windmolen
/ˈʋɪntˌmoːlə(n)/masculine
The English word 'windmill' is windmolen in Dutch.
While windmolen is the specific term for a windmill, the word molen is often used alone to refer to any mill, including windmills or watermills. Additionally, the related verb molenwieken means to rotate with a sweeping motion.
Meaning: structure (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word windmolen is a compound of 'wind' (wind) and 'molen' (mill).
Is it said differently in some regions?
In the province of Groningen and other northern regions, the term Poldermolen is used to refer to a type of windmill that drains water from polders.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of windmolen is windmolens. The noun is masculine.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈʋɪntˌmoːlə(n)/
Did you know?
- Dutch windmills traditionally used the position of their wieken (sails) to communicate messages, such as announcing a birth, a death or a wedding.
- While windmolen refers to the structure, the term molentaal is used metaphorically to describe the specific, sometimes archaic, jargon used by millers.
- The term molen is used in the Dutch expression molenbeker, referring to a specific type of large glass used in some traditional cafes.
Examples in context
- Ik had nog nooit een windmolen gezien totdat ik Nederland bezocht.I had never seen a windmill until I visited the Netherlands.This sentence shows the use of windmolen in the context of visiting the Netherlands.Tatoeba #2963889 by Globetrotter, translation #64825 by CK
- Op de heuvel staat een windmolen.There is a windmill on the hill.This sentence illustrates the location of a windmolen.Tatoeba #13694011 by carlosalberto, translation #3260275 by CM
- Ik ga naar de molen om bloem te kopen.I'm going to the windmill to buy flour.
- De wieken van de molen draaien snel in de wind.The rotor blades of the windmill are spinning fast in the wind.
- Heb je die prachtige stellingmolen in de buurt gezien?Have you seen that beautiful stellingmolen nearby?
- Die oude windmolen is erg groot.That old windmill is very large.
Example conversation
Julia and Daan are walking through a Dutch landscape.
- JuliaKijk, daar staat een mooie windmolen!Look, there is a beautiful windmill!
- DaanJa, die windmolen is echt indrukwekkend.Yes, that windmill is really impressive.
- JuliaZullen we naar de molen toe lopen?Shall we walk towards the mill?
- DaanDat lijkt me een goed plan, Julia.That sounds like a good plan, Julia.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “windmill” translations and entries windmolen, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
