Feitje

Feitje is a Dutch noun meaning a small fact or a minor bit of information. It is the diminutive form of feit, which can refer to a fact, an occurrence, or an act. The suffix -je conveys smallness or a casual tone, so feitje is especially common in informal speech, media, and everyday writing, while feit tends to be used in more formal contexts.

Usage and nuance: feitje is typically used to share trivia or light information in a friendly way. Examples include phrases like “Een leuk feitje: Amsterdam heeft meer fietsen dan inwoners” or “Hier is een interessant feitje.” The diminutive form signals that the information is casual, quirky, or supplementary. The plural is feitjes; when referring to multiple more formal facts, you would use feiten.

Related terms and distinctions: another informal option is weetje, which also conveys a tidbit or bit of knowledge but emphasizes what one knows rather than a concrete stated fact. In formal writing or journalism, het is usually preferable to use feit or feiten rather than feitje.

Widespread use: feitje is common in Dutch-speaking communities in the Netherlands and Flanders and is often used in education, journalism, blogs, and social media to present bite-sized information or trivia. It functions similarly to “fun fact” in English, providing a quick, approachable piece of information.