Grammatica - loco

7
Nouns
64
7.5.3.1
Adverbs are the most notable example of words other than nouns that
have this potential; the ending used is -jes (with phonetic variants -tjes
and -pjes). Its function is one of toning down the intensity of meaning. In
the spoken language it is still somewhat productive (see 10.7.2):
eventjes just a minute stilletjes quietly, secretively
gezelligjes cosily stiekempjes secretively
knusjes cosily strakjes in a moment
losjes loosely warmpjes warmly
netjes neatly zachtjes quietly, softly
Het is hier erg knusjes, hè?
It is very cosy here, isn’t it?
Wat is het hier frisjes!
It’s a bit on the cold side here.
Wij zitten er warmpjes bij. (fig.)
We’re well-off.
7.5.3.2
A limited number of adjectives can take a diminutive ending and thus
function as nouns (see 9.6.1). Such forms more often than not refer to
people, e.g.:
een dom blondje ‘a dumb blond’, mijn grootje ‘my granny’,
de kleintjes ‘the little ones (children or things)’, een nieuwtje
‘a piece of news’, de oudjes ‘the oldies/old people’
7.5.3.3
Numerals can also take the ending in certain expressions; ‘on my/your/his
own’ etc. is always in m’n/je/z’n eentje. A more familiar form of met z’n
tweeën/drieën etc. is met z’n tweetjes/drietjes etc. (see 10.7.2). Also: Geef
me (er) nog eentje ‘Give me another one’.