driedubbel

Driedubbel is a Dutch term meaning threefold or three times. It is formed from drie (three) and dubbel (double) and belongs to a family of multiplicative compounds such as vierdubbel (fourfold) and vijfdubbel (fivefold). In ordinary language, driedubbel describes something that is three times as large, frequent, or extensive as another thing. For example, het driedubbele bedrag refers to a threefold amount, and driedubbel voordeel can denote a threefold advantage, though many contexts favor the expression “drie keer zo veel.”

Etymologically, driedubbel fits with other Dutch multiplier forms that pair a numeral with a base meaning to fold or double. It is commonly used in everyday speech and in journalism, advertising, and informal writing to convey a simple, emphatic sense of multiplication.

In formal contexts, more precise terms such as drievoudig (threefold in a technical sense) or explicit phrases like “drie keer zo veel” are often preferred for clarity. Driedubbel also appears in literature and media as a stylistic modifier, where it serves to emphasize a comparison or proportion without resorting to more complex phrasing. Usage can vary by dialect and register, with some speakers favoring alternatives in more formal or technical writing.

See also: drievoudig, vierdubbel, drie-maal.