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dutch

n. uncountable
A2 Elementary US //ˈdətʃ// UK //dˈʌtʃ// dutch Archaic Slang Vulgar

n. the language spoken in the Netherlands and parts of Belgium. It can also refer to the people who come from the Netherlands.

n. the West Germanic language spoken primarily in the Netherlands and Flanders; also used as a collective noun for the people of the Netherlands.


SIMPLE

She is learning Dutch because she wants to work in Amsterdam.

CONTEXTUAL

While many people in the Netherlands speak excellent English, learning some Dutch helps you integrate into the local community.

COMPLEX

The historical evolution of Dutch shares many characteristics with Low German, yet it developed a distinct literary and formal standard during the seventeenth century.

Origin

PIE word *tewtéh₂ Derived from Middle English Duch (“German, Low German, Dutch”), from Middle Low German dütsch, düdesch (“German, Low German, Dutch”) and Middle Dutch dūtsch, dūtsc (“German, Low German, Dutch”), from Proto-West Germanic þiudisk, from Proto-Germanic þiudiskaz (“of one’s people”), derived from þeudō (“people”), from Proto-Indo-European tewtéh₂. Doublet of Deutsch and Doitsu. Compare Middle English thedisch (“native, endemic”) from Old English þēodisċ (“of one’s people”), Old Saxon thiudisk (German Low German düütsch (“German”)), Old High German diutisc (modern German deutsch (“German”)), modern Dutch Duits (“German”) alongside elevated Diets (“Dutch”) (a secondary distinction, fully accepted only in the 19th century). See also Derrick, Teuton, Teutonic. The pejorative senses (Dutch courage, Dutch wife, Dutch uncle, etc.) are said to stem from the Anglo-Dutch Wars and the accompanying rivalry.

Usage

Uncountable when referring to the language. When referring to the people, it is used as a collective plural ('the Dutch') and does not take an 's'.

Pitfall

He is a Dutch.He is Dutch.When referring to a person's nationality, use the adjective 'Dutch' without an article, or use the noun 'Dutchman' or 'Dutchwoman'.

Idioms3 entries

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