-erij

The -erij Suffix

Level 5

The suffix -erij (and its variant -ij) creates de-words (common gender) from verbs or nouns. It is used to name a workplace or trade (like a farm or bakery) or to describe annoying, repetitive behavior (like whining).

How It Works

The suffix -erij is a productive tool in Dutch for creating nouns. It is usually used with the definite article de.

1. Formation and Meaning
Dutch uses two related suffixes depending on the base word:
• -ij is added to agent nouns (people who do something) that already end in -er: bakker (baker) → de bakkerij (the bakery); brouwer (brewer) → de brouwerij (the brewery).
• -erij is added to verb stems or other nouns: was (wash) → de wasserij (the laundry); slaaf (slave) → de slavernij (slavery).

2. The Epenthetic 'd'
A specific spelling rule applies when adding the suffix -erij to a stem that ends in -r: a -d- is inserted for easier pronunciation. For example, boer (farmer) + -erij becomes de boer-d-erij (the farm).

3. Pejorative Activity and the 'ge-' Prefix
Unlike the neutral -ing suffix, -erij often implies that an action is excessive, tiresome, or morally dubious. This sense is frequently reinforced by the prefix ge-, creating a circumfix (ge...erij). For instance, zeuren (to whine) becomes gezeurderij (constant, annoying whining).

4. The -arij Variant
In some specific, lexicalized cases, the suffix appears as -arij rather than -erij. This is common in words like de bedelarij (begging) or de tekenarij (drawing/drafting).

5. Gender and Stress
While almost all -erij words are de-words, there is one very common exception: het schilderij (the painting). The suffix is always stress-bearing, meaning the emphasis shifts to the end: bak-ke-RIJ.

Examples (5)

Ik moet even naar de bakkerij om vers brood te halen.
I need to go to the bakery for a moment to get fresh bread.
Word by Word: I must just to the bakery for fresh bread to fetch.
Here, -erij is used in its neutral sense to denote a place of business (bakery), formed from the agent noun 'bakker'.
Ik ben die eeuwige gezeurderij over het weer helemaal zat!
I am completely fed up with that eternal whining about the weather!
Word by Word: I am that eternal whining about the weather completely fed-up!
In this context, the suffix combines with the prefix 'ge-' to form a pejorative noun. Note the 'd' inserted after the 'r' in the stem 'zeur'.
Zijn hele verhaal bleek één grote bedriegerij te zijn.
His whole story turned out to be one big deception.
Word by Word: His whole story turned-out one big deception to be.
The suffix here creates a noun describing a morally questionable activity. Since 'bedrieger' is an agent noun ending in -er, we simply add -ij without an extra 'd'.
De politie onderzoekt de grootschalige belastingontduikerij.
The police are investigating the large-scale tax evasion.
Word by Word: The police investigate the large-scale tax-evasion.
Even in formal contexts, -erij is used to describe illegal or negative behaviors like tax evasion.
De drukkerij staat aan het einde van de straat.
The printing house is at the end of the street.
Word by Word: The printing-house stands at the end of the street.
A standard example of a workplace noun derived from the agent noun 'drukker' (printer).

Common Mistakes

Using the wrong gender (het instead of de) for most words.
Het bakkerij is gesloten.
De bakkerij is gesloten.
Almost all nouns ending in -erij are common gender (de-words). A notable exception is 'het schilderij' (the painting).
Using -erij for neutral actions instead of -ing.
De wandelarij was erg leuk.
De wandeling was erg leuk.
Using -erij for a neutral walk (wandeling) makes it sound like the walking was aimless, annoying, or excessive.
Confusing the person (agent) with the place.
Ik ben een bakkerij.
Ik ben een bakker.
A 'bakker' is the person (the baker), while a 'bakkerij' is the location (the bakery).

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

-erijLevel 5The -erij Suffix

Learn This First

To understand the -erij suffix, you need to know how to identify the stem of a verb, as many of these nouns are derived from verbs. You also need to be familiar with Dutch spelling rules for adding suffixes and the de/het gender system, as all -erij nouns take the 'de' article.

Words in This Pattern