frisian

Everyday

1. Frisian means from or belonging to Friesland or the Frisian Islands, a region along the North Sea coast in the Netherlands and Germany. tree →
2. Frisian is the language spoken there; it is the closest living language to English. tree →
3. A Frisian (or Friesian) is also a breed of black-and-white dairy cow, or a black horse breed. tree →

In the lessons

In language and history lessons, Frisian is interesting because it is English's closest relative; a saying goes «Bread, butter and green cheese is good English and good Frisian». In farming, black-and-white Friesian cows (Holstein-Friesians) give lots of milk. Phrases: «the Frisian language», «Frisian Islands», «Friesian cow».

Examples

• Frisian is spoken in the north of the Netherlands. tree →
• Frisian is the closest language to English. tree →
• The Frisian Islands lie in the North Sea. tree →
• The farm has a herd of black-and-white Friesian cows. tree →
• A Frisian horse is tall, black and shiny. tree →
• Old English and Frisian were once very similar. tree →

Note

A name: written with a capital F. For cows, the spelling Friesian is more common; for the language, Frisian. Say «FRIZH-un» or «FREE-zhun».