fijne

Fijne is a Dutch adjective that expresses positive quality, such as pleasantness, delicacy, refinement, or good workmanship. It is the inflected form of fijn used in attributive position before nouns. In common constructions with plural nouns or with the definite article, the ending -e is added, for example: de fijne dagen (the nice days), de fijne stof (the fine fabric), het fijne resultaat (the fine result). With an indefinite article in singular, the phrase vaak uses een fijne dag or een fijne smaak, marking a positive assessment of the noun.

The nuance of fijn/fijne is broad and context-dependent. It can describe tangible qualities like texture, taste, or sound (fijne smaak, fijne muziek), as well as more abstract qualities such as a pleasant atmosphere or a well-made object. The word conveys a sense of comfort, suitability, or pleasantness without implying extraordinary or exceptional status.

Etymology and cognates: Fijne derives from the Dutch fijn, which shares roots with the German fein and the English fine. The word appears in Middle Dutch and has widespread use in modern Dutch, remaining common in everyday speech and writing.

Usage and comparatives: The comparative form is typically fijner, and the superlative is fijnste (or, in some contexts, de meest fijne). Dutch also uses phrases like “meest fijn” or alternatives such as “het allerfijnste” depending on emphasis and style. Fijne is versatile across registers, from casual conversation to descriptive prose.

See also: fijn, fijnproever, fijngevoel, fijnheid.