The Linking -n- Rule

Level 4

The tussen-n (linking -n-) is a spelling rule for compound nouns. You generally add -en- if the first word has only one plural form ending in -en (e.g., boek → boeken → boekenkast).

How It Works

In Dutch, when you combine two nouns to form a compound noun, you often need a linking sound. While the tussen-s is linguistically more frequent, the tussen-n is the one with the most complex rules. The rule depends on both the form and the meaning of the first word.

The Main Rule:
Use -en- if the first noun has exactly one plural form, and that form ends in -en.

  • Pan (plural: pannen) + koek = pannenkoek
  • Hond (plural: honden) + hok = hondenhok

The -e- Rule (No 'n'):
Do not add the 'n' (use only -e-) if the first part:

  • Has a plural ending in -s (e.g., horloge → horloges → horlogemaker).
  • Has two possible plurals (-en and -s) (e.g., groente → groenten/groentes → groentesoep).
  • Has no plural form (e.g., rijst → rijstebrij).
  • Is a verb stem (e.g., spinnen → spinnewiel).
  • Is an intensifier (e.g., beer used as 'very' → beregoed, reuzefijn).

Special Exceptions (Meaning Matters):

  • Unique Entities: If the first part refers to something unique (there is only one), use -e- (e.g., zonnestraal, maneschijn). Note: Koninginnedag followed this rule, but the current Koningsdag uses a linking -s-.
  • Fossilized Forms: Some words have lost their literal connection to the original noun (e.g., kattebelletje for a short note, bolleboos for a clever person).
  • Adjectives: This rule does not apply to adjective + noun combinations. Adjectives never take a linking -n- (e.g., hogeschool).

Examples (6)

  1. Ik heb een nieuwe boekenkast gekocht.

    I bought a new bookcase.

    Word by Word: I have a new book-en-cupboard bought.

    'Boek' has only one plural (boeken), so we use the -en- link.

  2. Zij maakt heerlijke groentesoep.

    She makes delicious vegetable soup.

    Word by Word: She makes delicious vegetable-e-soup.

    'Groente' has two plurals (groenten and groentes), so the 'n' is omitted.

  3. Het hondenhok staat in de tuin.

    The doghouse is in the garden.

    Word by Word: The dog-en-house stands in the garden.

    Even if it is for one dog, we use -en- because the plural of 'hond' is 'honden'.

  4. De zonnestralen zijn erg warm vandaag.

    The sunbeams are very warm today.

    Word by Word: The sun-e-beams are very warm today.

    'Zon' is a unique entity, so it takes only -e-.

  5. Dat is een beregoed idee!

    That is a very good idea!

    Word by Word: That is a bear-e-good idea!

    When the first part acts as an intensifier (like 'bere-' for very), we do not add an 'n'.

  6. Het spinnewiel draait rond.

    The spinning wheel turns around.

    Word by Word: The spin-e-wheel turns around.

    If the first part is a verb stem (spinnen), no 'n' is added.

Common Mistakes

  • Using -en- because the meaning is plural.

    aspergensoep
    aspergesoep

    Even if there are many asparagus spears in the soup, 'asperge' can take an -s plural (asperges), so the linking -n- is forbidden.

  • Confusing inflected adjectives with compound nouns.

    rodenkool
    rode kool

    'Rode' is an adjective describing 'kool'. An adjective takes an -e ending, and a linking -n- is not added to it.

  • Adding a linking -n- to compounds starting with an adjective.

    hogen-school
    hogeschool

    When an adjective and a noun form a compound, the adjective usually appears in its -e form (hogeschool, rodekool) and no linking -n- is added.

How It Connects

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

The Linking -n- RuleLevel 4

Learn This First

To learn the 'tussen-n' rule, you first need to understand how Dutch compound nouns are constructed. Since the rule is based on the plural form of the first noun in the compound, you must be able to identify whether a noun takes an -en or -s plural ending.

Words in This Pattern

-n-