You are now about to learn one of the most fascinating Dutch grammar rules: The rule regarding the connecting elements -s. Quite frankly, it is hardly worth the qualification 'rule':
we use the connecting -s in written language,
if it is also used in spoken language
This is the _official_ guideline. Even Dutch native speakers, this is far from evident. Since there is not always a 100% agreement among the more than 20 million Dutch speakers about the presence of the connecting _s_, some compound words can be written both with and without an _s._ This is the consequence of basing a linguistic rule on spoken language.
Although the use of the connecting -s seems quite random, there are a few nouns that always take a connecting -s when they consitute the first part of a compound noun:
- Verb-based nouns that end in unstressed -ing
de verdediging + de linie | de verdedigingslinie | the defense line
de betaling + het verkeer | het betalingsverkeer | the ' payment traffic'
de begroting + het tekort | het begrotingstekort | the budget deficit
- Verb-based nouns that end in unstressed -er. Many of the non-verb based nouns ending in unstressed -er also use the connecting -s.
de arbeider + de partij | de arbeiderspartij | the labour (workers) party
de beginner + het geluk | het beginnersgeluk | the beginner's luck
de ondernemer + de zin | de ondernemerszin | the entrepreneurial spirit
- Diminutives
het meisje + de kleding | de meisjeskleding | the girls clothes
het pakje + de avond | (de) pakjesavond | St. Nicholas Eve (Dutch holiday)
het sprookje + het bos | het sprookjesbos | the fairy tale woods
A few tips
I repeat my advice: Use a spellchecker! Now suppose your compound noun is not mentioned in the dictionary. In this case, the Nederlandse Taalunie has a few tips for you:
- Check your dictionary for a compound noun that begins with the same word. If a connecting -s is used for this word, then you should also use it for your unlisted compound noun. If the connecting -s is not used, then you should not use it either.
- Things will get really confusing if you find several mentionings of compound nouns that begin with the same word as your compound noun, but some of them _with_ and some of them _without_ a connecting -s. If this is the case, use the most frequently mentioned form. In other words, use a connecting -s if most compound nouns in the dictionary that begin with the same word get a connecting -s.
- Check the internet for the most frequently used form.
- Use your 'taalgevoel', your language intuition (certainly most helpful).