-s-/-en-

The Linking -s- in Compounds

Level 3

The linking -s- (tussen-s) and linking -n- (tussen-n) are interfixes used to join parts of a compound noun. While the -n- follows a specific spelling rule based on plurals, the -s- is often guided by suffixes and language intuition.

How It Works

1. The Linking -n- (Tussen-n)
The general rule is that you add an -n- if the first noun has a plural that ends only in -en (and not -s).

  • krant (plural: kranten) + bak = krantenbak (newspaper rack)
  • hond (plural: honden) + hok = hondenhok (doghouse)
  • pan (plural: pannen) + koek = pannenkoek (pancake)

Inverse Rule for -n-:
If the first noun has a plural that ends in -s, or if it can take both -en and -s as plural endings, you do not add a linking -n-.

  • horloge (plural: horloges) + maker = horlogemaker (watchmaker)
  • groente (plural: groentes or groenten) + soep = groentesoep (vegetable soup)

Exceptions to the -n- Rule:
There are specific cases where you do not add an extra linking -n-, even if the plural ends in -en:

  • Unique Entities (Linking -e-): Words traditionally considered unique, like zon (sun) and maan (moon), take a linking -e- (tussen-e) instead of an -n-. Examples: zonnestraal, maneschijn. Note that in zonnestraal, the double 'n' is just a spelling rule to keep the vowel short, not a linking -n-.
  • Koninginnedag: This specific historical holiday is a unique exception in Dutch spelling. While koninginnensoep follows the standard rule, Koninginnedag (Queen's Day) is written without the -n- because it refers to a single, unique person (the Queen).
  • Verb Stems: If the first part is a verb stem. Example: wiegelied (lullaby, from wiegen).
  • Intensifying Prefixes: When the first part is an intensifying prefix. Example: berekoud (very cold).
  • No Plural: If the first word has no plural or is a mass noun. Example: rijstepap (rice pudding).
  • Adjectives: If the first part is an adjective. Example: hogeschool (college).

2. The Linking -s- (Tussen-s)
Unlike the -n-, the linking -s- is primarily determined by pronunciation. If you hear the -s- when saying the compound, you write it.

  • The Substitution Test: If the second word starts with an 's' sound (like soep), replace it with a word starting with a different letter to check for the -s-. For stationsstraat, try stationsgebouw. You hear the -s-, so it belongs in both.
  • Suffixes: Words ending in -heid, -ing, -schap, or -teit usually take an -s-. Examples: schoonheidsideaal, meningsverschil.
  • Diminutives: Diminutives almost always take a linking -s-. Example: meisjesnaam (girl's name).

3. Language Intuition
Because the -s- is not strictly regulated, you may see variation. For some words, both forms are acceptable, such as spellingregel and spellingsregel. When in doubt, it is often a matter of what sounds most natural to native speakers.

Examples (6)

  1. Ik gooi de oude kranten in de krantenbak.

    I throw the old newspapers in the newspaper rack.

    Word by Word: I throw the old newspapers in the newspaper-n-bin.

    Because 'krant' only has a plural ending in -en (kranten), we add a linking -n-.

  2. Het is een prachtig sprookjesbos.

    It is a beautiful fairytale forest.

    Word by Word: It is a beautiful fairytale-s-forest.

    The diminutive 'sprookje' triggers the linking -s- in the compound.

  3. Er is een groot meningsverschil tussen de twee partijen.

    There is a large difference of opinion between the two parties.

    Word by Word: There is a large opinion-s-difference between the two parties.

    The suffix -ing in 'mening' strongly tends to trigger a linking -s-.

  4. Zij zingt een wiegelied voor de baby.

    She sings a lullaby for the baby.

    Word by Word: She sings a rock-song for the baby.

    No linking -n- is added when the first part of the compound is a verb stem, like 'wiege' from 'wiegen' (to rock).

  5. Het is buiten berekoud.

    It is freezing cold outside.

    Word by Word: It is outside bear-cold.

    In intensifying compounds where the first part acts as a prefix (like 'bere-' for very), the linking -n- is omitted.

  6. Zij stuurden hem een beterschapskaart.

    They sent him a get-well card.

    Word by Word: They sent him a recovery-s-card.

    The suffix -schap usually triggers the linking -s-.

Common Mistakes

  • Omitting the -s- when the second word starts with an 's'.

    meisjestem
    meisjesstem

    Even if you only hear one 's' sound, you must write the linking -s- if it would appear before other letters (like in 'meisjesnaam').

  • Adding a linking -n- when the first word has two plural forms.

    groentensoep
    groentesoep

    If a word like 'groente' can end in both -en and -es (groenten/groentes), the linking -n- is generally not used in the compound.

  • Forgetting the -s- after the suffix -ing.

    regeringbeleid
    regeringsbeleid

    Words ending in -ing often take a linking -s-, as in 'regeringsbeleid', but not always (for example 'woningbouw'). Learn the common ones as you meet them.

How It Connects

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

-s-/-en-Level 3The Linking -s- in Compounds

Learn This First

To understand linking elements in Dutch, you first need to know how to form basic compound nouns. Since these linking elements (-s- and -en-) often resemble plural endings, familiarity with the regular pluralization rules for nouns is necessary to recognize and apply them correctly.

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Words in This Pattern

-s--en-