Word Endings That Use "De"

Many Dutch words can be identified as "de" words by their endings. Learning these patterns will help you predict the correct article in many cases.

Words ending in these suffixes always use "de":

- Words ending in -ing: de vergadering, de opleiding, de overheiding

- Words ending in -ij: de bakkerij, de bibliotheek, de maatschappij

- Words ending in -heid: de waarheid, de vrijheid, de gezondheid

- Words ending in -ie: de politie, de democratie, de energie

- Words ending in -er (professions/tools): de bakker, de leraar, de computer

- Words ending in -aar: de bibliothecaris, de ambtenaar

Additional endings that use "de":

- Words ending in -ade: de limonade, de marmelade, de brigade

- Words ending in -ede: de vrede, de dwarsdoorsnede

- Words ending in -ide: de piramide, de oxide

- Words ending in -ode: de methode, de episode

- Words ending in -ude: de attitude, de amplitude

These patterns are very reliable and will help you identify most "de" words correctly!