bordje

Bordje is a Dutch noun meaning a small plate, saucer, or shallow dish used for serving or presenting food in smaller portions or alongside a cup. The term is the diminutive form of bord, meaning plate, created with the diminutive suffix -je. A bordje can be made from ceramic, porcelain, glass, stoneware, or plastic, and its size typically ranges from about 10 to 18 centimeters in diameter, with coffee saucers and dessert plates occupying different points in that range.

In everyday use, bordjes serve multiple roles. They can hold condiments, appetizers, or desserts, or act as a tray for a cup of coffee or tea. In restaurants and households, matching bordjes are common as part of tableware sets that coordinate with cups, bowls, and larger plates. Decorative bordjes—sometimes featuring patterns or motifs—may be collected or displayed.

Care and durability depend on material. Porcelain and ceramic bordjes are usually dishwasher-safe and microwave-safe unless they carry metallic decorations or have special finishes; plastic variants are typically easier to care for but may stain or warp with heat.

See also: Plate, Saucer, Dinnerware, Porcelain, Tableware. PMID