dichteres

Dichteres is a Dutch term that designates a female poet. It is the feminine form of dichter, the word for poet, and is formed with the feminine suffix -es. The term identifies a woman who writes poetry and is encountered in Dutch-language literature, criticism, and historical texts.

In contemporary Dutch, the masculine form dichter is frequently used as a gender-neutral designation for poets of any gender, particularly in general or literary discussions. When the gender of the poet is specifically relevant, dichteres may be chosen to emphasize that the individual is a woman. The term is more common in older or more traditional contexts, and its usage varies by region and style guide. Some modern writers and editors prefer gender-neutral phrasing to avoid drawing attention to gender.

The plural form of dichteres is dichteressen, used to refer to multiple female poets. For mixed-gender groups or when speaking generically about poets, dichters remains a common choice, aligning with broader Dutch practice of using the masculine form as a generic default.

Overall, dichteres is a recognized but increasingly contextual term in Dutch. Its use reflects broader discussions about gendered language in Dutch, where emphasis on inclusivity has led many to favor gender-neutral forms in everyday writing while retaining the historical feminine form for explicit references to women poets.