IJ
The phrase IJ refers to a specific digraph used in the Dutch alphabet that represents a sound similar to the English letter i.
Which one should you use?
The digraph ij is distinct from the Dutch digraph ui, which represents a different vowel sound similar to the 'ou' in 'house' but produced with rounded lips.
How does it change in a sentence?
When writing a word that begins with this digraph in uppercase, both letters are typically capitalized as IJ rather than writing it as Ij.
Did you know?
- The digraph ij has a close relative in the letter y. In many older texts, you will see 'y' used where a modern Dutch speaker would now write 'ij', making them historical twins.
- The digraph ij is often treated as a single letter when sorting or even when calculating scores in games like Scrabble. This can make many Dutch words look shorter or more compact than they appear to an English speaker.
Examples in context
- De letter IJ staat in het alfabet.The letter IJ is in the alphabet.
- Schrijf de IJ met een hoofdletter.Write the IJ with a capital letter.
Example conversation
Julia and Daan are talking about the weather.
- JuliaIs het vandaag koud buiten?Is it cold outside today?
- DaanJa, er ligt zelfs wat ijs op de weg.Yes, there is even some ice on the road.
- JuliaDat is gevaarlijk voor de auto.That is dangerous for the car.
- DaanKlopt, we moeten voorzichtig zijn.Correct, we have to be careful.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries IJ, ij, CC BY-SA 4.0.
