Duits

Duits is the Dutch word used to refer to Germany and things related to it. It functions as both an adjective and a noun. As an adjective, it describes something connected with Germany, for example Duitse cultuur (German culture) or Duitse auto (German car). As a noun, Dutch distinguishes the language and the people: het Duits denotes the German language, while Duitser refers to a German person (singular, masculine) and Duitsers to the plural; female forms are Duitse.

Etymology and scope: The Dutch term derives from Old Dutch duits, which comes from the Proto-Germanic root *þeudiską meaning “of the people.” It is cognate with the German word Deutsch. The shared root reflects the historic linkage between the Germanic-speaking peoples and their languages, and the Dutch term has been used to denote both language and nationality in Dutch.

Language and geography: Het Duits refers to the German language, including standard German (Hochdeutsch) and its dialects. German is the official language or one of the official languages in several countries: Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, and the German-speaking community in Belgium. Dutch usage also forms phrases such as Duitsstalig to indicate German-language media or literature.

Culture and relations: The Netherlands maintains extensive cultural and linguistic ties with German-speaking regions, including commerce, education, and media exchange. The term Duits appears widely in Dutch contexts to describe things related to Germany or the German language, and it remains a neutral, descriptive label in reference to people, language, and culture.