maan
/maːn/feminine, masculine
The English word "moon" is translated into Dutch as maan.
The word maan refers to the natural satellite of planet Earth. When referring specifically to the sole natural satellite of the Earth as a proper name, it is written as Maan.
Meaning: the natural satellite of planet Earth (noun)
Which one should you use?
When referring specifically to Earth's natural satellite as a proper name, the word is capitalized as Maan.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The word maan can be treated as either a feminine or masculine noun.
How do you pronounce it?
/maːn/
Did you know?
- The Dutch phrase met de maan in het hoofd is used to describe someone who is eccentric or slightly crazy.
- Despite its similarity to the English 'moon', maan is an ancient word descending from the Proto-Indo-European root *mḗh₁n̥s, which is also the ancestor of the English word 'month'.
- The Dutch word maan can be found in the term maankalender, a lunar calendar used by gardeners to determine the best time for planting.
Examples in context
- De maan was vol.The moon was full.This sentence shows how to describe the moon being full using maan.Tatoeba #10108029 by Raizin, translation #5757801 by CM
- De maan is helder.The moon is bright.This sentence uses maan to describe the moon as bright.Tatoeba #3959336 by lonepawn, translation #1779858 by Spamster
- Kijk naar de maan.Look at the moon.This sentence uses maan in the context of looking at the moon.Tatoeba #3959346 by lonepawn, translation #2648775 by CK
- Gisteren was er een volle maan.Yesterday, there was a full moon.
- De astronauten bestudeerden verschillende hemellichamen, waaronder de maan.The astronauts studied various celestial bodies, including the moon.
- Onder een heldere sterrenhemel verscheen een schattig maantje.Under a clear starry sky, a cute little moon appeared.
- 112 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Levi and Sophie are sitting in the garden at night.
- LeviKijk Sophie, de maan is prachtig.Look Sophie, the moon is beautiful.
- SophieJa, de maan ziet er echt groot uit.Yes, the moon looks really big.
- LeviZal ik de maan fotograferen?Shall I photograph the moon?
- SophieDat lijkt me een goed idee, Levi.That sounds like a good idea, Levi.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “moon” translations and entries maan, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries maan, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
