vijftien — meaning in English: fifteen

Learn this word with quizzes, examples and more on Maspeak.

Guess the translation for fifteen

telefoon

zondag

schaduwzijden

vijftien

omdat

Skip this question

🎓

Learn Dutch for free

Quizzes, examples, audio & daily challenges. No password needed — just your email.

Start learning →

Already have an account? Log in

neutral very common

Usage

Native Dutch speakers commonly use the word 'vijftien' when discussing age, counting items, or referring to time, such as saying they will meet at fifteen o'clock. It's often heard during casual conversations, in classrooms, or while shopping when asking for prices or quantities.

Synonyms & nuances

'Vijftien' specifically refers to the number fifteen, while 'tien' means ten. It's important to use 'vijftien' when you're referring to anything involving the number fifteen, as using 'tien' would misrepresent the quantity, especially in contexts like counting or age.

Culture

'Vijftien' has its roots in Old Dutch, where numbers were often formed by combining older linguistic elements. In Dutch culture, the number fifteen holds significance as it marks the age of coming-of-age celebrations, such as the 'vijftien' birthday party, known for being a big milestone in a teenager's life.

FAQ

Q.How do you pronounce 'vijftien'?

'Vijftien' is pronounced as 'fife-teen', with a soft 'v' sound at the beginning, similar to the English 'v'.

Q.Are there any common phrases that include 'vijftien'?

Yes, you might hear phrases like 'vijftien jaar oud' meaning 'fifteen years old' or asking about prices like 'Dit kost vijftien euro' which means 'This costs fifteen euros'.

Q.Is 'vijftien' used in formal writing?

'Vijftien' is primarily a neutral term and is appropriate in both spoken and written contexts, including formal writing when discussing numerical data.

Learn dutch with Maspeak →

Dutch Vocabulary