One reliable rule in Dutch is that all diminutives use "het" as their article.
Diminutives are formed by adding -je, -tje, -pje, or -etje to a noun, making it smaller or cuter.
For example:
- "de hond" (the dog) becomes "het hondje" (the little dog)
- "de boom" (the tree) becomes "het boompje" (the little tree)
- "de tafel" (the table) becomes "het tafeltje" (the little table)
This is one of the most reliable rules in Dutch grammar!
| Word | Article | Translation |
|---|---|---|
| hondje | het | little dog |
| huisje | het | little house |
| boekje | het | little book |
| meisje | het | girl |
| kindje | het | little child |