drankje

Drankje is a Dutch noun meaning a beverage or drink. It is the diminutive form of drank, the general word for a beverage, and is used for both non-alcoholic and alcoholic drinks. The term is common in the Netherlands and in the Dutch-speaking part of Belgium (Flanders). The plural form is drankjes.

Etymology and form: The base word drank comes from older Germanic roots, with cognates such as German Trank and English drink. The suffix -je in Dutch creates the diminutive, indicating a small serving or a familiar tone.

Usage: In everyday speech, people say "Wil je een drankje?" to offer or request a drink. Descriptions such as "een koud drankje" (a cold drink) or "een warm drankje" are common. Although inherently neutral, "drankje" can refer to any beverage, including water, soda, koffie, thee, wijn, or bier, depending on context.

Regional notes: The word is used similarly in Belgian Dutch. In formal writing, "drank" is more common; "drankje" is more colloquial or informal. Related terms include drank (beverage) and various specific drink names like sap, limonade, koffie, thee.