dergelijke

Dergelijke is a Dutch demonstrative determiner and pronoun meaning “such” or “the like,” used to refer to things of the same kind as those already mentioned or implied. It helps to point to a category rather than a specific item and can introduce examples or emphasize a point in both written and spoken Dutch.

In modern usage, dergelijk appears in two main forms depending on number: dergelijk before singular nouns and dergelijke before plural nouns. Examples include dergelijk gedrag (such behavior) and dergelijke omstandigheden (such circumstances). The word can also function as a predeterminer in formal prose, as in: Dergelijke woorden doen afbreuk aan de kernboodschap.

Etymologically, dergelijk derives from der (an archaic form of “that”) combined with gelijk (equal or like), yielding a compound meaning of “the like” or “such.” The form is closely related to other Dutch expressions that indicate similarity or approximation.

Register and usage notes: dergelijk and dergelijke tend to be more formal or literary. In everyday speech, Dutch speakers often substitute with zulk(e) or zo’n, depending on flavor and context. Dergelijke can also appear as a substantive pronoun in formal writing, referring to things of the described kind in a general sense.

Related terms include zulke/dergelijke/zodanige variants that convey similar meaning, with subtle differences in tone or emphasis. In most contexts, dergelijk serves to generalize or categorize without naming specific instances, making it a useful tool for argumentation, description, and formal narration.