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Dutch frequency list

No. 1 in Dutch

de

"The" (definite article).

In a sentence

  • De kat slaapt op de mat.

    The cat sleeps on the mat.

    Here, 'de' is used as the definite article for the noun 'kat' (cat), which is a common gender noun, and for 'mat' (mat), which is also common gender.

  • De leraar geeft uitleg over de les.

    The teacher explains the lesson.

    In this sentence, 'de' is the definite article for both 'leraar' (teacher) and 'les' (lesson), emphasizing their status as specific entities in context.

  • De bomen in het park zijn oud.

    The trees in the park are old.

    The word 'de' serves as the definite article for the plural noun 'bomen' (trees), applicable to all plural nouns regardless of gender in Dutch.

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