Vriendinnen

Vriendinnen is the plural form of the Dutch noun vriendin, meaning a female friend. The term is used to refer to a group of women who share friendship, and it can also appear in contexts where a romantic sense of “girlfriend” is implied, though in everyday language it most often denotes platonic female friendship.

Grammatically, vriendin is a feminine noun and pairs with the definite article de (de vriendin, de vriendinnen). The plural is formed by adding the suffix -innen: de vriendin becomes de vriendinnen. The word clearly marks gender, which is common in Dutch for describing social relationships.

In Dutch-speaking societies, vriendinnen often provide social support, companionship, and practical help. Close female friendships are associated with emotional well-being and resilience, and they play important roles across life stages such as adolescence, parenthood, and aging. These friendships can involve shared activities, communication patterns, and mutual advice, and they typically coexist with friendships with men or with mixed groups.

Usage and nuance: in everyday speech, speakers distinguish circles by saying vriendinnen for women and vrienden for men, while vriendschappen is a gender-neutral term for friendships in general. In media and literature, the concept of vriendinnen is frequently linked to themes of bonding, solidarity, and mutual aid among women.