wat ... betref

As for: Wat ... Betref

Level 4

Wat X betref means as for X: Wat my betref, is dit reg. (As far as I am concerned, it is fine.)

How It Works

1. The pattern. Put a noun or pronoun between wat and betref:

  • Wat my betref, is dit reg. (As far as I am concerned, it is fine.)
  • Wat die prys betref, is ons nog nie seker nie. (As for the price, we are not sure yet.)

A pronoun takes its object form, because it is what the matter concerns: wat my betref, wat hulle betref.

2. Word order. The phrase usually comes first. In careful Afrikaans it fills first place, so the verb follows right after the comma (see verb second): Wat die kos betref, sorg ek vir die poeding. In lively speech, especially in exclamations, you may also hear the subject first after the comma.

3. In the middle. The phrase can also sit inside the sentence between commas: Die hotel was, wat die ligging betref, perfek.

4. Other ways to say it. Wat ... aangaan and wat ... aanbetref mean the same, and so does sover dit ... betref. English as for is never as vir.

Examples (5)

  1. Wat my betref, is dit reg.

    As far as I am concerned, it is fine.

    Word by Word: What me concerns, is it right.

  2. Wat die prys betref, is ons nog nie seker nie.

    As for the price, we are not sure yet.

    Word by Word: What the price concerns, are we yet not sure not.

  3. Wat die kos betref, sorg ek vir die poeding.

    As for the food, I'll take care of the dessert.

    Word by Word: What the food concerns, care I for the pudding.

  4. Die hotel was, wat die ligging betref, perfek.

    As far as the location goes, the hotel was perfect.

    Word by Word: The hotel was, what the location concerns, perfect.

  5. Wat haar broer aangaan, weet ek niks nie.

    As for her brother, I don't know anything.

    Word by Word: What her brother concerns, know I nothing not.

    Wat ... aangaan means the same as wat ... betref.

Common Mistakes

  • Using the subject pronoun.

    Wat ek betref, is dit reg.
    Wat my betref, is dit reg.

    The person is what the matter concerns, so the pronoun takes its object form: my, hom, haar, ons, hulle.

  • Translating as for word for word.

    As vir my, is dit reg.
    Wat my betref, is dit reg.

    Afrikaans does not say as vir for as for. Use wat ... betref, or sover dit my betref.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

wat ... betrefLevel 4As for: Wat ... Betref

Learn This First

Wat ... betref introduces a topic at the start of a sentence.

Words in This Pattern

betrefwat