Betrekkelijke bijzinnen
Exam relevant: This topic is covered in the Staatsexamen NT2 (Programma I — B1 level).
A relative clause gives more information about a noun. Dutch uses "die" or "dat" as the relative pronoun.
| Noun type | Relative pronoun | Example |
|---|---|---|
| de-word (singular) | die | de man die werkt |
| het-word (singular) | dat | het boek dat ik lees |
| plural (all genders) | die | de boeken die ik lees |
| de-word (singular) | die | de vrouw die zingt |
| het-word (singular) | dat | het kind dat speelt |
Tip: If you know the article, you know the relative pronoun — de → die, het → dat. Plural is always die.
De collega die naast mij zit, heet Thomas.
The colleague who sits next to me is called Thomas.
Het rapport dat ik heb geschreven, is goedgekeurd.
The report that I wrote has been approved.
De vergaderingen die elke maandag plaatsvinden, zijn verplicht.
The meetings that take place every Monday are compulsory.
De stad die ik het mooist vind, is Amsterdam.
The city that I find most beautiful is Amsterdam.
"Probleem" is a het-word. Use "dat" for het-words.
All plural nouns use "die", regardless of the article of the singular form.
In a relative clause (subordinate clause), the verb goes to the end.
When the relative pronoun is the object of a preposition and refers to a thing, use "waar" + preposition.
| Preposition | Combination | Example | Translation |
|---|---|---|---|
| op | waarop | de stoel waarop ik zit | the chair on which I sit |
| in | waarin | het land waarin ik woon | the country in which I live |
| over | waarover | het onderwerp waarover we spreken | the topic about which we speak |
| mee | waarmee | het gereedschap waarmee hij werkt | the tool with which he works |
| van | waarvan | de reden waarvan ik schrik | the reason of which I am startled |
| aan | waaraan | het project waaraan we werken | the project on which we work |
The waar + preposition combination can be split: "het project waar we aan werken" is also correct.
When referring to people, use "die/dat + preposition" or "wie + preposition".
Het project waaraan we werken, loopt goed.
The project we are working on is going well.
Het project waar we aan werken, loopt goed.
The project we are working on is going well.
De collega met wie ik samenwerk, is erg competent.
The colleague I work with is very competent.
De manager aan wie ik rapporteer, is op vakantie.
The manager to whom I report is on holiday.
Do not use both "waarop" and "dat". Use only the waar + preposition combination.
When referring to people, use "wie" + preposition, not "waar" + preposition.
Do not repeat the preposition. "Waarmee" already contains "mee".
Use "wat" as a relative pronoun when referring to an entire clause, an indefinite pronoun, or a superlative.
| Context | Example | Translation |
|---|---|---|
| Refers to entire clause | Hij is ziek, wat jammer is. | He is ill, which is a shame. |
| After alles | Alles wat je zegt, klopt. | Everything (that) you say is correct. |
| After iets | Iets wat ik niet begrijp. | Something (that) I do not understand. |
| After niets | Niets wat hij doet, helpt. | Nothing (that) he does helps. |
| After superlative | Het mooiste wat ik heb gezien. | The most beautiful thing I have seen. |
| After veel/weinig | Veel wat hij zei, was waar. | Much of what he said was true. |
Use "wie" as a relative pronoun when referring to a person without a specific antecedent noun.
Ze werd bevorderd, wat ze had verdiend.
She was promoted, which she had earned.
Alles wat hij belooft, doet hij ook.
Everything (that) he promises, he also does.
Wie goed doet, goed ontmoet.
He who does good, meets good. (What goes around comes around.)
Wie dit heeft gedaan, moet het opbiechten.
Whoever did this must confess.
After indefinite pronouns like "alles", use "wat" as the relative pronoun.
When referring to an entire clause (not a specific noun), use "wat".
After superlatives used as nouns (het mooiste), use "wat" not "dat".
Scenario: Professional emails and reports
De kandidaat die wij hebben geselecteerd, heeft uitstekende referenties.
The candidate that we have selected has excellent references.
Het probleem waarover u heeft gebeld, is inmiddels opgelost.
The problem about which you called has since been resolved.
De afdeling waarvoor ik werk, groeit snel.
The department for which I work is growing quickly.
De collega met wie ik samenwerk, neemt volgende maand ontslag.
The colleague with whom I work is resigning next month.
| Antecedent | No preposition | With preposition |
|---|---|---|
| de-word (thing) | die | waar + prep |
| het-word (thing) | dat | waar + prep |
| Plural (things) | die | waar + prep |
| Person | die/dat | prep + wie |
| Entire clause | wat | waar + prep |
| Indefinite pronoun | wat | waar + prep |