Hello, you have come here looking for the meaning of the word
maatje. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
maatje, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
maatje in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
maatje you have here. The definition of the word
maatje will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition of
maatje, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
English
Etymology
Borrowed from Dutch maatje.
Noun
maatje (plural maatjes)
- A fermented herring.
1987, David Butcher, Following the fishing:The maatje herrin' were very popular over in Germany. That was a very light cure with just a fine sprinkling o' salt.
1997, John Bayley, The red hat:[…] with Charles making quite a good shot at playing the obliging husband, I seized the chance of buying and eating a maatje.
Dutch
Etymology 1
Diminutive of maat + -je. Compare English matey.
Noun
maatje n (plural maatjes)
- maatjesharing, a young herring
- (literally) a small maat:
- a small size, measure etc.
- a young or tiny mate
- also used as an informal address for a male
Descendants
See also
Etymology 2
Diminutive of ma (“mom”) + -tje.
Noun
maatje n (plural maatjes)
- Diminutive of ma