hetgeen/hetwelk
Which (Formal Relative)
Hetgeen and hetwelk are formal versions of 'which'. Hetgeen refers to a whole idea or indefinite pronoun, hetwelk refers to a specific het-word, and welke refers to a non-human de-word or plural.
How It Works
In advanced Dutch, you will encounter specific relative pronouns that signal a high register. To become proficient in formal written style, understanding their distinction is key:
1. Hetgeen (Sentential/Independent Relative):
- Sentential: Refers back to the entire preceding clause.
- Independent: Can start a sentence meaning 'that which' (e.g., Hetgeen hij zei...).
- Restriction: Unlike hetwelk, hetgeen cannot refer back to a specific neuter noun (e.g., you cannot say het boek hetgeen...). It is restricted to referring to clauses or indefinite pronouns like alles or niets.
2. Hetwelk & Welke (Noun Relatives):
- Hetwelk: Refers to a singular het-word. While older texts sometimes used hetwelk to refer to a whole clause, this is now considered archaic/obsolete; use hetgeen or wat for clauses instead.
- Welke: Refers to a singular non-human de-word or any plural noun. For people, wie remains the standard formal choice.
- The 'Dewelke' Trap: Avoid using dewelke. Although it appears in older texts or Tussentaal, it is considered old-fashioned in modern standard Dutch. Stick to die or welke.
- Prepositions: Welke and hetwelk are used after 'heavy' prepositions that do not combine with 'waar-' (such as tijdens, volgens, or vanwege). Because this sounds very stiff, writers often rephrase the sentence to avoid this construction entirely.
Register Consistency: These pronouns belong to a high register. When using them, ensure the rest of your sentence matches this tone by using formal pronouns and avoiding reduced forms.
Word Order: These introduce a relative clause and trigger subordinate word order.
Examples (6)
- Zij hebben de richtlijn gewijzigd, hetgeen noodzakelijk was.
They modified the guideline, which was necessary.
Word by Word: They have the guideline modified, which necessary was.
Here, 'hetgeen' refers to the entire action of modifying the guideline.
- Hetgeen u daar beweert, is volstrekt onjuist.
That which you claim there is completely incorrect.
Word by Word: That-which you there claim, is completely incorrect.
'Hetgeen' can function as an independent relative pronoun at the start of a sentence, meaning 'that which'.
- Het besluit, hetwelk gisteren werd genomen, heeft grote gevolgen.
The decision, which was made yesterday, has major consequences.
Word by Word: The decision, which yesterday was taken, has great consequences.
A formal use of 'hetwelk' referring back to the neuter noun 'het besluit'.
- De beslissing, welke door de raad werd genomen, is definitief.
The decision, which was taken by the council, is final.
Word by Word: The decision, which by the council taken was, is final.
'Welke' is used here as a formal relative for the de-word 'beslissing'.
- Dit is de termijn tijdens welke u bezwaar kunt maken.
This is the period during which you can lodge an objection.
Word by Word: This is the period during which you objection can make.
'Welke' is mandatory after 'heavy' prepositions like 'tijdens' or 'volgens' where a pronominal adverb (like 'waarin') cannot be formed.
- Alles wat hij bezit, heeft hij aan zijn kinderen nagelaten.
Everything that he owns, he has left to his children.
Word by Word: Everything that he owns, has he to his children left.
Even in formal Dutch, 'wat' is the standard after indefinite pronouns like 'alles'; using 'hetgeen' here is considered archaic or legalistic.
Common Mistakes
Using the non-standard form 'dewelke'.
De brief dewelke ik gisteren ontving.De brief die ik gisteren ontving. (or: welke)'Dewelke' is considered non-standard and is often a hypercorrection or a feature of Tussentaal. In formal writing, use 'welke' or the standard die.
Using 'hetwelk' to refer to a 'de'-noun.
De auto, hetwelk ik kocht.De auto, welke ik kocht.'Hetwelk' is strictly for neuter (het) nouns. For common-gender (de) nouns, 'welke' is the formal relative pronoun.
Using preposition + welke (formal, somewhat old-fashioned) instead of a pronominal adverb.
Different MeaningDe pen met welke ik schrijf.De pen waarmee ik schrijf.'De pen met welke ik schrijf' is grammatical and formal, but it sounds old-fashioned. Even in formal writing, Dutch usually prefers a pronominal adverb (waarmee, waarin) over a preposition and a relative pronoun.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To understand 'hetgeen' and 'hetwelk', you must first be comfortable with standard relative pronouns like 'dat' and 'wat'. Since these formal pronouns introduce relative clauses, you also need to learn the subordinate clause word order (SOV) where verbs are placed at the end of the sentence.
- dat (betrekkelijk)Relative Pronoun (Het-words)
Hetgeen and hetwelk are formal alternatives to the relative pronoun 'dat' when referring to neuter nouns or entire clauses.
Level 3 - welke/welkWhich
Understanding the basic interrogative 'welk' is necessary to recognize the formal relative form 'hetwelk'.
Level 1
Related Patterns
- wat (betrekkelijk)Relative Pronoun (Indefinite)
'Wat' is the neutral equivalent of 'hetgeen' when referring to a whole clause.
Level 3 - dieRelative Pronoun (De-words)
'Die' is the standard relative pronoun for de-words, replacing the formal 'dewelke'.
Level 3 - waarmee/waaroverAsking with Waar + Preposition
Pronominal adverbs are preferred over preposition + relative pronoun constructions.
Level 3 - Academic/Official Dutch
These pronouns are hallmarks of the formal written register in Dutch.
Level 5 - Ambtelijk Nederlands
These forms are frequently found in official and legal documentation.
Level 6
Words in This Pattern
Practice hetgeen/hetwelk in Bubblegum
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