-eren

From earlier -er, from Middle Dutch -er, the dative plural plural of which was -eren (compare German -ern). The use for all cases in Modern Dutch is probably due to a desire to over-illustrate the plural (that is -er + -en, comparing the dialectal byform -ers). The simple form of the suffix can still be seen in many compounds such as kindertijd, and in the formation of plural diminutives (kindertjes, radertjes). Compare English -ren.

• IPA^(key): /ərə(n)/

-eren

1. forms the plural of a limited group of nouns: blad, been, ei, gelid, gemoed, goed, hoen, kalf, kind, kleed, lam, lied, rad, rund, volk

   ‎kind (“child”) + ‎-eren → ‎kinderen (“children”)

• The two nouns ending in -n interfix an additional -d- before the ending: beenderen, hoenderen.
• The three nouns ending in a single vowel + -d- lengthen the vowel: bladeren, gelederen, raderen.

From Middle Dutch -eren, from Middle French -er or Old French -er, from Latin -āre.

• IPA^(key): /eːrə(n)/

• Audio:

  (file)

-eren

1. part of the infinitive of verbs borrowed mainly from French and Latin, e.g. informeren from French informer (“to inform”).

(This etymology is missing or incomplete. Please add to it, or discuss it at the Etymology scriptorium.)

-eren

1. frequentative verbal suffix; indicating repetition

   Synonym: -elen