molen
/ˈmoː.lə(n)/
The Dutch word for mill is molen.
molen refers specifically to the building that houses a grinding apparatus. For the action of grinding or processing something using a machine, use the verb malen.
Meaning: building housing a grinding apparatus (noun)
Which one should you use?
While molen is the noun for the building itself, malen is the verb used to describe the actual process of grinding.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of molen is molens.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈmoː.lə(n)/. The word has two syllables, with the stress on the first syllable.
Did you know?
- In the Netherlands, the position of a molen's sails can communicate messages, such as joy for a birth or mourning for a death.
- Certain molen structures in the Netherlands are built on a movable base, allowing the entire building to be rotated to face the wind.
- In Dutch, the verb malen can also be used figuratively to describe a person 'grinding' or obsessing over a thought, much like 'ruminating' in English.
Examples in context
- Deze molen wordt nog gebruikt.This mill is still in use.This sentence shows how to express that a molen is still being used.Tatoeba #12529568 by Tom9358, translation #12529567 by Tom9358
- De molenaar tekende zijn molen.The miller drew his mill.This sentence uses molen to describe what a miller drew.Tatoeba #12947829 by Tom9358, translation #12947831 by Tom9358
- We waren bij de molen, dicht bij het hennepveld.We were at the mill, near the hemp field.This sentence describes being located near a molen.Tatoeba #8416724 by Elsofie, translation #1021791 by U2FS
- Heb je die molen gezien?Have you seen that mill?
- Ja, het is een prachtige molen!Yes, it's a beautiful mill!
- In Flanders gebruiken ze vaak het woord "meule" in plaats van "molen."In Flanders, they often use the word "meule" instead of "molen."
- Ze gingen naar het platteland en bezochten het molentje aan de rivier.They went to the countryside and visited the small mill by the river.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucas and Lisa are walking through a field in the countryside.
- LucasKijk, daar staat een oude molen.Look, there is an old mill standing there.
- LisaWat een mooie molen is dat!What a beautiful mill that is!
- LucasZullen we naar die molen toe lopen?Shall we walk towards that mill?
- LisaJa, dat lijkt me een leuk plan.Yes, that sounds like a fun plan.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “mill” translations and entries molen, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
