Blad

leaf, sheet, tray, magazine, newspaper [noun] [het blad, de bladen/bladeren; diminutive: blaadje]

In the meaning of ‘leaf’, the plural form ends in ‘-eren’ (just like the plural form of ‘ei’, see 22. Ei.
In all other meanings the plural ends in ‘-en’.

"Bladeren" is also a verb, meaning "to thumb, to leaf", e.g. "door een
boek bladeren" ("to thumb/leaf through a book").

In general the noun ‘blad’ is associated with flat shapes.

Examples:
1. "De veelheid aan kleuren van de bladeren in de herfst is prachtig!"
("In autumn, the multitude of coloured leaves is beautiful!")

2. "Bladmuziek": sheet music.

3. "Dienblad": (serving) tray.

4. "Ik ben op drie bladen geabonneerd."
("I am subscribed to three magazines.")

5. "Vandaag schrijven alle bladen over de uitslag van de verkiezingen."
("Today, all newspapers write about the election’s outcome.")

6. "Tafelblad": tabletop.

Expressions:
1. "Een blaadje bier": tray of beer.
"Na de wedstrijd nam de trainer voor de spelers een blaadje bier mee de kleedkamer in."
("After the match, the coach brought the players a tray of beer in the changing room.")

2. "Hij neemt geen blad voor de mond".
Translates to: "He really speaks out".

2 thoughts on “Blad

  1. Sander, I thought that “krant” was newspaper. Is there a difference in terms or are they two words for the same thing? Knowing Dutch, it’s probably some minute subletly that non-native-Dutch speakers can’t easily grasp in order to use proper words and grammar 😉

  2. “Blad” in the meaning of newspaper is actually a derivation from the word “dagblad”.
    “Dag” means “day”, and a “dagblad” is a paper that is published daily.
    However, for all normal uses of the word “newspaper” it is best to use “krant”.

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