The most common translations for 'such' are _zo'n_ (singular) and _zulke_ (plural). _Dergelijk(e)_ is a more formal way to say the same.
_Zo'n_ and _zulke_
_Zo'n_ and _zulk(e)_ are the Dutch translation for English 'such'.
They can function as demonstrative pronouns and as [exclamative pronouns](#/lesson/Pronouns.Ex01):
"Such skin types are more sensitive to sun light." [demonstrative]
"Such a nice skin you have!" [exclamative]
English | Dutch
such a (singular) | zo'n (from 'zo een')
such (plural) | zulke
such (uncountable) | zulk (het-nouns)
zulke (de-nouns) |
A rarely used and archaic form of _zo'n_ is _zulk een_.
Examples
Singular nouns: _zo'n_
Zo'n vakantie doet je goed. | Such a vacation does one (you) good.
Zij heeft ook zo'n jas. | She also has such a jacket.
Plural nouns: _zulke_
Zulke mensen heb je overal. | You find such people everywhere.
Zulke vlinders vind je niet in Nederland. | You do not find such (that type of) butterflies in the Netherlands.
Uncountable nouns: _zulk_ and _zulke_
[het weer]
Zulk weer hebben we niet vaak. | [the wheather]
We do not often get such wheather.
[de suiker]
Daar gebruikt men zulke suiker voor. | [the sugar]
That is what one uses such (that kind of) sugar for.
Dergelijk
_Dergelijk(e)_ is a slightly more formal version of _zulk_ and _zo'n_.
Een dergelijke vakantie doet je goed. | Such a vacation does one (you) good.
Dergelijke vlinders vind je niet in Nederland. | You do not find such (that type of) butterflies in the Netherlands.
We add _-e_ at the end if we place _dergelijk_ before a _de_-noun.