Dutch Spelling Basics
In Dutch grammar, some basic spelling rules are applied to the plurals of nouns, conjugations of verbs,
and inflections of adjectives. By learning and applying these simple rules, you can avoid beginner's mistakes.
Single and Double Letter Long Vowels
The long vowels /aa/, /ee/, /oo/, and /uu/ are written with two letters in a closed syllable and with a single letter
in an open syllable.
- Open syllable: a syllable that ends in a vowel, e.g. de, ei, moe, mooi.
- Closed syllable: a syllable that ends in a consonant, e.g. bal, kop, baan, boek.
Application to the Plurals of Nouns
| Singular |
Plural |
| naam |
namen |
| keel |
kelen |
| oor |
oren |
| uur |
uren |
Application to the Inflection of Adjectives
| Adjective |
Inflection |
| laag |
lage bloeddruk |
| geel |
de gele mantel |
| groot |
de grote prijs |
| duur |
dure wijn |
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Application to the Conjugation of Verbs
| First Person Singular |
First Person Plural |
| ik haal |
we halen |
| ik heet |
we heten |
| ik woon |
we wonen |
| ik huur |
we huren |
Exception: u before w
The long vowel /uu/ is written with a single letter before the consonant w, even in a closed syllable.
Example: Plurals of Nouns
| Singular |
Plural |
| schaduw |
schaduwen |
Example: Conjugation of Verbs
| First Person Singular |
First Person Plural |
| ik huw |
we huwen |
| ik duw |
we duwen |
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Doubling the Consonant at the End of a Closed Syllable
A consonant is doubled after a short vowel, if the consonant is followed by an unstressed syllable.
This rule applies to the consonants b, d, f, g, k, l, m, n, p, r, s, t, z, and c (pronounced as /k/) and to the
short vowels /a/, /e/, /i/, /o/, /u/.
- Closed syllable: a syllable that ends in a consonant, e.g. bal, kop, baan, boek.
Application to the plurals of nouns
| Singular |
Plural |
| nek |
nekken |
| lip |
lippen |
| adres |
adressen |
Application to the Inflection of Adjectives
| Adjective |
Inflection |
| stil |
stille motoren |
| fris |
frisse salade |
Application to the Conjugation of Verbs
| First Person Singular |
First Person Plural |
| ik stap |
we stappen |
| ik gok |
we gokken |
| ik vat |
we vatten |
| ik gom |
we gommen |
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Exceptions
Some consonants in plurals of nouns, inflections of adjectives, and conjugations of verbs
that end in an unstressed -el, -es, -et, -ig, -ik, -il, -it, -em.
Example: the Plural of a Noun
| Singular |
Plural |
| appel |
appelen |
Example: Inflection of Adjectives
| Adjective |
Inflection |
| edel |
edele metalen |
Example: Conjugation of Verbs
| First Person Singular |
First Person Plural |
| ik wandel |
we wandelen |
| ik wijzig |
we wijzigen |
| ik adem |
we ademen |
Double consonants are not written at the end of a word.
This rule is applied to the third singular form of some verbs in simple present.
| Infinitive |
First Person Singular |
Third Person Singular |
| vatten |
ik vat |
hij vat (not vatt) |
| heten |
ik heet |
hij heet (not heett) |
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V or z is not written at the end of a syllable.
V is replaced with f. Z is replaced with s.
Application to the Plurals of Nouns
| Singular |
Plural |
| neus |
neuzen |
| initiatief |
initiatieven |
Application to the Inflection of Adjectives
| Adjective |
Inflection |
| grijs |
een grijze auto |
| positief |
positieve eigenschappen |
Application to the Conjugation of Verbs
| First Person Singular |
First Person Plural |
| ik leef |
we leven |
| ik verlies |
we verliezen |
Conclusion
These are the most basic, must-know spelling rules of the Dutch grammar. Neither these rules, nor the exceptions
mentioned in the article are exhaustive. Nevertheless, they are a good starting point for the serious Dutch
language learner.
You can practice the applications of these rules with 1300+ free exercises in our quizzes.
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Published on Friday, October 18, 2013. Updated on Thursday, October 24, 2019.
Resource: http://woordenlijst.org/leidraad/