The form -ke(n) is the original Dutch diminutive suffix, cognate with standard German -chen and regional German -ken. The modern standard Dutch -tje and its variants are derived from -ke(n) through palatalisation.
-ken n (plural -kens)
- Alternative form of
- (colloquial, regional, Northern Germany, Westphalia) used to make diminutives
- Häusken ‑ little house
- Dörfkes ‑ small villages
- After stops, particulary after k, a linking -s- is often inserted: Pack → Päcksken (see Päckchen (“parcel”)).
- Sometimes an old linking -e- is also preserved: Mann → Männeken (see derived terms below).
- Häusken, Herzken, Käffken, Mädken, Mäusken, Pülleken
- See also: Category:German words suffixed with -ken