Language/Dutch/Grammar/Adjectives

Adjectives in Dutch (Dutch: Bijvoeglijke naamwoorden/Adjectieven) can be placed before the noun or after the noun, just like in English. When the adjective is placed after the noun (mostly using a verb like zijn (to be)), or when the adjective relates to another adjective, it is called an adverb (Dutch: Bijwoord).

The following examples are all adjectives and no adverbs!

De grote auto - The big car (This is the regular form, comes from the word "groot", and since it has two o's, only one appears in the adjective form. At the end of the word an "e" is added) Het gouden harnas - The golden armor (This comes from the word "goud". When you're talking about a substance like gold, wood, stone,... you have to place "en" at the end of the word) De Noorse vrouwen - The Norwegian women (This comes from the word "Noors". When you're talking about a language or a nationality, the double vowel remains) Remark: When you're talking about superlatives, the following may occur: Jij bent de grootste jongen - You're the biggest boy (In the superlative, it's possible that the adjective has two consecutive vowels, which is not possible in the regular form)

Past participle used as an adjective (Voltooid deelwoord gebruikt als een bijvoeglijk naamwoord/adjectief

It is possible to use a past participle as an adjective, just like in English. However, there are some rules you have to follow.

De vergrote foto - The enlarged picture (This comes from the verb "vergroten", which only has one 't' in the infinitive, so also one 't' in the adjective form) De gegeven formules - The given formulas (This comes from the verb "geven", which is irregular. The past participle of "geven" is "gegeven", and there you have the adjective form) De afgelaste vergadering - The cancelled meeting (This comes from the verb "afgelasten", which only has one 't' in the infinitive, so also one 't' in the adjective form. Many Dutch people don't know the right infinitive of this word!) Het gewassen kleed - The washed dress (This comes from the verb "wassen", which has an irregular past participle, although the present tense of the verb is regular. If a verb has an irregular past participle, it is the same as the past participle used as an adjective)