mijn vriend
/mɛi̯n vrint/word by word
The Dutch phrase for "my friend" is mijn vriend.
mijn vriend refers to a person with whom one has a bond of mutual affection and trust. However, because this phrase can be ambiguous, it is often used to mean "my boyfriend" in certain contexts. To avoid being misunderstood and to specify that you are talking about a platonic friend rather than a romantic partner, Dutch speakers often use the alternative phrase vriend(in) van mij (a friend of mine).
Which one should you use?
The phrase mijn vriend can mean both "my friend" and "my boyfriend" depending on the context. Similarly, the feminine form mijn vriendin can mean both "my female friend" and "my girlfriend".
Is it said differently in some regions?
In the Amsterdam dialect, the word gabber is used to refer to a friend. In the South Limburg dialect, makker is used to address a friend.
How does it change in a sentence?
If you are referring to a female friend, use the feminine form mijn vriendin. For the plural form, "my friends", use mijn vrienden.
Did you know?
Examples in context
- Is ze mijn vriend?Is she my friend?This sentence is useful for asking if she is mijn vriend.Tatoeba #13936510 by Pepermolen15, translation #2684434 by rul
- Bob is mijn vriend.Bob is my friend.This sentence is useful for stating that Bob is mijn vriend.Tatoeba #383973 by Dorenda, translation #33182 by CN
- Hij is mijn vriend.He is my friend.This sentence is useful for stating that he is mijn vriend.Tatoeba #453992 by Citrine, translation #298009 by CH
- Hoe gaat het, mijn vriend?How are you, my friend?
- Bedankt voor je hulp, mijn goede vriend.Thank you for your help, my good friend.
- Hee, maat! Wat gaan we vandaag doen?Hey, mate! What are we doing today?
- Hoe gaat het, vriendje? Heb je zin om te spelen?How are you, little friend? Do you feel like playing?
- Kom op, makker! We moeten op tijd vertrekken.Come on, friend! We have to leave on time.
- 124 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Emma is introducing Noah to someone.
- EmmaKijk, dit is mijn vriend Noah.Look, this is my friend Noah.
- NoahHallo, leuk om je te ontmoeten.Hello, nice to meet you.
- EmmaNoah is mijn vriend van school.Noah is my friend from school.
- NoahDat is heel leuk.That is very nice.
Sources
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (mijn, vriend) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries mijn, vriend, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
