wij

Wij is the Dutch first-person plural subject pronoun meaning "we." It is used to refer to the speaker and at least one other person. In standard Dutch it is written wij, with capitalization only when it begins a sentence (Wij gaan naar huis).

Etymology and relatives: Wij derives from Proto-Germanic roots and has cognates in neighboring languages, such as German wir and English we. As with these languages, the Dutch wij functions as the subject of a clause.

Forms and related pronouns: As a subject pronoun, wij is paired with finite verbs in main clauses (e.g., Wij gaan naar school). The corresponding object pronoun is ons (e.g., Ze geven ons het boek). The possessive determiner is onze (e.g., onze auto), and the independent possessive pronoun is de onze (or het onze) depending on the noun’s gender. Raštically, wij is distinct from the second-person pronoun jij/je (you) and the plural second-person pronoun jullie (you all).

Usage notes: Wij is used in both the Netherlands and Flemish-speaking parts of Belgium, though regional preferences can affect emphasis or formality. In inclusive or collective contexts, wij commonly marks group identity and solidarity. Dutch frequently alternates between wij and we in informal speech, with we tend to appear more often in conversational style, while wij can add emphasis or formality.

Pronunciation: In Standard Dutch, wij is pronounced roughly as a labiodental approximant followed by the diphthong ei, commonly heard as a sound like “vay.” The w is realized as [ʋ], similar to a v sound in many dialects.

See also: Dutch grammar, Dutch pronouns, language contact in Dutch-speaking regions.