losjes

Losjes is a Dutch plural noun formed from the diminutive losje, meaning a small bag, pouch, or slip. The form and meaning are context dependent, and the word is more common in older texts or in specific domains such as trade and literature.

The most typical sense of losje is a small bag or sachet used to hold a tiny quantity of something. In this use, losjes can be seen in references to herbs, spices, seeds, or confections wrapped or packed in a diminutive bag. In everyday modern Dutch, the more common everyday term for a small bag is zakje, but losje appears in historical, regional, or specialized writing.

A second meaning concerns lottery or drawing contexts. In this sense, losje refers to a raffle ticket or a small slip used to participate in a draw. For example, a seller might offer several losjes to customers as entries in a lottery or prize drawing. This usage is still understandable today, particularly in traditional or ceremonial settings, though lotje is a more frequently heard form in contemporary speech.

Regional and historical notes indicate that losje can vary in prominence across Dutch-speaking areas and is often interchangeable with zakje or lotje depending on the register and era. In modern practical language, losjes are mainly encountered in literary, archival, or specialized contexts rather than in everyday conversation.