det som

That Which

Level 3

det som = "that which" / "what"

It introduces a clause that acts as a single noun-like idea.

Det som är viktigt är att lyssna.
(What is important is to listen.)

How It Works

det som is a powerful tool for creating nominal relative clauses. This means the clause it introduces can be treated just like a noun.

Function and Usage:
The primary function is to refer to something that hasn't been explicitly named. The clause following det som defines what "det" refers to.

1. As the Subject of a Sentence:
A subject phrase can begin the sentence, as in these examples.

  • Det som hände var en olycka. (What happened was an accident.)
  • Det som förvånar mig är hans attityd. (What surprises me is his attitude.)

2. As the Object of a Sentence:
An object phrase often follows the verb, as in these examples.

  • Jag förstår inte det som du säger. (I don't understand what you are saying.)
  • Hon köpte det som var billigast. (She bought what was cheapest.)

3. After a Preposition:

  • Vi pratade om det som hände igår. (We talked about what happened yesterday.)

Det Som And Relative Vad
Vad is not only a question word. It also introduces standard relative clauses: Jag köpte vad jag behövde corresponds to Jag köpte det som jag behövde. This alternative is available in writing too.

When vad represents the subject inside the relative clause, add som: Vad som är viktigt är att vara ärlig. This is a valid counterpart to Det som är viktigt är att vara ärlig; bare Vad är viktigt är ... does not have the required embedded structure. In a direct question, Vad är viktigt? is correct.

When Som Can Be Omitted
With a separate subject inside the relative clause, som can often be omitted: Jag gillar det (som) du har på dig. When det corresponds to the relative clause’s subject, keep som in the ordinary pattern: Det som hände var inte mitt fel.

Position And Word Order
The phrase’s role does not lock it to a position. A subject can follow an initial adverbial: I dag är det som hände svårt att förstå. An object can come first: Det som du säger förstår jag inte. Within the relative clause, ordinary subordinate order puts inte before the finite verb: det som du inte förstår.

Examples (5)

  1. Det som hände var inte mitt fel.

    What happened was not my fault.

    Word by Word: That which happened was not my fault.

  2. Jag gillar det som du har på dig.

    I like what you are wearing.

    Word by Word: I like that which you have on you.

  3. Det som är viktigast är familjen.

    What is most important is family.

    Word by Word: That which is most important is the family.

  4. Kan du förklara det som du menar?

    Can you explain what you mean?

    Word by Word: Can you explain that which you mean?

  5. Vi måste fokusera på det som ger resultat.

    We must focus on what yields results.

    Word by Word: We must focus on that which gives results.

Common Mistakes

  • Omitting som when vad is the subject of an embedded relative clause.

    Vad är viktigt är att vara ärlig.
    Vad som är viktigt är att vara ärlig.

    Relative vad is valid in a statement, but when it represents the embedded subject it is followed by som. Det som är viktigt är att vara ärlig is another correct version. The error is not using vad instead of det som; it is omitting the required som in this structure.

How It Connects

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

det somLevel 3That Which

Learn This First

The construction 'det som' (that which / what) functions as a relative clause where 'det' acts as an indefinite antecedent. To learn this, a learner must first understand the neuter pronoun 'det', the relative pronoun 'som', and the specific word order rules (BIFF rule) that apply to subordinate clauses in Swedish.

Words in This Pattern