Nouns: Genitive Case — Dutch Grammar

The genitive case indicates possession, origin, or a specific relationship between nouns. While historically Dutch had a complex system of case endings, the full genitive case is now considered archaic. In modern usage, it has largely been replaced by the preposition or a simple suffix attached to names. However, remnants of the old system survive in time expressions and fixed phrases.

Using the Preposition 'van'

The most standard way to express possession or relationship for regular nouns is to use the preposition of. This structure places the possessed object first, followed by , and then the owner.

Dit is de auto van de buurman.
This is the car of the neighbor.
De hoofdstad van Frankrijk is Parijs.
The capital of France is Paris.
De kleur van de muur is wit.
The color of the wall is white.

The Possessive -s (Names and Family)

For proper names and family members, Dutch uses an -s suffix. This functions similarly to the English 's, but the spelling rules differ.

If the name ends in a consonant or a short vowel, simply add -s without an apostrophe.

Jans fiets is kapot.
Jan's bicycle is broken.
Vaders hoed ligt op tafel.
Father's hat is lying on the table.

If the name ends in a long vowel (a, i, o, u, y), use an apostrophe followed by s ('s) to prevent the vowel from being pronounced as short.

Anna's boek is nieuw.
Anna's book is new.
Otto's auto is snel.
Otto's car is fast.

If the name already ends in an s-sound (s, x, z), simply add an apostrophe.

Max' huis is groot.
Max's house is big.

Time Expressions

The old genitive case is still actively used in expressions of time to indicate repetition or specific parts of the day. These phrases often begin with 's (a contraction of the archaic article ) and the noun receives an -s suffix.

Ik werk 's maandags niet.
I do not work on Mondays.
De winkel is 's avonds open.
The shop is open in the evening.
's Winters is het koud.
In the winter it is cold.

Note that when a sentence begins with 's, the second word is capitalized, not the 's itself.

Fixed Expressions and Formal Usage

You will encounter the archaic genitive articles (masculine/neuter) and (feminine/plural) in official titles, proverbs, and set phrases. In these structures, masculine and neuter nouns often take an -s ending.

Koninkrijk der Nederlanden.
Kingdom of the Netherlands.
In de loop der jaren.
In the course of the years.
De tand des tijds.
The ravages of time (literally: the tooth of time).

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