Friese

Friese is the German term for a member of the Frisian people, an ethnic group native to the North Sea coast of Europe. Frisia spans parts of the Netherlands and Germany, traditionally divided into West Frisia in the Netherlands and East Frisia and Saterland in Germany. The term is commonly used in German-language sources to refer to Frisian individuals and, occasionally, to Frisian languages as a group.

Language is a defining feature of Frisian identity. Frisian languages form a branch of the West Germanic language family. West Frisian (Frysk) is spoken in the Dutch province of Friesland and is recognized as a regional language with official status in certain contexts. In Germany, North Frisian (Nordfriesisch) is spoken in parts of Schleswig-Holstein, and Saterland Frisian (Saterfriesisch) is spoken in the Saterland of Lower Saxony. Collectively, Frisian languages are among the closest living languages to English.

Historically, Frisians developed a distinct maritime culture and a legal tradition known as Frisian freedom, which granted limited autonomy to coastal communities during the Middle Ages. Over time, Frisian lands were incorporated into larger political entities, including the Dutch state and various German territories. In the present day, Frisian identity persists through language, toponyms, folklore, and regional media, with active cultural organizations and regional festivals in both the Netherlands and Germany.

Notes: The term Friese is mainly used in German-language contexts; in Dutch and English, the people are usually referred to as Frisian. The term also appears in discussions of Frisia as a historical region and of the Frisian language group.