highly recommend.
Liesbet L.