Nieuwe

Nieuwe is the inflected attributive form of the Dutch adjective nieuw, meaning “new.” It is used to describe nouns and agrees with number and, in many contexts, with definiteness. The form is common before plural nouns (nieuwe auto’s, nieuwe landen) and before singular nouns preceded by a definite article or demonstrative (de nieuwe auto, het nieuwe huis).

In Dutch, the base form nieuw is typically used after an indefinite article or in certain predicative positions (een nieuw boek). Adjectives in attributive position often take the -e ending when the noun is definite or plural, or when a possessive determiner is present (mijn nieuwe telefoon). The comparative and superlative forms of nieuw are nieuwer and nieuwste, respectively.

The etymology of nieuw traces to Old Dutch niuw, from Proto-Germanic *niwjaz, with cognates in German neu and English new. This lineage explains why nieuw and its inflected forms remain recognizable across the Germanic language family.

Common usage spans everyday objects, technology, and culture. Examples include de nieuwe auto (the new car), de nieuwste versie (the newest version), een nieuw boek (a new book), en mijn nieuwe telefoon (and my new phone). The form also appears in place names and proper nouns, such as Nieuwe Kerk, a well-known church name in Dutch-speaking areas (notably in Amsterdam and Delft).

See also: nieuw (the base adjective).