wat (betrekkelijk)

Relative Pronoun (Indefinite)

Level 3

While 'die' and 'dat' refer to specific nouns, 'wat' is used for vague, abstract, or clausal references (e.g., 'everything that...', 'something that...', or 'which' referring to a whole situation).

How It Works

In Dutch, choosing the right relative pronoun depends on the antecedent. While die and dat are used for specific de and het nouns, wat is the standard and preferred form in these specific scenarios:

  • Indefinite Pronouns: After words like alles (everything), al (all), iets (something), niets (nothing), veel (much), and weinig (little). While dat is grammatically possible, wat is the standard choice.
  • Demonstratives: After dat and datgene (that which) to avoid the repetitive construction "dat dat".
  • Substantivized Neuter Adjectives: After adjectives used as nouns in a general sense, such as het leuke (the nice thing). While wat is most frequent for abstract references, dat is also common and acceptable here.
  • Bare Neuter Superlatives: When a superlative is used as a noun (e.g., het leukste wat...). Wat is the preferred form, though dat is also allowed.
  • Entire Clauses: When referring to a whole situation or previous statement. In this case, wat must be preceded by a comma.
  • Independent Relative: When there is no antecedent, meaning "that which" or "the thing that" (e.g., Wat ik wil, is rust).

Important Restrictions and Prepositions:

  • Referring to People: Wat is never used to refer to people. For an independent relative referring to people (meaning "whoever"), use wie. If a relative pronoun follows a preposition and refers to a person, you must use preposition + wie (e.g., de man met wie...).
  • Prepositions with Antecedents: If there is an antecedent (like alles), wat cannot follow a preposition. You must use a pronominal adverb instead (e.g., alles waarover hij praat).
  • Prepositions without Antecedents: In independent relative clauses where there is no antecedent, you can use a preposition directly before wat (e.g., Ik luister naar wat je zegt).
  • Register: Using wat for specific het-words (e.g., het huis wat...) is common in informal speech but is considered incorrect in formal writing; use dat instead.

Like all relative pronouns, wat triggers subordinate word order.

Examples (6)

  1. Alles wat hij zegt, is waar.

    Everything that he says is true.

    Word by Word: Everything what he says, is true.

    After indefinite pronouns like 'alles', 'wat' is the standard and preferred relative pronoun, though 'dat' is occasionally seen.

  2. Dat is het mooiste wat ik ooit heb gezien.

    That is the most beautiful thing I have ever seen.

    Word by Word: That is the most-beautiful what I ever have seen.

    While 'wat' is the most common choice after a superlative used as a noun, 'dat' is also grammatically acceptable.

  3. Hij is ziek, wat ik erg jammer vind.

    He is sick, which I find very unfortunate.

    Word by Word: He is sick, what I very pity find.

    When 'wat' refers back to an entire clause, it must be preceded by a comma.

  4. Wat je daar zegt, klopt niet helemaal.

    What you are saying there isn't entirely correct.

    Word by Word: What you there say, clicks not entirely.

    This is an independent relative: 'wat' is used without a preceding noun or pronoun to mean 'that which'.

  5. Datgene wat hij beloofde, is niet gebeurd.

    That which he promised has not happened.

    Word by Word: That-which what he promised, is not happened.

    The formal demonstrative 'datgene' is followed by 'wat' to avoid the repetitive 'dat dat' construction.

  6. De man met wie ik sprak, was erg aardig.

    The man with whom I spoke was very nice.

    Word by Word: The man with whom I spoke, was very nice.

    When referring to people after a preposition, you must use 'wie' instead of 'wat' or a pronominal adverb.

Common Mistakes

  • Using 'wat' for specific neuter (het) nouns.

    Het boek wat ik lees is spannend.
    Het boek dat ik lees is spannend.

    If the antecedent is a specific noun (like 'het boek'), you must use 'dat'. 'Wat' is only for indefinite or abstract references.

  • Omitting the relative pronoun.

    Alles ik weet is dit.
    Alles wat ik weet is dit.

    In English, we often drop 'that' (Everything I know). In Dutch, the relative pronoun 'wat' can never be omitted.

  • Using 'wat' after a superlative followed by a noun.

    Het mooiste liedje wat ik ken.
    Het mooiste liedje dat ik ken.

    If a noun (liedje) follows the superlative, the noun determines the pronoun. Since 'liedje' is a 'het-word', we use 'dat'.

How It Connects

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wat (betrekkelijk)Level 3Relative Pronoun (Indefinite)

Learn This First

To use 'wat' as a relative pronoun, you must first understand that relative clauses in Dutch use subordinate word order (verbs at the end). It is also helpful to be familiar with standard relative pronouns like 'die' and 'dat', as 'wat' is a specific case used for indefinite antecedents like 'iets' (something), 'niets' (nothing), or superlatives.

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