Kijkje

Kijkje is a Dutch noun formed from kijken with the diminutive suffix -je, and it conveys a notion of smallness or informality. The primary sense is a short look or glimpse, and less commonly a brief visit or tour. In everyday language, people use the expression een kijkje nemen to mean “to take a quick look,” and een kijkje geven to “give someone a peek.” The phrase een kijkje achter de schermen is common in journalism, entertainment, and organizational contexts, referring to a behind-the-scenes glimpse.

In addition to its figurative use, kijkje can also denote a physical viewing opening, such as a small opening, peephole, or viewing slit in a wall or partition. In these literal senses the word points to a concrete object designed to allow sight from one space to another, though in common speech the figurative uses are far more frequent.

The word is widely used in Dutch everyday speech and writing, and it appears in a range of contexts, from casual conversation to media and tourism language. Its tone is informal and approachable, signaling a brief or partial view rather than a comprehensive inspection. Etymologically, kijkje is a diminutive form of kijken, underscoring the notion of a quick, cursory glance rather than an extended engagement.