shirt

§ Basic Usage of 'Shirt'

The Dutch word for 'shirt' is, well, 'shirt'. Easy enough, right? Just like in English, it's a common piece of clothing. Let's look at how we use it in basic sentences.

DEFINITION

A piece of clothing for the upper body

In Dutch, 'shirt' is a neuter noun, which means it uses the article 'het'. So, you'll always say 'het shirt'.

Translation hint: I wear the shirt.

Translation hint: Where is the shirt?

§ Describing Your Shirt

You'll often want to describe your shirt. When you add an adjective (a describing word) before 'shirt', the adjective gets an '-e' ending.

Translation hint: I have a blue shirt. (Note: 'blauw' + 'e')

Translation hint: She is wearing a new shirt. (Note: 'nieuw' + 'e')

§ Talking About Multiple Shirts (Plural)

When you have more than one shirt, the plural form of 'shirt' is 'shirts'. The article for plural nouns is always 'de'.

Translation hint: I have three shirts.

Translation hint: The shirts are clean.

§ Using Prepositions with 'Shirt'

Prepositions tell us about the position or relationship of the shirt. Here are some common ones you might use.

• Op (on/on top of):

  Het logo staat op het shirt.

  Translation hint: The logo is on the shirt.

• In (in):

  Er zit een vlek in mijn shirt.

  Translation hint: There is a stain in my shirt.

• Onder (under):

  Ik draag een hemd onder mijn shirt.

  Translation hint: I wear an undershirt under my shirt.

§ Possessive Pronouns with 'Shirt'

To say 'my shirt', 'your shirt', etc., you use possessive pronouns. Remember 'shirt' is neuter, so for 'my', you use 'mijn'. For 'your' (informal singular), you use 'jouw'. For 'his/her/its', you use 'zijn/haar/zijn'.

• Mijn shirt (my shirt):

  Mijn shirt is nieuw.

  Translation hint: My shirt is new.

• Jouw shirt (your shirt - informal singular):

  Is dat jouw shirt?

  Translation hint: Is that your shirt?

• Zijn shirt (his/its shirt):

  Zijn shirt is groen.

  Translation hint: His shirt is green.

• Haar shirt (her shirt):

  Haar shirt is rood.

  Translation hint: Her shirt is red.

§ Common Phrases with 'Shirt'

Here are some useful phrases you can use in daily conversation.

• Een shirt aantrekken (to put on a shirt):

  Ik trek een shirt aan.

  Translation hint: I put on a shirt.

• Een shirt uittrekken (to take off a shirt):

  Hij trekt zijn shirt uit.

  Translation hint: He takes off his shirt.

• Een schoon shirt (a clean shirt):

  Ik heb een schoon shirt nodig.

  Translation hint: I need a clean shirt.