echtgenoot
/ˈɛ(xt)xəˌnoːt/masculine
The English phrase husband is translated into Dutch as echtgenoot. Wiktionary also lists man.
Meaning: male partner in marriage (noun)
Ways to say it
| Dutch | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| echtgenoot | /ˈɛ(xt)xəˌnoːt/ | masculine |
| man | /mɑn/ | masculine |
While man is the most common way to say husband in daily conversation, echtgenoot is used for more precise or formal meanings.
Which one should you use?
Man literally means 'man', but it is the most common way to say 'husband' in everyday conversation. In contrast, echtgenoot is a more formal and technical term for 'husband' or 'spouse', often used in legal or official contexts.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In certain areas of the Netherlands, such as Rotterdam, the phrase Mijn ouwe is used as a regional way to refer to one's husband.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural of man is mannen, which can mean both 'husbands' and 'men'. The plural of echtgenoot is echtgenoten.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈɛ(xt)xəˌnoːt/
Did you know?
- In the Netherlands, a person might refer to their husband as mijn ouwe which literally translates to 'my old one'.
- The word echtgenoot is a compound of echt, meaning 'true' or 'real', and genoot, meaning 'companion'.
- The Dutch word man is a cognate of the English word 'man' and shares the same Proto-Germanic root *mann-.
Examples in context
- Is dat uw man?Is that your husband?This sentence is useful for asking if a specific person is someone's man.Tatoeba #7455482 by MarijnKp, translation #7453377 by CK
- Toms man is bi.Tom's husband is bisexual.This sentence uses man to describe a husband's sexual orientation.Tatoeba #8619620 by Elsofie, translation #8594154 by shekitten
- Is je man thuis?Is your husband at home?This sentence uses man to ask about a husband's location.Tatoeba #1401200 by DjWLaan, translation #1192252 by mookeee
- Mijn man en ik gaan dit weekend op vakantie.My husband and I are going on vacation this weekend.
- Hoe gaat het vandaag, manlief?How are you doing today, honey?
- Mijn vent heeft vanavond gekookt.My guy cooked tonight.
- Mijn ouwe is vanavond uit met zijn vrienden.My husband is out with his friends tonight.
- Mijn man is fantastisch!My husband is fantastic!
- Ik hou van jou, manlief.I love you, honey.
- Mijn vent maakt de beste koffie.My guy makes the best coffee.
- 167 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Daan and Emma are filling out official forms at a government office.
- DaanMoet ik hier de naam van mijn echtgenoot invullen?Should I fill in my husband's name here?
- EmmaJa, dat klopt. Vul zijn volledige naam in.Yes, that's correct. Fill in his full name.
- DaanIk weet niet zeker of mijn echtgenoot dit wil.I'm not sure if my husband wants this.
- EmmaDat is een vereiste voor dit formulier, Daan.That is a requirement for this form, Daan.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “husband” translations and entries echtgenoot, man, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries echtgenoot, man, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
