allerlei

Allerlei is a Dutch word that functions as an attributive determiner meaning all sorts of, various, or a wide range of. It is typically placed directly before a plural noun, as in allerlei mensen or allerlei dingen, to indicate diversity or multitude. The expression can also occur in the fixed phrase van allerlei, for example van allerlei soorten voedsel, to emphasize breadth. In everyday language, allerlei is common in both spoken and written Dutch and is considered informal to neutral in tone.

Etymology and usage: Allerlei is formed as a compound that conveys variety. The exact historical development is not widely documented, but the term has been in use since the 19th century and remains prevalent in contemporary Dutch. It is used across the Netherlands and Flanders, often in journalism, fiction, and everyday speech. While allerlei roughly means “various,” it is less specific than enumerations and conveys a sense of assortment rather than a defined set.

Synonyms and related expressions include allerhande, van allerlei, and the broader idiom van alles en nog wat. Allerlei can carry a neutral to slightly informal register; allerhande is sometimes perceived as a tad more literary, though in practice the two are often interchangeable.

Related forms in German share a cognate meaning, with German using allerlei to denote many kinds of things. In Dutch, the term remains a compact, versatile way to express diversity without listing items individually.