eitje

Eitje is a Dutch noun that serves as the diminutive form of ei, meaning egg. It denotes a small egg or is used as a familiar, casual term for an egg in everyday speech. In standard Dutch, eitje is common in cooking and food-related conversation, and it often conveys a light, informal tone. For example, someone might say “Ik wil graag een eitje” when ordering a fried egg.

Etymology and form: The word is created by attaching the diminutive suffix -tje to ei. The Dutch diminutive pattern -tje is productive and conveys small size, endearment, or familiarity. Pronunciation varies by dialect, but a typical realization is close to ei-tje with a gentle, brief final sound.

Usage notes: In practice, "een eitje" is a natural way to refer to one egg, regardless of preparation, and it appears in recipes, menus, and everyday talk. The diminutive often adds a friendly or approachable tone, which makes eitje common in informal settings and in language aimed at children or casual conversation.

Cultural context: Eitje reflects broader Dutch morphological behavior, where diminutives are widely used to soften statements or to create affectionate forms. While primarily a linguistic term, eitje also appears in culinary and media contexts as a colloquial way to talk about eggs.

See also: Ei (Dutch); Dutch diminutives; Eier (in related Germanic languages).