graantje

Graantje is a Dutch-language term that functions as the diminutive form of graan, meaning “a little grain.” The literal sense is a small grain or seed, and, by extension, the word can be used metaphorically to indicate a small amount of something.

Etymology and form: Graantje is built from the root graan (grain) with the diminutive suffix -tje, a common pattern in Dutch for creating affectionate or rustic variants. The standard plural form is graantjes.

Usage: In contemporary standard Dutch, graantje is not a high-frequency word and appears mostly in dialectal, poetic, or informal contexts. It is more likely to convey a rustic or quaint tone, rather than to serve as a technical term. The word can be used to evoke imagery of farming, harvest, or homely scenes, and may appear in literature, songs, or casual speech.

Other uses: While primarily a common noun, graantje can occasionally function as a playful nickname or be encountered as a very small-scale label in regional or fictional contexts. It is not widely established as a proper noun on its own in mainstream sources.

See also: Graan (grain); Diminutives in Dutch; Dutch phonology and morphology; Graantjes (plural).