daarmee/hiermee

Daarmee, Hiervoor, Daarover

Level 3

In Dutch, you usually cannot say 'with it' or 'about that' when referring to objects or ideas. Instead, you combine a locative adverb (hier, daar, er) with a preposition to form a single word like 'daarmee' (with that) or 'hiervoor' (for this).

How It Works

Dutch syntax requires a special construction when a preposition refers to a non-human object (a thing, a situation, or an abstract concept). Instead of using a pronoun like het or dat after a preposition, you normally use a pronominal adverb.

1. The Formula:
Locative Adverb (hier/daar/er/waar) + Preposition = Pronominal Adverb.

  • Hier- (this): Used for things you are holding or focusing on.
  • Daar- (that): Used for things further away or for emphasis.
  • Er- (it): The most common, neutral form.
  • Waar- (what/which): Used for questions.

2. Special Forms:
Two prepositions change their form when attached:

  • met becomes -mee (e.g., daarmee).
  • tot becomes -toe (e.g., hiertoe).

3. Word Order:
These words are written as one word when they are together, but in natural sentences, they often split. The hier/daar/er part stays early in the sentence, while the preposition moves toward the end.

Examples (5)

  1. Ik ben het daarmee eens.

    I agree with that.

    Word by Word: I am it there-with agreed.

    Here, 'daarmee' replaces 'met dat' to refer to a previously mentioned statement.

  2. Wat wil je hiervoor hebben?

    What do you want for this?

    Word by Word: What want you here-for have?

    Using 'hiervoor' indicates the speaker is referring to something close by, like an object they are holding.

  3. We hebben daar lang over gepraat.

    We talked about that for a long time.

    Word by Word: We have there long about talked.

    This shows the 'split' word order where 'daar' and 'over' are separated by other words.

  4. Ik kan er niet mee stoppen.

    I cannot stop with it.

    Word by Word: I can there not with stop.

    A split version of 'ermee'. 'Er' is the neutral way to say 'it' when referring to an activity or object.

  5. Hij is daarnaar op zoek.

    He is looking for that.

    Word by Word: He is there-to on search.

    The preposition 'naar' combines with 'daar' to refer to the object of a search.

Common Mistakes

  • Using 'met het' or 'over dat' for objects.

    Ik ben blij met het.
    Ik ben er blij mee.

    Native speakers almost never use a preposition followed by 'het' or 'dat' for things. You must use the pronominal adverb form.

  • Using pronominal adverbs for people.

    Ik praat daarmee.
    Ik praat met hem.

    Pronominal adverbs like 'daarmee' are strictly for things. For people, you must use the standard 'preposition + pronoun' structure.

  • Forgetting to change 'met' to 'mee'.

    Ik schrijf daarmet.
    Ik schrijf daarmee.

    When 'met' is attached to hier/daar/er/waar, it always changes to 'mee'.

How It Connects

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

daarmee/hiermeeLevel 3Daarmee, Hiervoor, Daarover

Learn This First

To understand 'daarmee' and 'hiermee', you need to know the basic demonstrative adverbs 'hier' and 'daar', as well as common prepositions like 'met', 'voor', and 'over'. This pattern is the standard Dutch way to refer to objects using a preposition, replacing the 'preposition + pronoun' structure found in English.

Words in This Pattern

hiermee