Compound nouns

What are Dutch compound nouns?

• A compound noun (samengesteld zelfstandig naamwoord) is one new word made from two or more nouns.
• In Dutch you write them as one word:
  de boerderij + de deur → de boerderijdeur
• The last part decides the gender (de/het) and singular/plural meaning:

Tip: Think: “The last word carries the grammar.”

Always write Dutch compounds as one word

• Dutch prefers one long word, not two separate words.
• In English you often write two words: village square → Dutch: dorpsplein.

Self-check: If in English you would say “X NOUN of/for NOUN”, in Dutch you probably need one compound word.

Three main types of compound nouns

Look at the “middle” between the two parts.

1. No linking sound
   boerderij + deur → boerderijdeur
   deur + bel → deurbel
2. Linking -s
   dorp + plein → dorpsplein
   varken + stal → varkensstal
3. Linking -en
   hond + hok → hondenhok
   paard + wei → paardenwei

These extra sounds (-s, -en) are called the linking element (tussenklank).

How do I know: no ending, -s or -en?

There is no 100% rule. Dutch has many fixed combinations you simply learn. But these guidelines help at A2-level:

• Learn high-frequency words as a whole:
  dorpsplein, dorpsschool, dorpsbewoner, varkensstal, paardenwei, hondenhok, kippenhok
• If the first word is often a plural in -en, you often get -en in the compound:
  hond – honden → hondenhok
  paard – paarden → paardenwei
• If the first word sounds better with an -s, Dutch often chooses -s:
  dorp → dorpsplein, dorpsstraat, dorpshuis

Good strategy: At this level, focus less on inventing new forms and more on recognising and copying common compounds correctly.

Meaning: is it singular or plural inside the compound?

The form inside the compound does not always tell you if it is really plural.

• Think: the -en or -s here is mainly a sound/link, not a clear plural marker.
• To say how many animals there are, you use a separate word in the sentence:
  Er staan veel varkens in de varkensstal.

Step-by-step: build a compound noun

1. Find the core idea
   What is the main object? That is usually the last word.
   Example: a meadow for horses → main object = wei.
2. Put the “detail” in front
   What kind of meadow? A horse meadow → paard + wei.
3. Choose the linking form (for now: copy common patterns)
   Horses are usually paarden → Dutch uses: paardenwei.
4. Write it as one word
   paarden wei → paardenwei.

Self-check question: “Can I say this naturally as two separate nouns?” If not, you probably need a compound.

Typical mistakes English speakers make

• Writing two words instead of one
  deur bel → deurbel
  boerderij deur → boerderijdeur
• Adding an extra -e at the end
  paardenweie → paardenwei
  dorpspleine → dorpsplein
• Inventing a wrong linking sound
  dorpenschool → dorpsschool
  boerderijkamping → boerderijcamping

Safe approach: When in doubt, look the word up and memorise the whole compound.

Quick checklist: Is my compound noun correct?

• ✔ Do I write it as one word?
• ✔ Is the last part the main object (door, plein, wei, stal, hok, hotel, …)?
• ✔ Did I copy the form I have seen in texts or dictionary (no improvised -s or -en)?
• ✔ Did I avoid an extra -e at the end (paardenweie, dorpspleine)?

If you can answer “yes” to these questions, your compound is probably correct enough for A2 level.

What should you pay attention to and learn now?

• Recognise common compounds about the countryside and daily life:
  boerderijdeur, deurbel, dorpsplein, dorpsschool, dorpsbewoner, paardenwei, varkensstal, hondenhok, kippenhok, natuurhotel, boerderijcamping.
• Copy the spelling exactly: one word, correct -s or -en, no extra -e.
• Use them actively in your own sentences when talking about plans, holidays, work, etc.

If you can do this, you can follow most A2-level conversations with compound nouns and use them confidently yourself.