Briefje

Briefje is a Dutch noun meaning a small written note or message. It is a diminutive form of brief, from the word for letter, with the suffix -je. The term is primarily informal and refers to a short, casual communication left for someone to read.

Common uses include leaving reminders or messages for family members, writing a quick shopping list, or giving brief instructions. A briefje is often placed on a fridge, on a desk, or at a door. The word also appears in compound forms such as doktersbriefje (a doctor's note) or spiekbriefje (a cheat sheet), which retain the idea of a short, auxiliary note.

In everyday language, briefje contrasts with more formal notes or memos such as notitie or memo. It conveys immediacy and informality, and is widely used in households, schools, and offices. When formality is required, speakers tend to use notitie or aantekening instead.

Example sentences illustrate typical usage: Ik leg even een briefje op tafel met hun boodschappen. Ze liet een briefje achter voor haar collega. De docent vroeg om een briefje van de ouders voor de afwezigheid.

Etymology: the word derives from brief (letter) with the diminutive suffix -je. In Dutch, diminutives often signal small size or informality, a nuance clearly carried by briefje. The form is cognate with similar diminutives in other Germanic languages.