ABSTRACT
A diminutive is a noun derived from another word, usually also a noun, with a special ending that is used to indicate smallness, endearment and other meanings.
The Dutch diminutive ending is -je. The gender of diminutives is always neuter and their plural is formed by the addition of -s. Many words simply add this ending without further change:
het huis the house het huisje little house
het boek the book het boekje little book
de zak the bag het zakje little bag
Note: When s and j are juxtaposed, they form a sh-like sound.
