mannertje

Mannetje is a Dutch noun that functions as a diminutive form of man. It can refer to a small man, such as a young boy, or to a figurine or toy shaped like a person. The word is formed from the base man and the diminutive suffix -tje, with consonant assimilation that yields the spelling mann e t t e. The plural form is mannetjes.

In use, mannetje carries a neutral or affectionate nuance and is common in everyday speech. It can describe a small male person in a casual way, or refer to a small statue or toy depicting a human figure. As a diminutive, it conveys smallness or familiarity rather than a formal designation.

Variants and cognates exist. Another common diminutive form is manneke, which appears in similar contexts and in some regional varieties. In Afrikaans, the cognate form mantetjie (often written mannetjie) serves a parallel purpose, reflecting shared Dutch roots. The Dutch-Flemish diminutive pattern is also seen in related expressions such as Manneken Pis, a famous Brussels statue, where the root word man is rendered in a diminutive form for a playful or affectionate effect.

See also: man, manneke, mannetjie, Afrikaans cognates.