Adjective Endings (Full Declension Rules)

Adjective Endings (Full Declension Rules) (B1)

While basic adjective endings are introduced earlier, B1 requires a comprehensive understanding of Dutch adjective declension ë the rules determining whether an adjective gets an -e ending or not. This depends on the gender of the noun, whether the noun is singular or plural, and the type of determiner used (definite, indefinite, none).

Basic Principle: Adjectives generally take an -e ending when they precede the noun they modify, but there are exceptions.

Rules for Adjective Endings:

Plural Nouns: Adjectives always take an -e ending before plural nouns, regardless of gender or determiner.

Example: de mooie huizen (the beautiful houses)
Example: mooie huizen (beautiful houses)
Example: kleine kinderen (small children)

Singular de-words (Masculine/Feminine): Adjectives always take an -e ending before singular de-words.

Example: de groote stad (the big city)
Example: een groote stad (a big city)
Example: roode wijn (red wine - indefinite)
Example: de interessante vrouw (the interesting woman)

Singular het-words (Neuter): This is where the main exception lies.

With Definite Determiners (het, dit, dat, possessives like mijn, zijn, etc.): The adjective takes an -e ending.
Example: het oude huis (the old house)
Example: dit kleine kind (this small child)
Example: zijn nieuwe boek (his new book)
With the Indefinite Article een: The adjective takes no ending.
Example: een oud huis (an old house) - No -e
Example: een klein kind (a small child) - No -e
With No Determiner: The adjective takes no ending.
Example: koud water (cold water) - No -e
Example: vers brood (fresh bread) - No -e
With Indefinite Determiners like elk, ieder, welk: The adjective takes no ending.
Example: elk oud huis (each old house) - No -e

Summary Table:

Noun Type	Determiner	Adjective Ending	Example
Plural (de/het)	Any (de, een, mijn, geen, ...)	-e	`de grote huizen`
Singular de-word	Any (de, een, mijn, geen, ...)	-e	`een grote stad`
Singular het-word	Definite (het, dit, dat, mijn, ...)	-e	`het grote huis`
Singular het-word	Indefinite (`een`, `geen`, `elk`, `ieder`, `welk`*)	No ending	`een groot huis`
Singular het-word	None	No ending	`groot huis` (uncommon)
			`vers brood`

Note on elk/ieder/welk: While technically indefinite, they behave like een before het-words regarding adjective endings.

Adjectives Used Predicatively (After the Noun):

When an adjective comes after the noun (usually with a linking verb like zijn, worden, blijven), it never takes an ending.

Example: Het huis is oud. (The house is old.)
Example: De stad wordt groot. (The city is becoming big.)

Adjectives Ending in -en: Adjectives derived from materials (e.g., houten - wooden, gouden - golden) never take an extra -e.

Example: de houten tafel (the wooden table)
Example: een gouden ring (a golden ring)

Mastering these full declension rules is essential for correct grammar and clear communication in written and spoken Dutch at the B1 level.