Diminutives are forms of a word that show smallness or endearment and are much more common in Dutch (especially spoken Dutch) than in English. All diminutives in Dutch are formed by adding -je to the noun, and all are neuter nouns and form the plural by adding -s.
kindje little child
neusje little nose
schaapje little sheep
Nouns endings in a vowel, y, w or j; nouns that contain a long vowel or diphthong followed by r, l, or n; and nouns ending in unstressed -er, -el, and -en add -tje to form the diminutive.
eitje little egg
beentje little leg
dekentje little blanket
Nouns containing a short vowel followed by r, l, n, m, or ng add -etje.
balletje little ball
stemmetje little voice
Nouns ending in unstressed -ing drop the final -g and add -kje.
verrassinkje little surprise
Nouns ending in -m add -pje (unless m is preceded by short stressed vowel.)
bezempje little broom
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