waar + Preposition

Relative with Preposition

Level 3

In standard Dutch, a preposition is not normally followed by wat (e.g., 'over wat') when the clause refers to a thing or a situation. Instead, combine waar with the preposition (e.g., waarover) to refer to things or entire situations.

How It Works

This pattern is essential for intermediate Dutch. It replaces the English 'preposition + which' or 'what... preposition' structure.

1. Formation Rules:

  • Fusion: The words combine into one: waar + van = waarvan. Like the words hier, daar, and er, waar ends in an 'r', so it fuses directly with prepositions starting with a vowel: waar + in = waarin; waar + over = waarover.
  • Irregular forms: Some prepositions change when combined: met becomes mee (waarmee), and tot becomes toe (waartoe).

2. Questions and Relative Clauses:

  • Questions: This is the standard way to ask 'What... [preposition]?'. Instead of 'Voor wat?', you say Waarvoor is dit? (What is this for?).
  • Relative Clauses: It refers back to an object or idea: Het boek waarin ik lees (The book in which I am reading).

3. Register and Splitting:
In formal writing, the words often stay together: De stoel waarop ik niet zit. In natural spoken Dutch, they are frequently split: De stoel waar ik niet op zit. While splitting is highly preferred for naturalness when elements like niet or adverbs are present, the fused form remains grammatically correct in formal registers.

4. Usage and Restrictions:

  • Things vs. People: Used for inanimate objects. For people, you must use preposition + wie.
  • The 'Wat' Rule: In questions and in relative clauses that refer back to a thing, a preposition is not followed by wat; use the waar- form (e.g., Waarover praat je? instead of Over wat praat je?). A free relative still allows a preposition before wat, as in met wat ik heb.
  • Exceptions: Prepositions like tijdens and sinds cannot combine with waar.

Examples (4)

  1. Dit is de tafel waaraan we gisteren hebben gegeten.

    This is the table at which we ate yesterday.

    Word by Word: This is the table where-at we yesterday have eaten.

    Here, 'waaraan' (waar + aan) refers back to 'de tafel'. This is the formal, fused version.

  2. Het probleem waar hij al uren over nadenkt, is erg ingewikkeld.

    The problem he has been thinking about for hours is very complicated.

    Word by Word: The problem where he already hours about thinks, is very complicated.

    This example shows the 'split' version (waar... over), which is very common in spoken Dutch.

  3. Hij kwam niet opdagen, waarover ik erg boos was.

    He didn't show up, about which I was very angry.

    Word by Word: He came not up-show, where-over I very angry was.

    In this case, 'waarover' refers back to the entire previous clause (the fact that he didn't show up).

  4. Dat is het mes waarmee ik het brood snijd.

    That is the knife with which I cut the bread.

    Word by Word: That is the knife where-with I the bread cut.

    The preposition 'met' changes to 'mee' when combined with 'waar'.

Common Mistakes

  • Using 'preposition + dat/die' for things.

    Het boek over dat ik vertelde.
    Het boek waarover ik vertelde.

    Dutch does not allow a preposition directly before 'dat' or 'die' in a relative clause when referring to a thing. You must use the 'waar + preposition' form.

  • Using 'waar' + preposition for a person (common in speech, but 'wie' is preferred in careful writing).

    Different MeaningDe vrouw waarmee ik werk.
    De vrouw met wie ik werk.

    'De vrouw waarmee ik werk' is common in everyday speech and easy to understand. In careful writing, 'preposition + wie' is preferred for people and 'waar' + preposition for things.

How It Connects

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

waar + PrepositionLevel 3Relative with Preposition

Learn This First

To learn 'waar + preposition' (pronominal adverbs), you first need to be familiar with basic prepositions and how relative clauses are structured in Dutch. Since these constructions function as relative pronouns for objects, understanding standard relative pronouns and the resulting shift in word order (verb-final) is necessary.

Words in This Pattern

waar