Schrijfster

Schrijfster is a Dutch noun that designates a woman who writes professionally. It is the feminine form of schrijver, the general term for a writer. In everyday language, schrijfster may refer to authors of novels, non-fiction, poetry, journalism, and other written works.

Etymology and usage: The word is formed from schrijven, meaning “to write,” plus the feminine agent suffix -ster. The corresponding masculine form is schrijver. In modern usage, both gendered forms are common, but many contexts favor neutral terms such as auteur or simply schrijver when the gender is unknown or not relevant. The term is widely understood in the Netherlands and in Flemish Dutch communities.

Gender and language: Dutch has a long history of gendered occupational terms. In recent decades, there has been discussion about inclusive language, leading to more neutral alternatives in some contexts. Nevertheless, schrijfster remains a standard label for female authors within bibliographies, literary criticism, and everyday reference, and it is typically used when the gender of the writer is relevant.

Notable schrijfsters: Throughout Dutch literature, several women have been identified as schrijfsters. Anna Bijns (1493–1573) was an early Dutch poet and writer. Annie M.G. Schmidt (1911–1995) is celebrated as a renowned children's author. Hella S. Haasse (1918–2011) is known for her acclaimed historical novels. These examples illustrate the term’s historical scope and contemporary usage.

See also: In Dutch, gendered forms like schrijver and schrijfster coexist with gender-neutral terms such as auteur, depending on context and preference.