ei
/ɛi̯/neuter
The Dutch word for egg is ei.
ei refers to the edible egg of a domestic fowl, or the contents of such eggs used as food.
Meaning: edible egg of a domestic fowl, the contents of such an egg or eggs used as food (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of ei is eieren.
How do you pronounce it?
/ɛi̯/
Did you know?
- Dutch people use the word ei in the phrase dat is een ei van Columbus, which refers to a surprisingly simple solution to a complex problem.
- Dutch distinguishes between the physical shell and the contents using ei, but refers to the process of hatching as uitkomen, meaning 'to come out' of the ei.
- The word ei is part of the name for the traditional Dutch breakfast dish uitsmijter, which consists of fried eieren with ham and cheese.
Examples in context
- Ik heb een ei.I have an egg.This sentence is useful for saying you have an ei.Tatoeba #7928041 by MarijnKp, translation #262179 by CK
- Dit is een ei.This is an egg.This sentence is useful for identifying that something is an ei.Tatoeba #7928049 by MarijnKp, translation #1761900 by Dejo
- Bak me een ei.Fry me an egg.This sentence is useful for asking someone to fry an ei for you.Tatoeba #7928073 by MarijnKp, translation #2766914 by CK
- Ik wil graag een ei bestellen, alstublieft.I would like to order an egg, please.
- Zou u wat eieren voor mij kunnen kopen?Could you buy some eggs for me?
- Kan je even een ei voor me bakken?Could you cook an egg for me, please?
- Ik heb zo'n zin in een ei!I'm really craving an egg!
- 44 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lisa and Daan are having breakfast in the kitchen.
- LisaWil je ook een ei, Daan?Do you also want an egg, Daan?
- DaanJa, graag een zachtgekookt ei.Yes, a soft-boiled egg, please.
- LisaIk maak het voor je klaar.I will prepare it for you.
- DaanDank je wel, Lisa.Thank you, Lisa.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “egg” translations and entries ei, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
