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Dutch loanwords in Italian

After article about Italian words used in the Dutch language have ended up, it is now time for Dutch loanwords used in Italian. Because it should be clear that our own language has also had an influence in some areas abroad, including in Italy!

Even though there are a lot less Dutch loanwords in Italian than the other way around, there are still a number of striking words to be found.

Some words have been taken directly into Italian, including original Dutch spelling, but most words have been slightly adapted to Italian or translated literally into Italian.

Netherlands, waterland

Especially words that have to do with the water (landscape), for which the Netherlands is known in many other countries, have been integrated into the Italian language. Well-known examples are dam (dyke) and polder (indeed, polder).

A subject that naturally fits well with this is shipping. Because the Netherlands was (and still is) very important in shipping, many words related to this are originally Dutch.

Words like:

  • yacht (from hunting)
  • port (port)
  • starboard (starboard)
  • bomb presso (bowsprit)
  • galley (kabuys or galley)
  • drift (to conduct), hoist (hoist)
  • pump (pump)
  • en skipper (skipper or ship)

This are examples of Dutch loanwords that were incorporated into Italian hundreds of years ago and are still used today.

'Natural morta'

The article on Italian loanwords states that many Italian words from the art world have been adopted into Dutch, but that is also the case the other way around.

  • An example of this is kind morta, which is the literal translation of 'still life'.
  • The word dummy (from the old Dutch word 'mannekijn') is via the French mannequin ended up in the Italian language.

Other Italian words of Dutch origin are:

  • rampart (bulwark)
  • boss (boss)
  • plachable (to stick)
  • en Exchange (stock market)

Do you know more Dutch loanwords in Italian? Leave them in a comment!

Written by Yoell Schutte

For years I have been completely in love with Italy. Sunny holidays, an educational school trip to Rome and Florence and an Italian uncle ensured that I came into contact with this beautiful country at a young age. My love for language made me sign up for an Italian language course in 2009, after which I chose to study Italian language and culture. During this bachelor I did an internship in Naples for more than four months, where I got a taste of real Italian life. After my bachelor I did the master in Translation, which mainly focused on translating from Italian into Dutch. Now I am taking my first steps in the world of translation.

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