Words with a diaeresis

What is a trema (diaeresis) in Dutch?

In Dutch you sometimes see two dots on a vowel: ë or ï. This is called a trema (in English: diaeresis).

The trema tells you: stop the vowel combination and pronounce both vowels separately.

• België = Bel-gi-e (3 syllables)
• Belgie looks like Bel-gie (2 syllables) → wrong in Dutch spelling

Core rule: trema in a vowel clash (klinkerbotsing)

You write a trema when two vowels meet and could be read as one sound, but you need them as two sounds.

• This happens inside a word.
• It often happens when you add a suffix (ending) that starts with a vowel.

Where does the trema go?

The trema goes on the second vowel of the two that clash.

• België → i + e → trema on e
• poëzie → o + e → trema on e
• reëel → e + e → trema on the second e
• coördinatie → o + o → trema on the second o
• mozaïek → a + i → trema on i
• egoïstisch → o + i → trema on i

Think: “Two vowels in a row? Put the dots on the second one.”

Typical places where you need a trema

You often need a trema when:

1. The stem ends in a vowel and you add a vowel-initial ending.
   • reëel (re- + eel)
   • egoïstisch (ego + istisch)
2. You form a longer word and two vowels from different parts meet.
   • coördinatie (co + ordinatie)
   • mozaïek (moza + iek)
3. Borrowed words / names where Dutch keeps the separation of vowels.
   • België
   • Poëzie

Trema or not? A quick decision guide

Use this step-by-step check when you write.

1. Do you see two vowels next to each other?
   • No → no trema.
   • Yes → go to step 2.
2. Are they one normal Dutch vowel sound?
   (for example: aa, ee, oo, uu, eu, ie, oe, ei, ij, ou, au)
   • Yes → no trema (this is a regular vowel or diphthong).
   • No / you want 2 syllables → go to step 3.
3. Do you need to hear two separate vowel sounds?
   • Yes → write a trema on the second vowel.
   • No / not sure → check a dictionary; at A1, only a small set of common words use a trema.

Compare: with and without trema

Notice how the meaning and pronunciation change.

Common small questions

• Is a trema about stress?
  No. It does not show stress. It only shows that two vowels are separate sounds.
• Is it the same as an umlaut in German?
  No. In Dutch here it is a spelling mark, not a new vowel like ä/ö/ü.
• Can I write the word without trema in informal texts?
  In correct Dutch spelling you should always write the trema, also in emails and reports.

Self-check: can you do this now?

Go through these quick checks mentally.

1. Can you explain in one sentence why Dutch uses a trema?
2. Can you say on which vowel the trema goes in Belgie, poezie, reel?
3. If you see a new word like coordinatie, can you decide: trema or not, and where?

If you can answer these, you are ready to focus on speaking and using these words in conversation.