spullen

Spullen is a Dutch noun meaning items, belongings, or equipment. It is primarily used as a plural noun to refer to a collection of physical objects, such as household goods, tools, clothing, or other personal possessions. The singular het spul exists but is much rarer and is usually treated as a mass noun meaning “the stuff” rather than a set of distinct items.

In everyday usage, spullen can denote both personal belongings and items needed for a task. It is common to speak of “veel spullen” (lots of stuff), “een paar spullen” (a few items), or “mijn spullen” (my things). Examples include: Ik moet mijn spullen pakken voordat ik vertrek, We moeten al onze spullen opruimen, of Verkoop je oude spullen. The word carries a casual, everyday tone and is widely understood in both the Netherlands and Flanders.

Etymology and related terms: spullen derives from the older Dutch word spul, meaning goods or merchandise, and has cognates in related Germanic languages. The form spullen with the plural suffix -en developed over time and remains the standard way to refer to multiple items. Diminutives such as spulletjes exist, used to denote small or cute items, often in a more affectionate or informal sense.

See also: spul, spulletje, goederen, gerei.