zo'n/zulke

Zo'n and Zulke

Level 2

Zo’n and zulke are used to describe a specific kind or quality of something. They translate to 'such a', 'a ... like that', or 'about' (when used with numbers).

How It Works

These words function as demonstrative determiners. They don't just point to an object, but to the type of object.

1. Zo’n (Contraction of 'zo een')
Used with singular nouns, above all countable ones (it also appears with some uncountable nouns, as in zo’n honger). When an adjective follows, it follows the indefinite article rules: de-words get an -e, but het-words do not.
Example: zo’n mooie man (de man) vs. zo’n mooi huis (het huis).

2. Zulke and Zulk
Use zulke for all plurals and for uncountable nouns that are 'de-words'. Use zulk (without the -e) for uncountable nouns that are 'het-words'.

3. Intensifying vs. Identifying
These words can either identify a type ('I want a phone like that') or intensify a quality ('It was such a beautiful day!').

4. Approximations
Before a number, zo’n means 'approximately' or 'about'.
Example: Er waren zo’n twintig mensen. (There were about twenty people.)

Examples (5)

  1. Ik heb nog nooit zo’n groot schip gezien.

    I have never seen such a big ship.

    Word by Word: I have yet never such-a big ship seen.

    'Schip' is a singular 'het-word', so we use 'zo’n' and the adjective 'groot' does not get an -e.

  2. Waarom koop je zulke dure schoenen?

    Why do you buy such expensive shoes?

    Word by Word: Why buy you such expensive shoes?

    'Schoenen' is plural, so we must use 'zulke'.

  3. We hadden zulk slecht weer tijdens de vakantie.

    We had such bad weather during the holiday.

    Word by Word: We had such bad weather during the holiday.

    'Weer' is an uncountable 'het-word', so we use 'zulk' without the -e.

  4. Het is zo’n mooie dag vandaag!

    It is such a beautiful day today!

    Word by Word: It is such-a beautiful day today!

    Here 'zo’n' is used as an intensifier for the 'de-word' dag.

  5. Er waren zo’n dertig gasten op het feest.

    There were about thirty guests at the party.

    Word by Word: There were such-a thirty guests on the party.

    When used before a number, 'zo’n' indicates an approximation.

Common Mistakes

  • Using 'zo’n' for plural nouns.

    Ik hou niet van zo’n mensen.
    Ik hou niet van zulke mensen.

    In standard Dutch, 'zo’n' is only for singular nouns. Use 'zulke' for plurals like 'mensen'.

  • Adding an -e to adjectives after 'zo’n' for 'het-words'.

    Het is zo’n mooie huis.
    Het is zo’n mooi huis.

    Because 'zo’n' contains the indefinite article 'een', adjectives following it for 'het-words' do not take an -e ending.

  • Confusing 'zo' (adverb) with 'zo’n' (determiner).

    Het is zo’n koud.
    Het is zo koud.

    Use 'zo' before an adjective alone. Use 'zo’n' only when a noun follows.

How It Connects

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

zo'n/zulkeLevel 2Zo'n and Zulke

Learn This First

To understand 'zo'n' and 'zulke', you need to know how to use the indefinite article 'een' (since 'zo'n' is a contraction of 'zo een') and how to form plural nouns, as 'zulke' is the plural counterpart. Additionally, since these words often modify noun phrases containing adjectives, familiarity with adjective endings is helpful.

Words in This Pattern

zo'nzulk