How to Pronounce biertje

CEFR level: A1

English: a small beer

Say it like BEER-tyuh

Phonetic breakdown

The word consists of the root 'bier' followed by the diminutive suffix '-tje', which is pronounced with a soft 't' and a schwa sound.

Learners often pronounce the 'tje' ending as a hard 't-jee' instead of the softer, more subtle Dutch diminutive sound.

Using the diminutive 'biertje' is the standard way to order a beer in a social setting, as it sounds more casual and friendly than the formal 'bier'.