ezel
/ˈeː.zəl/masculine
The English word "donkey" is translated into Dutch as ezel.
ezel refers to the domestic animal. Metaphorically, much like in English, you can use ezel to call someone a fool or an idiot.
Meaning: a domestic animal (noun)
Which one should you use?
Ezeltje is an informal diminutive form of ezel.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of ezel is ezels.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has two syllables with the stress on the first syllable: /ˈeː.zəl/.
Did you know?
- In Dutch, the word ezel is used for both the animal and the wooden tripod used by artists to hold a canvas.
- Dutch has a specific word for a donkey's bray, ezelsbrul, which can be used metaphorically to describe a loud and unpleasant voice.
- The word ezel shares the same Latin ancestor, asellus, as the English word 'ass'.
Examples in context
- Ik heb een ezel.I have a donkey.This sentence demonstrates the use of ezel to indicate possession.Tatoeba #7611577 by MarijnKp, translation #7538261 by CK
- Een ezel is grijs.A donkey is gray.This sentence is useful for describing the color of an ezel.Tatoeba #7491622 by MarijnKp, translation #3693316 by andrewgtreantos
- In tijden van nood maken we zelfs een ezel de koning.When in times of need, we make even a donkey the king.This sentence shows the metaphorical use of ezel in a proverb or saying.Tatoeba #6167811 by Raizin, translation #2570268 by sabretou
- Ik zag een schattig ezeltje in de dierentuinI saw a cute little donkey at the zoo
- 4 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Levi and Sophie are visiting a farm.
- LeviKijk Sophie, daar staat een ezel!Look Sophie, there is a donkey!
- SophieWat een schattige ezel is dat.What a cute donkey that is.
- LeviMag ik de ezel voeren?May I feed the donkey?
- SophieVraag het eerst aan de boer.Ask the farmer first.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “donkey” translations and entries ezel, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ezel, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
