en
/ɛn/
The Dutch word for "and" is en.
en is used to connect two similar words, phrases, et cetera (conj).
Meaning: used to connect two similar words, phrases, et cetera (conj)
Which one should you use?
The most common word for "and" in Dutch is en. The word alsook is a formal way to say "and" in Dutch. The symbol & is used as a shorthand for "and" in informal written language or online conversations.
How do you pronounce it?
/ɛn/
Did you know?
- While en usually means 'and', it can also be used as a negation meaning 'not' in certain archaic or dialectal contexts, derived from the Old Dutch en.
- In many Dutch dialects, particularly in the south, you might hear people replace en with a short n sound, especially when speaking quickly in a sentence.
- In certain formal or rhythmic Dutch texts, such as older poetry, you might encounter the word ende instead of the modern en.
Examples in context
- En waar was jij?And where were you?This sentence shows how to start a question with en.Tatoeba #8503327 by Elsofie, translation #3134058 by Serhiy
- Kom op en vecht.Now come on and fight.This sentence uses en to connect two imperative verbs.Tatoeba #12120808 by megamanenm, translation #5748246 by CM
- En wat vind jij?And what do you think?This sentence demonstrates using en to begin a question.Tatoeba #12771899 by Tom9358, translation #12771900 by Tom9358
- Maria en PeterMaria and Peter
- Ik heb een kat en een hond.I have a cat and a dog.
- Lezen en schrijven zijn belangrijk.Reading and writing are important.
- Hij is goed in wiskunde alsook in natuurkunde.He is good at mathematics as well as physics.
- Ik ga morgen naar de stad en jij?I'm going to the city tomorrow, and you?
- De film was grappig en spannend.The movie was funny and exciting.
- De kat en de hond spelen samen.The cat and the dog are playing together.
- Ik ben je vriend & ik zal er altijd voor je zijn.I am your friend & I will always be there for you.
- 5522 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Noah and Lisa are discussing their shopping list at home.
- NoahHeb je melk en eieren?Do you have milk and eggs?
- LisaJa, en ik heb ook brood.Yes, and I also have bread.
- NoahIs de kaas ook op?Is the cheese also finished?
- LisaNee, de kaas is er nog.No, the cheese is still here.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “and” translations and entries en, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries en, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
