wat
What
Wat is a versatile word in Dutch. It is most commonly used to ask questions (What?), but it also functions as a casual way to say 'something' or 'some', a way to link sentences (which...), and a tool for exclamations (What a...!).
How It Works
The word wat serves four main purposes in Dutch:
1. Interrogative (Questions): Used to ask about objects or actions.
Example: Wat doe je? (What are you doing?)
2. Indefinite (Something/Some): In casual speech, wat often replaces iets (something) or means 'a bit of'. When followed by an adjective, the adjective gets a special -s ending.
Example: Ik wil wat lekkers. (I want something tasty.)
3. Relative (Linking): It acts as a relative pronoun when referring back to an entire previous sentence or to indefinite words like alles (everything) or niets (nothing).
Example: Hij is ziek, wat vervelend is. (He is sick, which is annoying.)
4. Exclamatory (Emphasis): Used to express surprise. When used with a noun, it forms the phrase wat een.
Example: Wat een mooie dag! (What a beautiful day!)
Examples (6)
- Wat is jouw naam?
What is your name?
Word by Word: What is your name?
A standard question using 'wat' as an interrogative pronoun.
- Ik heb wat voor je meegenomen.
I brought something for you.
Word by Word: I have something for you along-taken.
Here 'wat' is used as an indefinite pronoun meaning 'something'.
- Wil je wat drinken?
Do you want something to drink?
Word by Word: Want you something drink?
In this context, 'wat' means 'some' or 'something'.
- Hij vertelde een grap, wat erg grappig was.
He told a joke, which was very funny.
Word by Word: He told a joke, what very funny was.
Here 'wat' refers back to the entire previous clause (the fact that he told a joke).
- Wat een grote auto!
What a big car!
Word by Word: What a big car!
Using 'wat een' to express exclamation and surprise.
- Heb je wat nieuws gehoord?
Have you heard something new?
Word by Word: Have you something new-s heard?
When 'wat' is followed by an adjective like 'nieuw', the adjective takes an -s ending.
Common Mistakes
Using 'wat' instead of 'dat' for specific neuter nouns.
Het boek wat ik lees is goed.Het boek dat ik lees is goed.While common in casual speech, you should use 'dat' to refer to a specific 'het-word'. Use 'wat' only for indefinite words (alles, iets) or whole sentences.
Using 'wat lekker' when you mean 'something tasty'.
Different MeaningIk wil wat lekker eten.Ik wil wat lekkers eten.'Ik wil wat lekker eten' can mean 'I want some tasty food'. To say 'something tasty', 'wat' + adjective takes -s: 'wat lekkers', 'wat leuks'.
Using 'wat' when you want to know who he is.
Different MeaningWat is die man?Wie is die man?'Wat is die man?' is correct, but it asks about his job or kind. To ask who he is, use 'wie': 'Wie is die man?'
How It Connects
Learn This First
To use 'wat' effectively, you need to understand basic word order for questions and how to conjugate the most common verb used with it, 'zijn' (to be).
- zijnTo Be (Zijn)
The interrogative pronoun 'wat' is most commonly introduced alongside the verb 'zijn' (to be) to form basic questions like 'Wat is dit?'.
Level 1 - Word Order Basics
Understanding how to structure a basic sentence is necessary to correctly place the interrogative pronoun at the beginning of a question.
Foundations
Related Patterns
- wieWho
'Wie' is the counterpart to 'wat' used specifically for people.
Level 1 - wat eenWhat a!
This specific construction is used for exclamations with nouns.
Level 2 - iets/niets + Adjective + -sIets Leuks
Explains the rule where adjectives get an -s after indefinite pronouns like 'wat' and 'iets'.
Level 3 - wat (betrekkelijk)Relative Pronoun (Indefinite)
Focuses on how 'wat' is used to link clauses together.
Level 3 - welke/welkWhich
While 'wat' is general, 'welk' is used when choosing from a specific group.
Level 1 - dat (betrekkelijk)Relative Pronoun (Het-words)
The relative pronoun used for specific neuter nouns, often confused with 'wat'.
Level 3
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
Words in This Pattern
Practice wat in Bubblegum
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