Morphemes
The pieces Dutch words are built from (prefixes, stems, suffixes), each listed with every word from my lessons that uses it.
| Part | Kind | Meaning | Words |
|---|---|---|---|
| be- | prefix | turns action towards a target | 13 |
| ver- | prefix | change of state | 11 |
| -ing | suffix | turns verb into action noun | 8 |
| -ig | suffix | having, characterised by | 7 |
| -lijk | suffix | like / having the quality of | 7 |
| dag | stem | day | 7 |
| al | stem | already, all, every | 6 |
| ge- | prefix | makes noun from verb stem | 6 |
| -end | suffix | -ing (present participle) | 4 |
| -s | suffix | language or origin of | 4 |
| af- | prefix | completion, finality, or down/off | 4 |
| daar | stem | there / that (in compounds) | 4 |
| geef | stem | give | 4 |
| lief | stem | dear, sweet, loving | 4 |
| op- | prefix | up, onto, imposing | 4 |
| spreek | stem | speak | 4 |
| voor- | prefix | before, in advance | 4 |
| -er | suffix | person from / inhabitant | 3 |
| -je | suffix | diminutive (little, a bit) | 3 |
| bij | stem | by, near, at | 3 |
| door- | prefix | through, continuing on | 3 |
| ga | stem | go, move | 3 |
| ken | stem | know | 3 |
| kom | stem | come, arrive | 3 |
| land | stem | country / land | 3 |
| meer | stem | more | 3 |
| nieuw | stem | new | 3 |
| stem | stem | voice or vote | 3 |
| voor | stem | in front of, before | 3 |
| waar | stem | where, in what place | 3 |
| -aal | suffix | relating to, matching | 2 |
| -d | suffix | past participle / state adjective | 2 |
| -der | suffix | comparative marker | 2 |
| -icus | suffix | expert or practitioner in | 2 |
| -st | suffix | -est / most (superlative) | 2 |
| -t | suffix | makes noun from verb stem | 2 |
| ander | stem | other, different | 2 |
| avond | stem | evening | 2 |
| buiten | stem | outside | 2 |
| denk | stem | think | 2 |
| draag | stem | to carry, to bear | 2 |
| een | stem | one (historically from 'al-een') | 2 |
| eet | stem | eat | 2 |
| gader | stem | together, gather (archaic root) | 2 |
| ge-…-t | circumfix | past participle circumfix | 2 |
| heel | stem | whole, entire, intact | 2 |
| huis | stem | house, home | 2 |
| kies | stem | choose, elect | 2 |
| laat | stem | let, leave, allow | 2 |
| leer | stem | to learn or teach | 2 |
| maak | stem | make | 2 |
| maal | stem | time, occasion | 2 |
| maan | stem | moon | 2 |
| na | stem | near, close (older sense) | 2 |
| natuur | stem | nature | 2 |
| ochtend | stem | morning | 2 |
| om | stem | around / because of | 2 |
| partij | stem | party, faction, batch, match | 2 |
| plan | stem | plan, intention, or scheme | 2 |
| regeer | stem | to rule, to govern | 2 |
| reis | stem | travel, journey | 2 |
| tel | stem | count; originally also: recount | 2 |
| van- | prefix | of / this (current time) | 2 |
| vriend | stem | friend (male or general) | 2 |
| wens | stem | wish, desire | 2 |
| werk | stem | work | 2 |
| woon | stem | live, reside, dwell | 2 |
| woord | stem | word | 2 |
| zoek | stem | seek, search, look for | 2 |
| zuinig | stem | thrifty, economical | 2 |
| -atie | suffix | makes an action noun | 1 |
| -baar | suffix | having or capable of (like -ful/-able) | 1 |
| -d/-t | pattern | Past participles ending in -d or -t are frequently used as adjectives to describe a resulting state or feeling. | 1 |
| -de | suffix | forms abstract noun | 1 |
| -de / -te | pattern | Added to adjectives to form abstract nouns expressing a quality or state (-de after voiced sounds, -te after voiceless). | 1 |
| -eer | suffix | forms verbs from foreign stems | 1 |
| -ees | suffix | originating from, language or person | 1 |
| -en | suffix | historical noun-forming suffix | 1 |
| -ent | suffix | person who does the action | 1 |
| -heid | suffix | state or quality (-ness, -ity) | 1 |
| -in | suffix | makes a noun female | 1 |
| -ing-s- | pattern | Nouns ending in '-ing' almost always take a linking '-s-' when placed at the front of a compound noun. | 1 |
| -ings- + noun | pattern | Nouns ending in -ing always take a linking -s- when placed first in a compound word. | 1 |
| -isch | suffix | makes adjectives: relating to, -ic | 1 |
| -je / -tje | pattern | Adding the diminutive suffix -je or -tje to a verb infinitive creates a countable het-noun for a casual social activity or instance of that action. | 1 |
| -rijk | suffix | rich in, full of | 1 |
| -tal | suffix | number, group of | 1 |
| -te | suffix | forms abstract noun from adjective | 1 |
| -tje | suffix | diminutive (makes it an event) | 1 |
| -us | suffix | male person or specialist (Latin) | 1 |
| -zaam | suffix | tending to, capable of | 1 |
| aan | stem | on / to / at | 1 |
| aan- | prefix | on, onto, towards | 1 |
| adj + maken | pattern | Combine an adjective with 'maken' to create a separable verb meaning 'to make [adjective]'. | 1 |
| advies | stem | advice, counsel | 1 |
| al- | pattern | 'al-' combines with adverbs or adjectives to form compounds expressing 'already' or completeness. | 1 |
| ant- | prefix | against, back, in return | 1 |
| augustus | stem | August (eighth month of the year) | 1 |
| baan | stem | track, path, or job | 1 |
| bang | stem | afraid, scared | 1 |
| be-…-d | circumfix | having or made into | 1 |
| be-…-d/t | circumfix | Wrapping a noun in be- and -d/-t creates an adjective meaning 'covered or equipped with [noun]'. | 1 |
| beeld | stem | image / picture | 1 |
| beet | stem | bite, morsel | 1 |
| belang | stem | importance, interest | 1 |
| bereid | stem | to make ready, willing | 1 |
| best | stem | best; here: quite, pretty | 1 |
| bier | stem | beer | 1 |
| bij- | prefix | with, in addition | 1 |
| binnen | stem | inside, indoors, within | 1 |
| binnen- | prefix | inside, in | 1 |
| blij | stem | happy, glad, joyful | 1 |
| blijv | stem | stay, remain | 1 |
| bloem | stem | flower | 1 |
| boek | stem | book | 1 |
| bos | stem | bunch, bundle (de); forest (het) | 1 |
| brug | stem | bridge | 1 |
| bruin | stem | brown | 1 |
| campagne | stem | campaign | 1 |
| centr | stem | center, middle point | 1 |
| chemie | stem | chemistry | 1 |
| china | stem | country in East Asia | 1 |
| coach | stem | coach, trainer, advisor | 1 |
| daar + preposition | pattern | 'daar-' combines with a preposition to replace 'dat' + preposition (meaning 'about/for/with that'). | 1 |
| daar- | pattern | In Dutch, 'dat' (that) plus a preposition merges into 'daar-' plus that preposition to refer to things. | 1 |
| daar- + preposition | pattern | Combine 'daar-' with a preposition to replace 'preposition + dat' (e.g., na dat -> daarna). | 1 |
| dame | stem | lady | 1 |
| dan | stem | then, at that time | 1 |
| dank | stem | thanks, gratitude | 1 |
| datum | stem | date (calendar day) | 1 |
| ding | stem | thing, object, matter | 1 |
| discussie | stem | discussion, debate | 1 |
| doe | stem | do, make | 1 |
| doel | stem | target, goal, aim | 1 |
| dorp | stem | village | 1 |
| drank | stem | drink / beverage / alcohol | 1 |
| drijf | stem | drive, carry on, float | 1 |
| duizel | stem | dizziness, daze (archaic root) | 1 |
| durf | stem | dare, have courage | 1 |
| dutch | stem | Dutch (English loanword; native: Duits) | 1 |
| echt | stem | real, genuine, truly | 1 |
| eer | stem | early / before | 1 |
| eigen | stem | own | 1 |
| einde | stem | end | 1 |
| elf | stem | eleven | 1 |
| erg | stem | bad, severe; very | 1 |
| even | stem | just, briefly, or equally | 1 |
| extra | stem | additional, especially, extra | 1 |
| ge-…-d | circumfix | past participle marker (used as adjective) | 1 |
| ge-…-d/t | circumfix | Past participles of verbs are often used directly as adjectives describing the resulting state (literally 'wrapped in' -> 'complicated'). | 1 |
| ge-…-en | circumfix | past participle marker (completed action) | 1 |
| ge-…-t/d | circumfix | Past participles of verbs are regularly used directly as adjectives to describe a resulting state (here from 'opluchten', to relieve). | 1 |
| geld | stem | count, apply, have value | 1 |
| gelijk | stem | equal, same, right | 1 |
| geluk | stem | luck, happiness | 1 |
| genoeg | stem | enough, sufficient | 1 |
| gezel | stem | companion, mate | 1 |
| gin | stem | to begin, open up (bound stem) | 1 |
| gisteren | stem | yesterday | 1 |
| glas | stem | glass (material or drinking vessel) | 1 |
| goed | stem | good, well | 1 |
| graag | stem | gladly, willingly, with pleasure | 1 |
| grijp | stem | grab, grasp, seize | 1 |
| groep | stem | group, cluster | 1 |
| groot | stem | big, large, great | 1 |
| half | stem | half (equal of two parts) | 1 |
| hart | stem | heart | 1 |
| heb | stem | to have | 1 |
| heen | stem | away, to a place | 1 |
| heim | stem | home (originally private to home) | 1 |
| helder | stem | clear, bright | 1 |
| help | stem | help, assist | 1 |
| her- | prefix | again, back | 1 |
| het + verb stem | pattern | Use the bare stem of a verb as a 'het' noun to name the action or its result (e.g., bedrijven → het bedrijf). | 1 |
| het <verb-stem> | pattern | Many verbs starting with 'be-' or 'ver-' can drop '-en' to become a 'het' noun describing the action or its result. | 1 |
| hier | stem | here, in this place | 1 |
| hoe | stem | how / in what way | 1 |
| hoofd | stem | head, main part, leader | 1 |
| hoop | stem | hope, wish for | 1 |
| houd | stem | hold, keep (with 'van': love) | 1 |
| import | stem | bringing goods from abroad | 1 |
| in- | prefix | in / into | 1 |
| inner | stem | inside, internal (historical) | 1 |
| job | stem | job, employment (English loan) | 1 |
| jong | stem | young | 1 |
| kamer | stem | room, chamber | 1 |
| keer | stem | turn, time, occasion | 1 |
| kijk | stem | look, watch | 1 |
| klaar | stem | ready, finished, or clear | 1 |
| klets | stem | chat, talk, splash | 1 |
| klop | stem | knock, beat, or be correct | 1 |
| koffer | stem | suitcase, trunk | 1 |
| koop | stem | buy, purchase | 1 |
| krijg | stem | get, receive (historically: strive) | 1 |
| kroeg | stem | pub, traditional bar | 1 |
| kun | stem | to be able to | 1 |
| kwartier | stem | quarter of an hour; district | 1 |
| kwijt | stem | lost, gone, rid of | 1 |
| last | stem | burden, trouble, load | 1 |
| lekker | stem | tasty, pleasant, nice | 1 |
| les | stem | lesson, class | 1 |
| leuk | stem | nice, fun, pleasant | 1 |
| lever | stem | to deliver, supply | 1 |
| lid | stem | limb, member, part | 1 |
| lijd | stem | to pass (originally: to go) | 1 |
| lijk | stem | body, form, shape | 1 |
| logistiek | stem | logistics | 1 |
| lokaal | stem | local | 1 |
| loof | stem | praise, vow, trust | 1 |
| loop | stem | walk, run | 1 |
| los | stem | loose, free | 1 |
| lucht | stem | air, or to air/vent | 1 |
| macho | stem | exaggeratedly masculine man | 1 |
| medic | stem | medical, healing (Latin root) | 1 |
| meerder | stem | more, several, greater | 1 |
| meest | stem | most (superlative of veel) | 1 |
| meid | stem | maid, young woman | 1 |
| mens | stem | human being, person | 1 |
| mid | stem | middle | 1 |
| min | stem | little, slight, or minus | 1 |
| misschien | stem | maybe, perhaps | 1 |
| moei | stem | trouble, effort, bother | 1 |
| moet | stem | must, have to | 1 |
| moment | stem | moment, short period of time | 1 |
| moog | stem | may, to be allowed, to like | 1 |
| mooi | stem | beautiful, pretty, nice | 1 |
| morgen | stem | tomorrow / morning | 1 |
| muziek | stem | music | 1 |
| na- | prefix | after, thoroughly, or checking | 1 |
| naam | stem | name | 1 |
| neder | stem | low / down | 1 |
| neem | stem | to take | 1 |
| net | stem | just (a moment ago), exactly | 1 |
| niet | stem | not (negation) | 1 |
| nog | stem | still, yet, or even | 1 |
| norm | stem | standard, rule, norm | 1 |
| noun + -en | pattern | Adding the infinitive ending -en directly to a noun often creates a verb meaning 'to produce or use that noun'. | 1 |
| noun + -s- + noun | pattern | Combine two nouns with a linking -s- (especially after -ing) so the first noun specifies the type of the second. | 1 |
| noun + noun | pattern | In Dutch compounds, the last noun sets the main meaning and gender (het gesprek), while the first noun specifies the type (de sollicitatie). | 1 |
| nu | stem | now, at this moment | 1 |
| oktober | stem | October, tenth month | 1 |
| om- | prefix | around, surrounding | 1 |
| on- | prefix | not, un- | 1 |
| ook | stem | also, too | 1 |
| op | stem | on, up | 1 |
| pak | stem | grab, pack, or package | 1 |
| past participle as adjective | pattern | Past participles formed with ge-…-t or ge-…-d are very often used directly as adjectives describing a state or mood. | 1 |
| periode | stem | period of time | 1 |
| pizza | stem | pizza (Italian loanword) | 1 |
| plat | stem | flat | 1 |
| polit | stem | state, politics, or public affairs | 1 |
| politiek | stem | politics | 1 |
| praat | stem | talk, chat | 1 |
| probleem | stem | problem, difficulty | 1 |
| raar | stem | strange, weird, odd | 1 |
| recht | stem | prepare, set right (from richten) | 1 |
| restaurant | stem | restaurant (French loanword) | 1 |
| roman | stem | novel, romance, romantic story | 1 |
| rood | stem | red | 1 |
| rust | stem | rest, peace, calm | 1 |
| ruzie | stem | quarrel, argument | 1 |
| samen | stem | together, jointly | 1 |
| samen- | prefix | together, jointly | 1 |
| scheid | stem | separate, part | 1 |
| schijn | stem | seem, appear, appearance | 1 |
| schil | stem | to differ, vary | 1 |
| school | stem | school | 1 |
| separable verb | pattern | Prepositions like 'voor' or 'tegen' attach to verbs to create separable verbs where the prefix carries the main stress. | 1 |
| sier | stem | ornament, beauty | 1 |
| simpel | stem | simple, easy | 1 |
| slaap | stem | sleep | 1 |
| slag | stem | strike, blow (from slaan) | 1 |
| slecht | stem | bad, poor | 1 |
| smaak | stem | taste, flavour | 1 |
| snel | stem | fast, quick, quickly | 1 |
| sollicitatie | stem | job application | 1 |
| solliciteer | stem | apply for a job | 1 |
| sommig | stem | some, certain | 1 |
| span | stem | stretch, tense, tighten | 1 |
| speel | stem | play | 1 |
| spraak | stem | speech, speaking (from spreken) | 1 |
| sta | stem | stand, be upright | 1 |
| stad | stem | city, town | 1 |
| station | stem | station (stopping place) | 1 |
| stel | stem | put, place, set | 1 |
| stil | stem | quiet, silent, or motionless | 1 |
| stockholm | stem | capital city of Sweden | 1 |
| studeer | stem | to study | 1 |
| succes | stem | success, good luck | 1 |
| summer | stem | summer (English loanword; Dutch: zomer) | 1 |
| te- | prefix | at, in (forms adverbs) | 1 |
| tegen- | prefix | against, towards, opposite | 1 |
| terras | stem | terrace, patio, outdoor seating area | 1 |
| terug | stem | back, in return | 1 |
| tijd | stem | time, period | 1 |
| tip | stem | piece of advice, hint | 1 |
| toch | stem | yet, still, after all (modal particle) | 1 |
| toe- | prefix | to, towards (separable prefix) | 1 |
| toen | stem | then (at that past time) | 1 |
| train | stem | to train / practice | 1 |
| troost | stem | comfort, consolation | 1 |
| uit- | prefix | out, outward | 1 |
| vaak | stem | often, frequently | 1 |
| val | stem | fall | 1 |
| van | stem | of, from | 1 |
| vast | stem | fixed, for sure | 1 |
| vat | stem | catch, grasp, hold | 1 |
| veel | stem | much, many, a lot | 1 |
| ver | stem | far, distant | 1 |
| verbaas | stem | to amaze, to astonish | 1 |
| verdriet | stem | sadness, grief | 1 |
| verveel | stem | to bore or annoy | 1 |
| vind | stem | find, consider, think | 1 |
| vlucht | stem | flight / escape | 1 |
| vol | stem | full | 1 |
| volg | stem | to follow | 1 |
| vraag | stem | ask, question | 1 |
| vreemd | stem | strange, foreign, unfamiliar | 1 |
| vrij | stem | Freya (goddess); looks like 'free' | 1 |
| vro- | stem | old root meaning 'glad, joyful' | 1 |
| vroeg | stem | early | 1 |
| waar- + preposition | pattern | Combine 'waar' with a preposition to ask 'for/about/with what' (pronominal adverbs). | 1 |
| wacht | stem | wait, watch | 1 |
| week | stem | week (period of seven days) | 1 |
| weer | stem | again, back | 1 |
| weet | stem | know (a fact) | 1 |
| wek | stem | to wake or arouse | 1 |
| wel | stem | well, indeed, contrary to 'not' | 1 |
| wikkel | stem | wrap / wind | 1 |
| wil | stem | want, wish, will | 1 |
| wodka | stem | vodka (Slavic loanword) | 1 |
| woens | stem | Wodan's (Germanic god Odin) | 1 |
| wolk | stem | cloud | 1 |
| word | stem | become; passive auxiliary | 1 |
| zaal | stem | hall, large room, auditorium | 1 |
| zeg | stem | say, tell | 1 |
| zeker | stem | certain, sure, definitely | 1 |
| zie | stem | see | 1 |
| zij | stem | be, exist | 1 |
| zin | stem | mind, thought, sense | 1 |
| zit | stem | sit, be located | 1 |
| zo | stem | so / like this | 1 |
| zorg | stem | care, worry | 1 |
| zul | stem | shall / will (future or obligation) | 1 |
| zweed | stem | Swede (person from Sweden) | 1 |