How to Say "Pond" in Dutch - How To Say Guide

vijver

/ˈvɛi̯vər/masculine

The Dutch word for pond is vijver.

The word vijver refers to a small lake.

Meaning: small lake (noun)

Which one should you use?

The phrase grote plas is used specifically as a name to refer to the Atlantic Ocean.

The word vijver is a masculine noun and takes the definite article de (de vijver). To form the plural, add an -s to get vijvers.

/ˈvɛi̯vər/

The word vijver comes from the Latin word vīvārium, which referred to a place for keeping animals alive.
In the Netherlands, many historic vijvers were originally designed as 'fish ponds' for monasteries or estates to ensure a steady supply of protein during Lent.
In Dutch, the word plas can mean a 'puddle' or a 'pond', but using vijver specifically implies a more managed or artificial body of water.

De vijver is bevroren.
The pond is frozen.
This sentence shows how to describe a frozen vijver.
Tatoeba #8735460 by MarijnKp, translation #7298693 by Hybrid
De vijver is opgedroogd.
The pond has dried up.
This sentence shows how to describe a vijver that has dried up.
Tatoeba #717179 by martinod, translation #277294 by CK
We wandelden rondom de vijver.
We walked around the pond.
This sentence shows an activity performed around a vijver.
Tatoeba #743235 by martinod, translation #249066 by CK
De poel wordt omringd door bomen.
The pond is surrounded by trees.
Laten we naar de vijver gaan en naar de eenden kijken.
Let's go to the pond and watch the ducks.
Ik heb heerlijk gezwommen in de plas.
I had a wonderful swim in the pond.
Wat een schattig vijvertje!
What a cute little pond!
26 more sentences on Tatoeba

Julia and Noah are sitting on a bench in a park.

Sources

Wiktionary, “pond” translations and entries vijver, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
Word origins: Wiktionary entries vijver, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.

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