The -je family
The diminutive adds -je (with spelling variants).
| Word ends in | Add | Example |
|---|---|---|
| most consonants | -je | huis → huisje |
| -m | -pje | boom → boompje |
| a vowel | -tje | auto → autootje |
| -ng | -etje | ding → dingetje |
Every diminutive takes het and pluralizes with -s.
Beyond size, the diminutive softens or shows fondness.