noorden

Noorden is the Dutch word for the north. In Dutch grammar, noorden can function as a noun denoting the northern direction or the northern part of a place. The form comes from noord (north) with the plural-like suffix -en, used to create a collective or regional reference.

In everyday language you will encounter phrases such as naar het noorden (to the north) or in het noorden van een gebied (in the northern part of an area). When capitalized as Het Noorden, the term may also function as a regional label, referring to the northern part of a country or to a broader northern region in maps, media, or discourse.

In toponymy, Noorden can appear as part of a place name or district label to indicate location in the north of a city or municipality. The exact meaning and usage depend on local naming conventions; it is not typically a fixed, standalone place. Dutch place naming often uses directional terms, so Noorden frequently occurs alongside other geographic descriptors such as Noord or Noordoost in formal and informal contexts.

See also: Noord, Het Noorden, Noord-Holland.