Culture & Etiquette

1. It Frysk

   Frisian (West Frisian)

   Usage

   The language spoken in Fryslân for a very long time and an official language of the province. It is a separate language from Dutch. Language names are capitalised

   Grammar Note

   The adjective form is fryske in lowercase, and Fryske in capitals when it is part of a proper name

2. De Fryske flagge

   The Frisian flag

   Usage

   A flag of diagonal blue and white bands with seven red pompeblêden (water-lily leaves). The seven refers to the Sân Seelannen. It is widely flown on provincial buildings and at festivals

   Grammar Note

   Flagge takes the article de (de flagge). Fryske is capitalised as part of the proper name

3. It pompeblêd

   Pompeblêd (water-lily leaf)

   Usage

   The leaf of the yellow water lily, shown in red on the Frisian flag. It is a symbol of Fryslân and often appears on souvenirs and logos, usually drawn as a heart-shaped leaf

   Grammar Note

   Pompeblêd is written as one word, with the plural pompeblêden. The article is it

4. It Frysk hynder

   The Friesian horse

   Usage

   The oldest native horse breed of the Netherlands, known for its black coat and long mane. Frisian hynder means "horse". The article is it

   Grammar Note

   The adjective Frysk is capitalised as part of the breed name. Hynder is an it noun

5. It skûtsje

   Skûtsje (traditional Frisian sailing barge)

   Usage

   A wooden or steel flat-bottomed boat that once carried cargo, now used for sailing races and cruises. A symbol of Fryslân. The article is it

   Grammar Note

   The û is u with a circumflex. Skûtsje ends in the diminutive suffix -je

6. De terp

   Terp (artificial dwelling mound)

   Usage

   An artificial mound built along the coast to escape floods, with a village or church on top. They dot Fryslân's flat landscape

   Grammar Note

   Terp takes the article de. The plural is terpen

7. It keatsen

   Keatsen (Frisian handball game)

   Usage

   A traditional hand-hit ball game played in Frisian villages in summer. A keatser is a player. It corresponds to Dutch kaatsen

   Grammar Note

   The noun use of the verb keatse. The spelling differs from Dutch kaatsen

8. It reedriden

   Skating on natural ice

   Usage

   Skating on frozen canals and lakes. A winter pleasure in Fryslân and the basis of the Alvestêdetocht. The verb is reedride

   Grammar Note

   A compound of reed (skate) and riden (riding), written as one word

9. De Fryske Akademy

   The Fryske Akademy

   Usage

   A research institute in Ljouwert that produces dictionaries and corpora of Frisian, including online dictionaries. Akademy is part of the proper name and is written unchanged

   Grammar Note

   Akademy is the Frisian spelling corresponding to Dutch academie. The article is de

10. Omrop Fryslân

    Omrop Fryslân (regional broadcaster)

    Usage

    The public regional broadcaster of Fryslân, with radio and television. Broadcasts are mainly in Frisian. Omrop means "broadcaster"

    Grammar Note

    Omrop Fryslân is a proper name and is written unchanged

11. Gysbert Japiks

    Gysbert Japiks (17th-century poet)

    Usage

    A Frisian poet and writer born in Boalsert in 1603, who was also a schoolmaster (died 1666). He is regarded as a founding figure of Frisian literature

    Grammar Note

    A personal name; keep its spelling. Frisian Wikipedia writes Japiks

12. Mata Hari

    Mata Hari (dancer born in Ljouwert)

    Usage

    Born in Ljouwert in 1876 and died in France in 1917. She was famous as a dancer. In Malay the name means "eye of the day"

    Grammar Note

    A personal name, a stage name from Malay

13. Eise Eisinga

    Eise Eisinga (builder of the planetarium)

    Usage

    Wool carder and amateur astronomer, born in Dronryp in 1744 and died in Frjentsjer in 1828. He built the planetarium in his own house

    Grammar Note

    A personal name; keep its spelling

14. Fryslân boppe

    Fryslân boppe ("Friesland above all")

    Usage

    The refrain of the Frisian folk song, sung as the anthem of the province. Literally "Fryslân above". Boppe means "above"

    Grammar Note

    Boppe is an adverb meaning "above"

15. Wolkom yn Fryslân!

    Welcome to Fryslân!

    Usage

    A way to welcome a traveller. Wolkom means "welcome" and yn means "in"

    Grammar Note

    Place the name after yn. Do not drop the â at the end

16. Wolle jo in kopke tee?

    Would you like a cup of tea?

    Usage

    A polite way to offer tea to a visitor. Jo is the polite "you" and takes the plural verb wolle. To a close friend you would say Wolsto in kopke tee?

    Grammar Note

    Polite jo takes the plural verb (jo wolle). Kopke is the diminutive of kop (cup)

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