In Dutch, when an adjective comes directly before a noun, it usually adds an E sound to the end. The general rule is straightforward: most adjectives take this extra E. There is only one major exception, which depends on whether the noun is a de-word or a het-word. In this deck, you will learn exactly when to add the E and the single situation where the adjective stays bare.

For all singular common-gender nouns, which take the article 'de', the adjective always takes an E ending. This rule applies whether the noun is introduced by 'de', by 'een', or by a demonstrative like 'deze' or 'die'. For example, 'de stad' means the city, so 'the beautiful city' is 'de mooie stad'. Likewise, 'a beautiful street' is 'een mooie straat', and 'this warm coat' is 'deze warme jas'.