wat (zonder antecedent)

What (Free Relative)

Level 4

In Dutch, 'wat' is used to mean 'what' or 'the thing that' when there is no specific noun to refer back to. It creates a clause that acts like a single noun phrase.

How It Works

The relative pronoun wat is used in specific scenarios in Dutch, typically referring to vague, abstract, or non-specific concepts. It functions as an independent relative pronoun (onafhankelijk betrekkelijk voornaamwoord) or refers to specific types of antecedents.

1. Free Relative (No Antecedent)
When 'wat' means 'that which' or 'the thing that', it has no noun preceding it. It triggers subordinate word order. In this specific scenario, if you need a preposition, you use preposition + wat (e.g., Ik ben tevreden met wat ik heb). The formal alternative for this usage is hetgeen or the emphatic dat wat.

2. After Indefinite Pronouns
Wat is the preferred relative pronoun after words like alles (everything), iets (something), niets (nothing), veel (much), and weinig (little), though dat sometimes appears in writing; wat is the standard choice.

3. After Substantivized Superlatives and Neuter Adjectives
When a superlative or a neuter adjective is used as a noun (e.g., het leukste, het enige), it is followed by wat: Dat is het beste wat ik kan doen. Note that if a concrete noun is added, the relative pronoun must match the gender of that noun: use die for de-words (e.g., de leukste film die ik ken) and dat for het-words (e.g., het leukste boek dat ik ken).

4. Referring to a Whole Clause
If the relative pronoun refers to the entire previous sentence rather than one specific word, wat is required: Hij is ziek, wat erg jammer is.

5. Prepositions with Antecedents
When wat refers back to an antecedent (Scenarios 2, 3, and 4) and is the object of a preposition, it must change into a waar + preposition construction (e.g., alles waarmee). Unlike the free relative in Scenario 1, you cannot say 'alles met wat' here.

Examples (6)

  1. Wat je daar zegt, is volkomen onzin.

    What you are saying there is complete nonsense.

    Word by Word: What you there say, is complete nonsense.

    Here, the entire clause 'Wat je daar zegt' acts as the subject. Note the inversion in the main clause ('is' comes right after the comma).

  2. Alles wat hij vertelt, is gelogen.

    Everything that he tells is a lie.

    Word by Word: Everything what he tells, is lied.

    After indefinite pronouns like 'alles', 'iets', or 'niets', 'wat' is the standard relative pronoun used in Dutch.

  3. 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.

    When referring to a substantivized superlative (an adjective used as a noun), 'wat' is the required relative pronoun.

  4. Hij kwam te laat, wat erg vervelend was.

    He arrived late, which was very annoying.

    Word by Word: He came too late, what very annoying was.

    Here, 'wat' refers back to the entire preceding clause ('He arrived late') rather than a single noun.

  5. Ik begrijp niet waar hij op wacht.

    I don't understand what he is waiting for.

    Word by Word: I understand not where he on waits.

    In free relative clauses, you can use a waar + preposition construction, though 'op wat' is also grammatically acceptable in this specific context.

  6. Wat ik nodig heb, is een kop koffie.

    What I need is a cup of coffee.

    Word by Word: What I need have, is a cup coffee.

    A classic pseudo-cleft sentence where the 'wat'-clause defines the subject.

Common Mistakes

  • Using 'dat' after indefinite pronouns like 'alles' (accepted, but 'wat' is the usual choice).

    Different MeaningAlles dat hij zegt is waar.
    Alles wat hij zegt is waar.

    Learners often use 'dat' because 'alles' is a het-word. 'Alles dat' is also accepted, but after indefinite pronouns such as 'alles', 'iets' and 'niets', 'wat' is the usual relative pronoun.

  • Using 'wat' to refer to a specific neuter noun (common in speech, but not standard).

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

    If there is a specific noun (antecedent) like 'het boek', standard Dutch uses dat. 'Het boek wat ik lees' is often heard in speech, but it is not accepted in standard written Dutch. Use 'wat' when there is no specific noun, or after words like 'alles', 'iets' and 'niets'.

  • Setting the wat-clause apart and starting a new main clause with 'ik' (spoken style).

    Different MeaningWat je zegt, ik geloof het niet.
    Wat je zegt, geloof ik niet.

    'Wat je zegt, ik geloof het niet' is fine in speech: the wat-clause is set apart with a pause and a new main clause follows, with 'het' picking it up. If the wat-clause is part of the sentence, it is the first element, so the verb comes second (see the verb-second rule): Wat je zegt, geloof ik niet.

How It Connects

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

wat (zonder antecedent)Level 4What (Free Relative)

Learn This First

To learn 'advanced relative wat' (free relatives), you must first understand how 'wat' functions as a relative pronoun. Since these clauses act as subjects or objects within a larger sentence, you need to be comfortable with subordinate clause word order (placing verbs at the end) and how the main sentence's word order reacts when a clause occupies the first position.

Words in This Pattern