01
niederländisch
Dutch
Relating to the Netherlands, its inhabitants, its language, or its culture.
example
Der niederländische Maler Rembrandt ist weltberühmt.
The Dutch painter Rembrandt is world-famous.
niederländisch
Dutch
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Meanings
Usage tips
Word structure
The word is derived from 'die Niederlande' (the Netherlands). This name literally means 'the low lands' and describes the country's flat geography, which is partly below sea level.
EXAMPLE
Die niederländische Landschaft ist bekannt für ihre Windmühlen und Tulpenfelder.
The Dutch landscape is known for its windmills and tulip fields.
Capitalization
Like other adjectives, 'niederländisch' (Dutch) is written in lowercase in German. Proper names are an exception: if it is part of an official name, it is capitalized.
EXAMPLE
Ich lerne gerade die niederländische Sprache.
I am currently learning the Dutch language.
Typical collocations
Common combinations are 'die niederländische Küste' (the Dutch coast), 'niederländischer Käse' (Dutch cheese), or 'die niederländische Königsfamilie' (the Dutch royal family).
EXAMPLE
Im Urlaub haben wir leckeren niederländischen Käse gegessen.
On vacation, we ate delicious Dutch cheese.
Compare with
niederländisch vs belgisch
Belgian
'niederländisch' and 'belgisch' refer to two different countries. 'niederländisch' fits the Netherlands, its inhabitants, its culture, or its language. 'belgisch' fits Belgium, its inhabitants, and its culture. Learners may confuse the words because the countries are neighbors and there is linguistic and cultural closeness. Still, 'niederländisch' does not automatically mean 'belgisch'. If you are talking about the country of the Netherlands, use 'niederländisch'. If you are talking about Belgium, use 'belgisch'.
niederländisch
Mila lernt niederländisch, weil sie nächstes Jahr in Amsterdam studieren möchte.
Mila is learning Dutch because she wants to study in Amsterdam next year.
belgisch
Auf dem Markt hat Tom belgische Schokolade für seine Eltern gekauft.
At the market, Tom bought Belgian chocolate for his parents.
In real life
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