kratje

Kratje is a Dutch diminutive noun derived from krat, meaning a crate or box. In everyday language it refers to a small container used for transporting bottled beverages, most often beer or soft drinks. The term is common in the Netherlands and in Flemish-speaking parts of Belgium.

Etymology and form: Kratje is formed with the diminutive suffix -je, which signals small size or affection. The base word krat itself stems from historical Germanic terms for a container and is related to the English word crate.

Usage: In ordinary speech people say een kratje bier to mean a crate of beer. The exact number of bottles per kratje varies by product and region; typical beer kratjes contain six or twelve bottles. The word can also be used more broadly for other small beverage packages, and it appears in casual signage and conversations rather than formal packaging terminology.

Regional and linguistic notes: The term is widely understood in both Dutch and Flemish contexts, though regional preferences may favor krat or other equivalents in formal language. Kratje is primarily a colloquial expression and is most common in informal conversation about buying, transporting, or sharing beverages.

See also: Crate; Beer crate; Packaging.