tje

tje is a diminutive suffix used in Dutch to form diminutives, conveying smallness, endearment, or familiarity. It is not a standalone word, but an ending attached to base words—most commonly nouns and adjectives—to create new forms with a softened or affectionate nuance.

In Dutch, several diminutive spellings are common, including -je, -tje, -etje, -pje, and -kje. The choice among these forms depends on the phonology of the base word. The most frequent pair is -je and -tje; other variants appear in words where pronunciation or spelling would otherwise be awkward. The resulting words often indicate not only small size but also familiarity or fondness.

Examples illustrating the suffix: huis (house) becomes huisje, kat (cat) becomes katje, kind (child) becomes kindje, auto (car) becomes autootje, and tafel (table) becomes tafeltje. These examples show how the suffix can involve minor adjustments to the base form, such as consonant insertion or vowel changes, to maintain fluent pronunciation.

Semantically, diminutives formed with -tje can express affection, playfulness, or politeness, and they can soften requests or statements. In everyday language, the use of diminutives can subtly alter tone and social nuance more than literal size.

In a broader context, Dutch diminutives share similarities with those in other Dutch-based languages; for instance, Afrikaans commonly uses -tjie as a diminutive form, reflecting shared Germanic roots.

See also: Diminutive (linguistics)