Dutch Spelling: Apostrophes, Plurals, and Word Mashing — Explained Clearly

Let’s be real:

Dutch spelling feels like a riddle wrapped in a tongue twister wrapped in glue.

You write babies, get corrected to baby’s.
You write fiets winkel, get a red pen through it: fietswinkel.
You ask why, and someone shrugs:

“Ja… zo is het gewoon.”

Helpful, right?

Let’s finally make sense of this.

Why Dutch Smashes Words Together (A Love Story)

Dutch loves compound words.

If two words belong together in meaning, they fuse like LEGO bricks:

• school + tas = schooltas

• woorden + boek = woordenboek

• fiets + winkel = fietswinkel

This isn’t just cute — it’s efficient.
One word = one concept.

The rule?

If the words describe one idea, they become one word.

Buffer Letters: The Hidden Glue

Sometimes Dutch inserts extra letters between parts of a compound:

• zon + bril = zonnebril

• paard + bloem = paardenbloem

• kind + spel = kinderspel

Why? So it sounds smoother when spoken.

There’s no 100% logic to which glue gets used — just patterns. You’ll learn them faster by seeing lots of real examples instead of memorizing rules.

Apostrophes: When and Why?

Most learners think Dutch uses apostrophes like English.
It doesn’t.

✅ Use apostrophes when:

• A loanword or abbreviation ends in a vowel → to clarify pronunciation

Examples:

• baby’s (not babys)

• foto’s (not fotos)

• pc’s, CV’s, FAQ’s

This keeps the pronunciation clear.

Think: “Will this word look weird without it?”
If yes, use the apostrophe.

❌ Do not use apostrophes for normal plurals

English: The dog’s are barking → ❌
Dutch: De hond’s zijn hier → ❌

Just:

• hond → honden

• tafel → tafels

• stoel → stoelen

No apostrophe. No drama.

Possessives: When Apostrophes Do Happen

Dutch can use apostrophes for names that end in a vowel:

• Anna’s fiets

• Timo’s tas

• Opa’s bril

But often, you’ll see:

• de fiets van Anna

• de tas van Timo

So yes, both forms exist — but if the name ends in a vowel, an apostrophe helps clarity.

Plurals That Confuse Everyone

Here’s a quick guide:

Reddit user tip:
“Just learn the word with its plural from the start. Saves you pain later.”

Dutch Spelling Apps Often Skip the Why

Many language apps just tell you the answer.
They don’t explain why baby’s is right and babys is wrong.
Or why school vakantie is actually schoolvakantie.

That’s where learners hit the wall.

Dodo to the Rescue

Dodo’s Spelling & Compounds Trainer gives you:

✅ Sentence-based compound word challenges
✅ Real-world examples (no nonsense like de eend draagt een jurk)
✅ Apostrophe placement quizzes
✅ Quick grammar tips when you mess up
✅ Visual reinforcement so the rules stick

It’s spelling — gamified and explained clearly.

What Does This Mean for You?

• Stop writing Dutch like English

• Learn compounds as one glued concept

• Apostrophes = clarity, not style

• Plurals have patterns — and exceptions you can beat

• Dodo gives you daily spelling practice that doesn’t feel like homework

You’ve Got This

Soon, you’ll write:

• Ik koop een zonnebril bij de fietswinkel. Ze verkopen ook baby’s sokken.

No red pen. No second guessing. Just clean, confident Dutch.

P.S. Want to master compound words, plurals, and apostrophes once and for all?

👉 Download Dodo and play the Spelling Challenge.
Make Dutch spelling your superpower.