jonge

Jonge is a Dutch adjective meaning young. It is used before a noun to describe age or youth, as in een jonge man (a young man), een jonge vrouw (a young woman), or de jonge generatie (the younger generation).

In everyday usage, jonge appears in a wide range of contexts that refer to people, animals, or things that are not fully grown or are described as belonging to the younger demographic. It participates in common expressions such as de jonge garde (the younger/novice group) or jonge ondernemers (young entrepreneurs). The form is used regardless of gender and number when it precedes a noun, for example, de jonge kinderen, een jonge kunstenaar.

Etymology and related forms: jonge derives from Old Dutch jong, which originates from the Proto-Germanic root *jungaz. It is cognate with English young and German jung, reflecting a shared historical lineage in the Germanic language family. The word is related to the base adjective jong, from which other inflected forms are developed in Dutch grammar.

Other uses: in Dutch, Jonge can also function as a surname when capitalized, appearing in Dutch-speaking regions as a family name. As a proper noun, it does not carry the meaning of the adjective in that context but identifies individuals or families.

See also: jong, jeugd, jonge generatie.