How to Pronounce The Hague

Meaning and Context

The Hague, known in Dutch as 's-Gravenhage or Den Haag, is the administrative capital of the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the seat of its government, parliament, and supreme court. While Amsterdam is the constitutional national capital, The Hague's global prominence stems from its pivotal role in international law and diplomacy. It is home to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and the International Criminal Court (ICC), alongside over 200 other international organizations, earning it the moniker "the world's legal capital." The city beautifully blends its political gravitas with cultural and historical appeal, featuring landmarks like the medieval Binnenhof complex, the Peace Palace, and the Mauritshuis museum, which houses Vermeer's "Girl with a Pearl Earring." Its location in the province of South Holland, near the North Sea coast at the popular resort of Scheveningen, adds a distinctive maritime character to this center of Dutch governance and global justice.

Common Mistakes and Alternative Spellings

The primary point of confusion lies not in misspelling "Hague" itself, but in the use and translation of the city's official Dutch names. The full formal name is 's-Gravenhage, often abbreviated in common Dutch usage to Den Haag. In English, "The Hague" is universally correct and should always include the definite article "The," capitalizing both words. Common errors include omitting "The" (e.g., "visiting Hague"), which is grammatically incorrect in English, or misspelling it as "The Hauge." The Dutch abbreviation "Den Haag" is also frequently seen in international contexts. Furthermore, the district of Scheveningen, the city's beach resort, is famously difficult for non-native speakers to pronounce, but its correct spelling is important for local SEO and geographical accuracy.

Example Sentences

Many diplomats and international lawyers are based in The Hague due to its concentration of global judicial institutions.

A visit to The Hague is incomplete without seeing the iconic Peace Palace, which symbolizes the city's commitment to international arbitration.

Although the Dutch monarchy works from The Hague, the official capital, as stated in the constitution, remains Amsterdam.

Tourists often enjoy a day cycling from the historic Binnenhof to the sandy beaches of Scheveningen in The Hague.

The International Court of Justice in The Hague adjudicates disputes between sovereign states.

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