tulp
/tʏlp/feminine
The Dutch word for tulip is tulp.
tulp is the standard noun used to refer to the tulip plant.
Meaning: plant (noun)
Which one should you use?
While tulp is the standard form, you may encounter the informal term tulpjes when speakers want to use a gentler tone to refer to tulips.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word tulp is a feminine noun.
How do you pronounce it?
/tʏlp/
Did you know?
- In the 1630s, the Dutch obsession with the tulp became so extreme that single bulbs were traded for the price of an entire house in a period known as 'Tulip Mania'.
- Despite the tulp being the global symbol of the Netherlands, the flower was actually introduced to the Dutch from the Ottoman Empire.
- The word tulp is a linguistic relative of the word 'turban'. Both terms originate from a Persian word for a head-wrap because the shape of the flower resembles a folded turban.
Examples in context
- Ik kreeg een prachtig boeket tulpjes van mijn Nederlandse vriend.I received a beautiful bouquet of tulips from my Dutch friend.
- Nederland staat bekend om zijn prachtige tulpenvelden.The Netherlands is famous for its stunning fields of tulips.
- De tulp is erg mooi.The tulip is very beautiful.
- Ik heb een rode tulp gekocht.I bought a red tulip.
- Zet de tulp in de vaas.Put the tulip in the vase.
Example conversation
Emma and Lucas are in a flower shop.
- LucasKijk, deze tulp is prachtig!Look, this tulip is gorgeous!
- EmmaJa, hij heeft een mooie kleur.Yes, it has a beautiful color.
- LucasZullen we deze voor jou kopen, Emma?Shall we buy this one for you, Emma?
- EmmaGraag, dat is een lief gebaar.Yes please, that is a sweet gesture.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “tulip” translations and entries tulp, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries tulp, CC BY-SA 4.0.
