Learning a new language can be an exhilarating journey, but it often comes with its fair share of challenges. One such challenge in Afrikaans is understanding the use of relative pronouns, particularly dat and wat. These two words can be quite confusing for English speakers because their usage doesn’t always have a direct translation in English. This article will delve into the nuances of these two relative pronouns, providing you with a clear understanding of when and how to use each one.

Understanding Relative Pronouns

Relative pronouns are words that introduce relative clauses. A relative clause gives more information about the noun that precedes it. In English, common relative pronouns include “who,” “whom,” “which,” and “that.” In Afrikaans, the two most commonly used relative pronouns are dat and wat.

What is dat?

Dat is a relative pronoun in Afrikaans that is used similarly to the English word “that” when it introduces a relative clause. It is used to refer to things or concepts, but not people.

dat – that (used to refer to things or concepts)
Die boek dat ek gelees het, is baie interessant.

Here, dat introduces the clause “ek gelees het” which gives more information about “Die boek.”

What is wat?

Wat can be more versatile than dat and can be translated as “what,” “which,” or “that,” depending on the context. Unlike dat, wat can be used to refer to both people and things.

wat – what, which, that (used to refer to people or things)
Die man wat hier werk, is baie vriendelik.

In this example, wat introduces the clause “hier werk,” giving more information about “Die man.”

When to Use dat

Understanding when to use dat can be tricky, but there are a few rules that can help. Here are the main scenarios where you would use dat:

Referring to Things or Concepts

Use dat when referring to non-human subjects, such as objects, ideas, or places. The relative clause introduced by dat will provide more information about these subjects.

ding – thing
Die ding dat jy gesien het, was ‘n UFO.

idee – idea
Die idee dat ons moet vroeg opstaan, is nie baie aantreklik nie.

plek – place
Die plek dat ons besoek het, was pragtig.

When to Use wat

Wat is used in a variety of contexts, making it more versatile. Here are the scenarios where wat is appropriate:

Referring to People

When the relative pronoun refers to a person, use wat.

persoon – person
Die persoon wat die boek geskryf het, is baie talentvol.

kind – child
Die kind wat daar speel, is my seun.

vriend – friend
Die vriend wat ek genooi het, kon nie kom nie.

Referring to Things or Concepts in Indirect Questions

Use wat when referring to things or concepts in indirect questions or statements that imply a question.

vraag – question
Ek weet nie wat jy bedoel nie.

antwoord – answer
Sy kon nie sê wat die antwoord is nie.

rede – reason
Hulle het nie gesê wat die rede is nie.

Exceptions and Special Cases

Like any language, Afrikaans has its exceptions and special cases where the rules don’t always apply straightforwardly. Here are some instances where dat and wat might not follow the general guidelines:

Fixed Expressions

Some phrases and expressions in Afrikaans use wat or dat in a way that doesn’t necessarily fit the rules. These are idiomatic and must be learned individually.

iets – something
Daar is iets wat ek vir jou wil sê.

alles – everything
Alles wat gebeur het, was onverwags.

niks – nothing
Daar is niks wat jy kan doen nie.

Emphasis and Style

Sometimes, the choice between dat and wat can come down to stylistic preference or emphasis. In such cases, native speakers might choose one over the other for rhetorical effect.

manier – way
Die manier wat hy dit gedoen het, was indrukwekkend.

tyd – time
Die tyd dat ons saam spandeer het, was kosbaar.

verhaal – story
Die verhaal wat hy vertel het, was baie interessant.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Understanding the rules is one thing, but applying them correctly in conversation or writing is another. Here are some common mistakes learners make when using dat and wat, along with tips on how to avoid them:

Confusing dat with wat

Many learners often use wat when they should be using dat, particularly when referring to things or concepts. Remember, dat is for non-human subjects.

boek – book
Die boek dat ek gelees het, was baie goed.

taal – language
Die taal dat ons leer, is interessant.

Using dat for People

Conversely, using dat to refer to people is also a common error. Always use wat when the relative pronoun refers to a person.

onderwyser – teacher
Die onderwyser wat ons leer, is baie kundig.

dokter – doctor
Die dokter wat my behandel het, was baie professioneel.

Misusing Indirect Questions

Learners often struggle with indirect questions, mistakenly using dat instead of wat. When in doubt, think of whether the clause implies a question.

waarheid – truth
Ek weet nie wat die waarheid is nie.

plan – plan
Sy het nie gesê wat die plan is nie.

Practice Makes Perfect

The best way to master the use of dat and wat is through consistent practice. Try to incorporate these relative pronouns into your daily conversations and writing exercises. Here are a few practice sentences to get you started:

Practice Sentences

hond – dog
Die hond wat ek gesien het, was baie groot.

huis – house
Die huis dat ons gekoop het, is baie groot.

werk – work
Die werk wat jy gedoen het, is uitstekend.

projek – project
Die projek dat ons voltooi het, was suksesvol.

By understanding the rules and practicing regularly, you’ll soon find that using dat and wat becomes second nature. Remember, language learning is a journey, and every step you take brings you closer to fluency. Happy learning!