Dutch adjectives

This file defines the Dutch adjective as a lexical entry and the rule for its attributive ending. An entry is the root Adjective with the form it takes with the attributive ending -e, where it takes one. By Broekhuis and Corver's grammar an attributive adjective takes the ending unless its noun phrase is indefinite and its head noun a neuter singular or a neuter non-count noun: de oude stoel 'the old chair', een oude stoel, het oude paard 'the old horse', but een oud paard. An adjective ending in a schwa or in the long vowel written a, o or i, oranje 'orange', prima 'excellent', and a substance adjective in -en, gouden 'golden', never takes the ending. The suffix -heid derives a common-gender noun from an adjective, roodheid 'redness'. The entries are the colour, taste and evaluative adjectives whose three forms McNally and de Swart compare, with the grammar's examples of the ending and its exceptions.

Main definitions

• Dutch.Adjectives.Adjective: the entry.
• Dutch.Adjectives.attributive: the attributive form of an adjective before a noun.
• Dutch.Adjectives.heid: the derived noun in -heid.

Main results

• Dutch.Adjectives.attributive_indefinite_neuter_singular: the one cell of the grammar's table with no ending.
• Dutch.Adjectives.oud_paard: een oud paard, het oude paard, oude paarden.

Implementation notes

• The forms of the grammar's summary table, one per definiteness, gender and number, with number neutralized for a non-count noun, are the values of attributive. The exceptions are entries with no inflected form rather than derived from the spelling, since the rule is phonological. A substance adjective is also attributive-only and non-gradable, and the entry records the latter with no scalar dimension.
• Which adjectives lack a noun in -heid is not recorded, since the paper says only that not all adjectives take the suffix, so heid is total.

References

• H. Broekhuis and N. Corver, Syntax of Dutch, Volume VI: Adjectives and Adjective Phrases (2026)
• L. McNally and H. de Swart, Inflection and Derivation: How Adjectives and Nouns Refer to Abstract Objects (2011)

structure Dutch.Adjectives.Adjectiveextends Adjective : Type

A Dutch adjective is the root entry with its form with the attributive ending -e, where it takes one.

• form : String
• script : Option String
• dimension : Option Degree.ScalarDimension
• polarity : Polarity
• comparison : Comparison
• antonymForm : Option String
• inflected : Option String

  The form with the attributive ending -e, none for an adjective that never takes it.

@[instance_reducible]

instance Dutch.Adjectives.instDecidableEqAdjective : DecidableEq Adjective

Equations

• Dutch.Adjectives.instDecidableEqAdjective = Dutch.Adjectives.instDecidableEqAdjective.decEq

def Dutch.Adjectives.instDecidableEqAdjective.decEq (x✝ x✝¹ : Adjective) : Decidable (x✝ = x✝¹)

Equations

• One or more equations did not get rendered due to their size.

@[instance_reducible]

instance Dutch.Adjectives.instReprAdjective : Repr Adjective

Equations

• Dutch.Adjectives.instReprAdjective = { reprPrec := Dutch.Adjectives.instReprAdjective.repr }

def Dutch.Adjectives.instReprAdjective.repr : Adjective → ℕ → Std.Format

Equations

• One or more equations did not get rendered due to their size.

def Dutch.Adjectives.Adjective.Declines (a : Adjective) : Prop

An adjective declines when it has a form with the attributive ending.

Equations

• a.Declines = (a.inflected.isSome = true)

@[instance_reducible]

instance Dutch.Adjectives.instDecidableDeclines (a : Adjective) : Decidable a.Declines

Equations

• Dutch.Adjectives.instDecidableDeclines a = Dutch.Adjectives.instDecidableDeclines._aux_1 a

def Dutch.Adjectives.TakesEnding (d : Reference.Definiteness) (g : Gender.Value) (n : Number) : Prop

An attributive adjective takes the ending unless its noun phrase is indefinite and its head noun neuter and not plural.

Equations

• Dutch.Adjectives.TakesEnding d g n = (d = Reference.Definiteness.definite ∨ g = Dutch.Gender.Value.common ∨ n = Number.plural)

@[instance_reducible]

instance Dutch.Adjectives.instDecidableTakesEnding (d : Reference.Definiteness) (g : Gender.Value) (n : Number) : Decidable (TakesEnding d g n)

Equations

• One or more equations did not get rendered due to their size.

def Dutch.Adjectives.attributive (a : Adjective) (d : Reference.Definiteness) (g : Gender.Value) (n : Number) : String

attributive a d g n is the form of a before a noun of gender g and number n in a noun phrase of definiteness d: the inflected form where the adjective declines and the phrase takes the ending, and the bare form otherwise.

Equations

• Dutch.Adjectives.attributive a d g n = match a.inflected with | some f => if Dutch.Adjectives.TakesEnding d g n then f else a.form | none => a.form

theorem Dutch.Adjectives.attributive_of_not_declines {a : Adjective} (h : ¬a.Declines) (d : Reference.Definiteness) (g : Gender.Value) (n : Number) : attributive a d g n = a.form

An adjective that does not decline keeps its form.

@[simp]

theorem Dutch.Adjectives.attributive_definite (a : Adjective) (g : Gender.Value) (n : Number) : attributive a Reference.Definiteness.definite g n = a.inflected.getD a.form

In a definite noun phrase the ending is always present.

@[simp]

theorem Dutch.Adjectives.attributive_common (a : Adjective) (d : Reference.Definiteness) (n : Number) : attributive a d Gender.Value.common n = a.inflected.getD a.form

Before a noun of common gender the ending is always present.

@[simp]

theorem Dutch.Adjectives.attributive_plural (a : Adjective) (d : Reference.Definiteness) (g : Gender.Value) : attributive a d g Number.plural = a.inflected.getD a.form

Before a plural noun the ending is always present.

@[simp]

theorem Dutch.Adjectives.attributive_indefinite_neuter_singular (a : Adjective) : attributive a Reference.Definiteness.indefinite Gender.Value.neuter Number.singular = a.form

Before a neuter singular or non-count noun in an indefinite noun phrase the ending is absent.

def Dutch.Adjectives.heid (a : Adjective) : String

heid a is the noun in -heid derived from a, which is of common gender.

Equations

• Dutch.Adjectives.heid a = a.form ++ "heid"

The grammar's examples

def Dutch.Adjectives.oud : Adjective

oud 'old' is the adjective of the grammar's tables of the ending.

Equations

• Dutch.Adjectives.oud = { form := "oud", dimension := some Degree.ScalarDimension.age, inflected := some "oude" }

def Dutch.Adjectives.lekker : Adjective

lekker 'tasty' is the adjective of the grammar's table for non-count nouns.

Equations

• Dutch.Adjectives.lekker = { form := "lekker", dimension := some Degree.ScalarDimension.taste, inflected := some "lekkere" }

def Dutch.Adjectives.oranje : Adjective

oranje 'orange' ends in a schwa and does not decline, een oranje jas 'an orange coat'.

Equations

• Dutch.Adjectives.oranje = { form := "oranje", dimension := some Degree.ScalarDimension.color }

def Dutch.Adjectives.prima : Adjective

prima 'excellent' ends in the long vowel written a and does not decline.

Equations

• Dutch.Adjectives.prima = { form := "prima", dimension := some Degree.ScalarDimension.quality }

def Dutch.Adjectives.albino : Adjective

albino 'albino' ends in the long vowel written o and does not decline.

Equations

• Dutch.Adjectives.albino = { form := "albino" }

def Dutch.Adjectives.kaki : Adjective

kaki 'khaki' ends in the long vowel written i and does not decline.

Equations

• Dutch.Adjectives.kaki = { form := "kaki", dimension := some Degree.ScalarDimension.color }

def Dutch.Adjectives.houten : Adjective

houten 'wooden' is a substance adjective in -en, attributive-only and non-gradable, de houten kom 'the wooden bowl' but not de kom is houten.

Equations

• Dutch.Adjectives.houten = { form := "houten" }

def Dutch.Adjectives.gouden : Adjective

gouden 'golden' is a substance adjective like houten.

Equations

• Dutch.Adjectives.gouden = { form := "gouden" }

theorem Dutch.Adjectives.oud_paard : attributive oud Reference.Definiteness.indefinite Nouns.paard.gender Number.singular = "oud" ∧ attributive oud Reference.Definiteness.definite Nouns.paard.gender Number.singular = "oude" ∧ attributive oud Reference.Definiteness.indefinite Nouns.paard.gender Number.plural = "oude"

The neuter paard takes the bare form in an indefinite singular phrase only, een oud paard, het oude paard, oude paarden.

theorem Dutch.Adjectives.oud_stoel : attributive oud Reference.Definiteness.indefinite Nouns.stoel.gender Number.singular = "oude" ∧ attributive oud Reference.Definiteness.definite Nouns.stoel.gender Number.singular = "oude"

The common-gender stoel always takes the ending, een oude stoel, de oude stoel.

theorem Dutch.Adjectives.lekker_bier_rijst : attributive lekker Reference.Definiteness.indefinite Nouns.bier.gender Number.singular = "lekker" ∧ attributive lekker Reference.Definiteness.definite Nouns.bier.gender Number.singular = "lekkere" ∧ attributive lekker Reference.Definiteness.indefinite Nouns.rijst.gender Number.singular = "lekkere"

A non-count noun patterns with the singular, lekker bier, het lekkere bier, lekkere rijst.

theorem Dutch.Adjectives.oranje_jas_gouden_ring : attributive oranje Reference.Definiteness.indefinite Nouns.jas.gender Number.singular = "oranje" ∧ attributive gouden Reference.Definiteness.definite Nouns.ring.gender Number.singular = "gouden"

The exceptions keep their form before a common-gender noun, een oranje jas, de gouden ring.

The adjectives of McNally and de Swart

The colour and taste adjectives whose uninflected nominal, het rood 'the red', inflected nominal, het rode van de aardbeien 'the red of the strawberries', and derived nominal, de roodheid 'the redness', the paper compares, and the evaluative and concrete adjectives with which it contrasts the availability of the inflected nominal.

def Dutch.Adjectives.rood : Adjective

rood 'red'.

Equations

• Dutch.Adjectives.rood = { form := "rood", dimension := some Degree.ScalarDimension.color, inflected := some "rode" }

def Dutch.Adjectives.wit : Adjective

wit 'white'.

Equations

• Dutch.Adjectives.wit = { form := "wit", dimension := some Degree.ScalarDimension.color, inflected := some "witte" }

def Dutch.Adjectives.groen : Adjective

groen 'green'.

Equations

• Dutch.Adjectives.groen = { form := "groen", dimension := some Degree.ScalarDimension.color, inflected := some "groene" }

def Dutch.Adjectives.geel : Adjective

geel 'yellow'.

Equations

• Dutch.Adjectives.geel = { form := "geel", dimension := some Degree.ScalarDimension.color, inflected := some "gele" }

def Dutch.Adjectives.blauw : Adjective

blauw 'blue'.

Equations

• Dutch.Adjectives.blauw = { form := "blauw", dimension := some Degree.ScalarDimension.color, inflected := some "blauwe" }

def Dutch.Adjectives.zwart : Adjective

zwart 'black'.

Equations

• Dutch.Adjectives.zwart = { form := "zwart", dimension := some Degree.ScalarDimension.color, inflected := some "zwarte" }

def Dutch.Adjectives.roze : Adjective

roze 'pink' ends in a schwa and does not decline.

Equations

• Dutch.Adjectives.roze = { form := "roze", dimension := some Degree.ScalarDimension.color }

def Dutch.Adjectives.mauve : Adjective

mauve 'mauve' ends in a schwa and does not decline.

Equations

• Dutch.Adjectives.mauve = { form := "mauve", dimension := some Degree.ScalarDimension.color }

def Dutch.Adjectives.lila : Adjective

lila 'lilac' ends in the long vowel written a and does not decline.

Equations

• Dutch.Adjectives.lila = { form := "lila", dimension := some Degree.ScalarDimension.color }

def Dutch.Adjectives.bitter : Adjective

bitter 'bitter'.

Equations

• Dutch.Adjectives.bitter = { form := "bitter", dimension := some Degree.ScalarDimension.taste, inflected := some "bittere" }

def Dutch.Adjectives.zoet : Adjective

zoet 'sweet'.

Equations

• Dutch.Adjectives.zoet = { form := "zoet", dimension := some Degree.ScalarDimension.taste, inflected := some "zoete" }

def Dutch.Adjectives.zuur : Adjective

zuur 'sour'.

Equations

• Dutch.Adjectives.zuur = { form := "zuur", dimension := some Degree.ScalarDimension.taste, inflected := some "zure" }

def Dutch.Adjectives.zout : Adjective

zout 'salty'.

Equations

• Dutch.Adjectives.zout = { form := "zout", dimension := some Degree.ScalarDimension.taste, inflected := some "zoute" }

def Dutch.Adjectives.vreemd : Adjective

vreemd 'strange', an evaluative adjective whose inflected nominal is frequent, het vreemde van dit boek 'the strange thing about this book'.

Equations

• Dutch.Adjectives.vreemd = { form := "vreemd", dimension := some Degree.ScalarDimension.unspecified, inflected := some "vreemde" }

def Dutch.Adjectives.gezond : Adjective

gezond 'healthy', an evaluative adjective like vreemd.

Equations

• Dutch.Adjectives.gezond = { form := "gezond", dimension := some Degree.ScalarDimension.unspecified, inflected := some "gezonde" }

def Dutch.Adjectives.leuk : Adjective

leuk 'nice'.

Equations

• Dutch.Adjectives.leuk = { form := "leuk", dimension := some Degree.ScalarDimension.quality, inflected := some "leuke" }

def Dutch.Adjectives.bijzonder : Adjective

bijzonder 'special'.

Equations

• Dutch.Adjectives.bijzonder = { form := "bijzonder", dimension := some Degree.ScalarDimension.unspecified, inflected := some "bijzondere" }

def Dutch.Adjectives.dicht : Adjective

dicht 'closed', the negative pole of openness, whose inflected nominal is marginal, het dichte van deze doos 'the closed thing about this box'.

Equations

• Dutch.Adjectives.dicht = { form := "dicht", dimension := some Degree.ScalarDimension.openness, polarity := Polarity.negative, antonymForm := some "open", inflected := some "dichte" }

def Dutch.Adjectives.inventory : List Adjective

inventory lists the entries.

Equations

• One or more equations did not get rendered due to their size.

theorem Dutch.Adjectives.not_declines_iff (a : Adjective) : a ∈ inventory → (¬a.Declines ↔ a.form.toList.getLast? ∈ [some 'e', some 'a', some 'o', some 'i'] ∨ ['e', 'n'] <:+ a.form.toList ∧ ¬∃ v ∈ ['a', 'e', 'i', 'o', 'u'], [v, 'e', 'n'] <:+ a.form.toList)

The entries that do not decline are exactly those ending in a schwa, in the long vowel written a, o or i, or in -en after a consonant.

theorem Dutch.Adjectives.heid_rood : heid rood = "roodheid"

roodheid 'redness'.