Winkel

Winkel is a Dutch noun with the primary meaning shop or store. It refers to a retail establishment where goods or services are offered to customers, ranging from small family shops to larger supermarkets. In everyday language, people commonly use winkel in phrases such as naar de winkel gaan (to go to the shop) and in compound forms like boekwinkel (bookstore) or kledingwinkel (clothing store).

The verb winkelen, meaning to go shopping, is closely related and widely used. A typical sentence is Ik ga winkelen in de stad, which translates to I’m going shopping in the city. Related compounds such as winkelstraat (shopping street) and winkelcentrum (shopping center) describe locations or districts known for commerce.

Winkel also appears as a surname in Dutch-speaking regions and can occur in place names or business names. In such uses, the word retains its general sense of a place involved in commerce or a family name carried through generations.

In summary, winkel is a core Dutch term for a retail establishment and is embedded in common expressions for shopping, as well as in related spatial terms and personal or place names.