iets
/its/
The English phrase 'something' is translated into Dutch as iets.
iets is a pronoun used to refer to an unspecified object. It can also function as an adverb meaning 'somewhat' or 'a little bit'.
Meaning: unspecified object (pron)
Which one should you use?
While iets means 'something', you can create common variations by adding other words, such as iets anders for 'something else'.
How do you pronounce it?
/its/
Did you know?
- The root of iets originally meant 'a creature' or 'a being' in Old Dutch, rather than just an abstract 'thing'.
- While iets is neutral, Dutch has a specific opposite niets for 'nothing', and both words share the same historical partitive ending.
Examples in context
- Er is iets mis.Something is wrong.This is useful for stating that something is wrong.Tatoeba #4215814 by megamanenm, translation #1898242 by CK
- Is er iets mis?Is something wrong?This is useful for asking if something is wrong.Tatoeba #7153987 by Micsmithel, translation #323844 by CK
- Er was iets mis.Something was wrong.This is useful for describing a past state of something being wrong.Tatoeba #7154022 by Micsmithel, translation #2171082 by Hybrid
- Goedemorgen, kunt u me helpen?Good morning, can you help me?
- Mag ik alstublieft de menukaart?May I have the menu, please?
- Hoi, kan je me helpen?Hi, can you help me?
- 987 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucas and Julia are sitting in a cafe.
- LucasWil je iets drinken?Do you want to drink something?
- JuliaJa, ik wil graag iets kouds.Yes, I would like something cold.
- LucasIk bestel iets voor ons.I will order something for us.
- JuliaDank je, Lucas.Thank you, Lucas.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “something” translations and entries iets, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries iets, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
