ruig

Ruig is an adjective in the Dutch language describing rough, rugged, or coarse qualities. It is used for textures, landscapes, weather, and behavior, conveying a sense of untamed or harsh character. Common uses include descriptions such as de ruige kust langs de Noordzee, een ruige wind, or een ruige kerel.

Ruig differs from the synonyms ruw and onverschillig in nuance. While ruw can simply denote roughness or coarseness, ruig often implies a more rugged, wild, or untamed quality, particularly in natural settings or in the characterization of people. In practice, ruig is frequently chosen to evoke a picturesque or dramatic impression rather than a neutral description.

Usage and form: Ruig precedes nouns in definite phrases (de ruige kust, een ruige wind) and can describe a person’s demeanor or appearance as well (een ruige kerel). It is a versatile term in both literal descriptions of the environment and figurative language.

Etymology: Ruig is a native Dutch term with cognates in related West Germanic languages. Its exact historical development is not widely documented in standard references, but it remains a common and stable descriptor in modern Dutch.

See also: Dutch language; ruw; adjectives in Dutch.