ze

Forms

ze (unstressed form of zij; also used as an object form)^[1][2]

Etymology

It is inherited from Middle Dutch se, the unstressed form of si, modern zij, which also took over the functions of the accusative and dative.^[3][4][2][5] Old Frisian se was likewise used as an accusative.^[4][2]

The feminine singular si matches Old High German si and Gothic 𐍃𐌹 (si), and is related outside Germanic to Old Irish sí.^[5] The plural developed in Middle Dutch from an older sie, under the influence of wi (“we”) and gi (“you”); compare Old Dutch sia, Old Saxon sia and Old High German sie (modern German sie).^[5]

Earliest recorded meaning

Unstressed se, mostly attached to the preceding word, is recorded from 1350, for both the singular and the plural.^[3][6][7]

Semantic evolution

As the unstressed form, ze serves for both “she” and “they”, and also as an object form beside haar, hen and hun.^[3][2][1] It can stand for people in general, like men, as in ze zeggen dat… “they say that…”, and it appears as an empty object in informal formulas such as maf ze! “sleep well”.^[1]

Through zij and ze the pronoun passed into Javindo (as sij and se) and Chinese Malay.^[8]

Timeline

• 1350 – Unstressed Middle Dutch se is first recorded.^[3][6]

Meanings

Pronoun

1. she, unstressed: Ze komt morgen.^[1][7]
2. (informal) her: Ik heb ze gisteren gezien, of a woman.^[1]
3. they, unstressed: Ze wonen hier al jaren.^[1][7]
4. them: Ik heb ze in de kast gelegd.^[1][7]
5. As an empty object in set formulas: maf ze!^[1]
6. People in general, one: Ze zeggen dat het gaat sneeuwen.^[1]

Related words

• zij
• haar
• hen
• hun
• German sie

References

1. ^ a b c d e f g h i Van Dale Groot woordenboek hedendaags Nederlands (2014), Utrecht / Antwerpen: Van Dale Uitgevers
2. ^ a b c d Franck, Johannes; Wijk, Nicolaas van (1912), Franck's Etymologisch woordenboek der Nederlandsche taal, 2nd ed., 's-Gravenhage: Nijhoff
3. ^ a b c d Veen, P. A. F. van; Sijs, Nicoline van der (1997), Etymologisch woordenboek: de herkomst van onze woorden, 2nd ed., Utrecht / Antwerpen: Van Dale Lexicografie
4. ^ a b Vries, Jan de (1971), Nederlands etymologisch woordenboek, Leiden: Brill
5. ^ a b c Vries, Matthias de; Winkel, L. A. te, et al. (1882–1998), Woordenboek der Nederlandsche Taal, 29 vols., 's-Gravenhage / Leiden: Nijhoff / Sijthoff / SDU; supplement 2001; gtb.ivdnt.org
6. ^ a b Sijs, Nicoline van der (2001), Chronologisch woordenboek: de ouderdom en herkomst van onze woorden en betekenissen, Amsterdam / Antwerpen: Veen
7. ^ a b c d WikiWoordenboek (Dutch Wiktionary), nl.wiktionary.org
8. ^ Sijs, Nicoline van der (2010), Nederlandse woorden wereldwijd, Den Haag: Sdu; with additions from the Uitleenwoordenbank (2015)