banaan
/baːˈnaːn/feminine
The English word banana is banaan in Dutch. Wiktionary also lists pisang and bacove.
Meaning: fruit (noun)
Ways to say it
| Dutch | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| banaan | /baːˈnaːn/ | feminine |
| pisang | /piˈsɑŋ/ /ˈpi.sɑŋ/ |
Netherlands, dated, feminine, masculine |
| bacove | /baːˈkoː.və/ /ˈbaː.koː.və/ |
Suriname |
The term refers to the edible fruit. It is a feminine noun.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Suriname, the word bacove is used. In the Netherlands, the word pisang is a dated term that can be either masculine or feminine.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of banaan is bananen.
How do you pronounce it?
/baːˈnaːn/
Did you know?
- The Surinamese term bacove traces its origins back to the Old Tupi language of Brazil via the Portuguese word 'pacoba'.
- If you use the word pisang in a modern Dutch supermarket, you might sound like you are reading from an antique botanical textbook rather than shopping for snacks.
Examples in context
- Ik eet een banaan.I am eating a banana.This sentence shows how to use banaan to describe the act of eating the fruit.Tatoeba #3959147 by lonepawn, translation #671764 by aikidave
- Ik ben een banaan.I am a banana.This sentence demonstrates the use of banaan in a simple identity statement.Tatoeba #3959150 by lonepawn, translation #3682681 by Vortarulo
- Wil je een banaan?Would you like a banana?This sentence provides an example of using banaan when offering the fruit to someone.Tatoeba #3959174 by lonepawn, translation #3390709 by CK
- Kunt u mij alstublieft een banaan geven?Could you please give me a banana?
- Ik eet graag banaantjes als tussendoortje.I enjoy eating bananas as a snack.
- 36 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Sophie and Noah are preparing a fruit salad.
- SophieHeb jij nog een banaan?Do you have another banana?
- NoahJa, er ligt er nog een.Yes, there is still one.
- SophieKan je die banaan snijden?Can you cut that banana?
- NoahNatuurlijk, ik doe het nu.Of course, I will do it now.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “banana” translations and entries banaan, pisang, bacove, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bacove, banaan, pisang, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
