Welcome to Lesson 13 of the Dutch for English Speakers course. In this lesson, we will explore the Dutch equivalents of the English word "that," which are "dat" and "die." Understanding when to use each form is crucial for mastering Dutch, as the choice depends on the grammatical gender of the noun being referenced and the function of "that" in the sentence.
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Definition: In Dutch, "that" translates to two different words: -
dat [dɑt] - used with neuter nouns (het-words) and as a conjunction meaning "that" -
die [di] - used with common gender nouns (de-words) and as a relative pronoun
Question: What does "that" mean in Dutch? Answer: "That" in Dutch is expressed as either "dat" or "die" depending on the grammatical context. "Dat" is used with neuter nouns and as a conjunction, while "die" is used with common gender nouns and as a relative pronoun.
Course: Dutch for English Speakers Level: Beginner to Intermediate Topic: Demonstrative Pronouns and Conjunctions Lesson Number: 13 Focus: The word "that" (dat/die) Language of Instruction: English Target Language: Dutch
In this lesson, you will encounter "dat" and "die" in various contexts: -
As demonstrative pronouns (pointing to specific things) -
As relative pronouns (introducing relative clauses) -
As conjunctions (connecting clauses) -
In everyday expressions and idiomatic uses
-
Dutch has two words for "that": "dat" and "die" -
"Dat" is used with neuter nouns (het-words) and as a conjunction -
"Die" is used with common gender nouns (de-words) -
The choice between "dat" and "die" depends on the gender of the noun -
Both words can function as relative pronouns with different grammatical rules -
Understanding Dutch gender system is essential for correct usage
13.1 Dat that boek book is is interessant interesting
13.2 Die that man man woont lives hier here
13.3 Ik I weet know dat that hij he komt comes
13.4 Het the huis house dat that daar there staat stands is is oud old
13.5 De the vrouw woman die that zingt sings is is mijn my lerares teacher
13.6 Dat that is is niet not waar true
13.7 Zij she zei said dat that het it regent rains
13.8 Die that auto car is is van of mij me
13.9 Het the kind child dat that speelt plays is is gelukkig happy
13.10 De the mensen people die that hier here wonen live zijn are vriendelijk friendly
13.11 Weet know je you dat that morgen tomorrow zondag Sunday is is
13.12 Dat that restaurant restaurant heeft has goed good eten food
13.13 Die those bloemen flowers ruiken smell lekker nice
13.14 Hij he denkt thinks dat that we we te too laat late zijn are
13.15 De the film film die that we we gisteren yesterday zagen saw was was spannend exciting
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13.1 Dat boek is interessant. That book is interesting.
13.2 Die man woont hier. That man lives here.
13.3 Ik weet dat hij komt. I know that he is coming.
13.4 Het huis dat daar staat is oud. The house that stands there is old.
13.5 De vrouw die zingt is mijn lerares. The woman who is singing is my teacher.
13.6 Dat is niet waar. That is not true.
13.7 Zij zei dat het regent. She said that it is raining.
13.8 Die auto is van mij. That car is mine.
13.9 Het kind dat speelt is gelukkig. The child that is playing is happy.
13.10 De mensen die hier wonen zijn vriendelijk. The people who live here are friendly.
13.11 Weet je dat morgen zondag is? Do you know that tomorrow is Sunday?
13.12 Dat restaurant heeft goed eten. That restaurant has good food.
13.13 Die bloemen ruiken lekker. Those flowers smell nice.
13.14 Hij denkt dat we te laat zijn. He thinks that we are too late.
13.15 De film die we gisteren zagen was spannend. The film that we saw yesterday was exciting.
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13.1 Dat boek is interessant.
13.2 Die man woont hier.
13.3 Ik weet dat hij komt.
13.4 Het huis dat daar staat is oud.
13.5 De vrouw die zingt is mijn lerares.
13.6 Dat is niet waar.
13.7 Zij zei dat het regent.
13.8 Die auto is van mij.
13.9 Het kind dat speelt is gelukkig.
13.10 De mensen die hier wonen zijn vriendelijk.
13.11 Weet je dat morgen zondag is?
13.12 Dat restaurant heeft goed eten.
13.13 Die bloemen ruiken lekker.
13.14 Hij denkt dat we te laat zijn.
13.15 De film die we gisteren zagen was spannend.
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The Dutch language distinguishes between two forms of "that": dat and die. This distinction is one of the most challenging aspects for English speakers learning Dutch.
Dat is used with: -
Neuter nouns (het-words): dat huis (that house), dat boek (that book) -
When referring to an entire situation: Dat is goed (That is good)
Die is used with: -
Common gender nouns (de-words): die man (that man), die vrouw (that woman) -
Plural nouns: die huizen (those houses), die boeken (those books)
Dat introduces relative clauses when: -
The antecedent is a neuter singular noun: Het boek dat ik lees (The book that I read)
Die introduces relative clauses when: -
The antecedent is a common gender noun: De man die daar staat (The man who stands there) -
The antecedent is plural: De boeken die ik koop (The books that I buy)
Dat is always used as a conjunction to connect clauses: -
Ik denk dat hij komt (I think that he is coming) -
Hij zegt dat het mooi weer wordt (He says that the weather will be nice)
-
Using "die" as a conjunction: English speakers often incorrectly use "die" instead of "dat" when connecting clauses. -
Incorrect: Ik weet die hij komt -
Correct: Ik weet dat hij komt -
Confusing gender: Using the wrong form because of uncertainty about noun gender. -
Remember: het-words take "dat", de-words take "die" -
Forgetting the verb position: In subordinate clauses with "dat", the verb goes to the end. -
English: I know that he comes today -
Dutch: Ik weet dat hij vandaag komt (verb at end) -
Mixing up demonstrative and relative uses: Not recognizing when "that" functions as a demonstrative vs. a relative pronoun.
-
Identify the function: Is "that" pointing to something, connecting ideas, or introducing extra information? -
For demonstratives: Check the gender of the noun -
het boek → dat boek -
de tafel → die tafel -
For relative clauses: Look at what noun is being described -
het kind (neuter) → het kind dat speelt -
de vrouw (common) → de vrouw die speelt -
For conjunctions: Always use "dat" -
Hij zegt dat... (He says that...)
Dat: -
Demonstrative with neuter singular nouns -
Relative pronoun with neuter singular antecedents -
Conjunction in all cases -
Pronunciation: [dɑt]
Die: -
Demonstrative with common gender nouns -
Demonstrative with all plural nouns -
Relative pronoun with common gender and plural antecedents -
Pronunciation: [di]
Unlike English, which uses one word "that" for all functions, Dutch makes distinctions based on: -
Grammatical gender (absent in modern English) -
Number (singular vs. plural) -
Function (demonstrative, relative, conjunction)
This three-way distinction makes Dutch "that" more complex but also more precise than its English counterpart.
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The distinction between "dat" and "die" reflects the Dutch language's preservation of grammatical gender, a feature that has been lost in English but remains vital in Dutch communication. This grammatical feature connects Dutch to its Germanic roots and to other European languages that maintain gender systems.
In everyday Dutch conversation, the correct use of "dat" and "die" is considered a mark of language proficiency. Native speakers will immediately notice errors in this area, making it an important focus for learners who wish to sound natural. However, Dutch speakers are generally patient with learners and appreciate efforts to master their language.
The use of "dat" and "die" also appears in many Dutch idioms and fixed expressions: -
"Dat gezegd hebbende" (That being said) -
"Die van mij" (Mine/My one) -
"Dat is het hem juist" (That's exactly it)
In formal writing and speaking, maintaining the correct distinction is especially important. Business correspondence, academic writing, and official documents require precise usage. In informal texting and social media, however, some Dutch speakers may be less careful about the distinction, though this is not recommended for learners.
The Dutch education system places significant emphasis on teaching the correct use of "dat" and "die" to children, often through memorization of noun genders and extensive practice. This reflects the importance placed on proper language use in Dutch society, where linguistic precision is valued in both professional and social contexts.
Understanding when to use "dat" or "die" also helps learners appreciate Dutch humor and wordplay, as many Dutch jokes and puns rely on gender distinctions and the multiple meanings these words can have in different contexts.
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From "Max Havelaar" by Multatuli (Eduard Douwes Dekker), 1860:
"Ik weet niet of de lezer ooit een Nederlands koffiehuis bezocht heeft. Het is een plaats die men bezoeken moet om te weten wat verveling is. Al die mensen die daar zitten hebben niets te doen, en doen dat zeer nauwgezet."
Ik I weet know niet not of whether de the lezer reader ooit ever een a Nederlands Dutch koffiehuis coffeehouse bezocht visited heeft has. Het It is is een a plaats place die that men one bezoeken visit moet must om in-order te to weten know wat what verveling boredom is is. Al All die those mensen people die who daar there zitten sit hebben have niets nothing te to doen do, en and doen do dat that zeer very nauwgezet meticulously.
"Ik weet niet of de lezer ooit een Nederlands koffiehuis bezocht heeft. Het is een plaats die men bezoeken moet om te weten wat verveling is. Al die mensen die daar zitten hebben niets te doen, en doen dat zeer nauwgezet."
"I do not know whether the reader has ever visited a Dutch coffeehouse. It is a place that one must visit to know what boredom is. All those people who sit there have nothing to do, and do that very meticulously."
"Ik weet niet of de lezer ooit een Nederlands koffiehuis bezocht heeft. Het is een plaats die men bezoeken moet om te weten wat verveling is. Al die mensen die daar zitten hebben niets te doen, en doen dat zeer nauwgezet."
This excerpt brilliantly demonstrates multiple uses of "die" and "dat": -
"een plaats die men bezoeken moet" - Here "die" is a relative pronoun referring to "plaats" (place), a de-word. The relative clause describes which kind of place it is. -
"Al die mensen" - "Die" functions as a demonstrative adjective with the plural noun "mensen" (people), meaning "those people." -
"die daar zitten" - Another relative pronoun "die" referring to "mensen," introducing a clause that describes which people. -
"doen dat zeer nauwgezet" - Here "dat" refers to the entire concept of "having nothing to do," functioning as a demonstrative pronoun for an abstract idea.
Multatuli's satirical tone is enhanced by his precise use of these pronouns, creating a rhythmic, almost hypnotic description of the tedium he observes. The grammatical precision mirrors the "meticulous" way the coffeehouse patrons do nothing.
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13.16 De the minister minister verklaarde declared dat that de the maatregelen measures noodzakelijk necessary zijn are
13.17 Het the rapport report dat that gisteren yesterday verscheen appeared toont shows verontrustende disturbing cijfers figures
13.18 Die those gebeurtenissen events hebben have grote great gevolgen consequences voor for de the economie economy
13.19 Experts experts waarschuwen warn dat that het the klimaat climate sneller faster verandert changes dan than verwacht expected
13.20 De the burgemeester mayor die who vorige last week week benoemd appointed werd was presenteerde presented haar her plannen plans
13.21 Dat that was was niet not de the eerste first keer time dat that zoiets such-thing gebeurde happened
13.22 Het the bedrijf company dat that failliet bankrupt ging went had had duizend thousand werknemers employees
13.23 Die that beslissing decision zal will morgen tomorrow in in het the parlement parliament besproken discussed worden be
13.24 Onderzoekers researchers ontdekten discovered dat that het the vaccin vaccine effectief effective is is
13.25 De the scholen schools die that getroffen affected werden were blijven remain voorlopig temporarily gesloten closed
13.26 Men one verwacht expects dat that de the prijzen prices zullen will stijgen rise
13.27 Het the onderzoek investigation dat that drie three maanden months duurde lasted is is nu now afgerond completed
13.28 Die those maatregelen measures worden are vanaf from januari January ingevoerd implemented
13.29 De the politie police meldde reported dat that er there geen no gewonden injured zijn are
13.30 Het the gebied area dat that getroffen hit werd was door by de the storm storm krijgt receives noodhulp emergency-aid
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13.16 De minister verklaarde dat de maatregelen noodzakelijk zijn. The minister declared that the measures are necessary.
13.17 Het rapport dat gisteren verscheen toont verontrustende cijfers. The report that appeared yesterday shows disturbing figures.
13.18 Die gebeurtenissen hebben grote gevolgen voor de economie. Those events have major consequences for the economy.
13.19 Experts waarschuwen dat het klimaat sneller verandert dan verwacht. Experts warn that the climate is changing faster than expected.
13.20 De burgemeester die vorige week benoemd werd presenteerde haar plannen. The mayor who was appointed last week presented her plans.
13.21 Dat was niet de eerste keer dat zoiets gebeurde. That was not the first time that such a thing happened.
13.22 Het bedrijf dat failliet ging had duizend werknemers. The company that went bankrupt had a thousand employees.
13.23 Die beslissing zal morgen in het parlement besproken worden. That decision will be discussed in parliament tomorrow.
13.24 Onderzoekers ontdekten dat het vaccin effectief is. Researchers discovered that the vaccine is effective.
13.25 De scholen die getroffen werden blijven voorlopig gesloten. The schools that were affected remain closed for now.
13.26 Men verwacht dat de prijzen zullen stijgen. It is expected that prices will rise.
13.27 Het onderzoek dat drie maanden duurde is nu afgerond. The investigation that lasted three months is now completed.
13.28 Die maatregelen worden vanaf januari ingevoerd. Those measures will be implemented from January.
13.29 De politie meldde dat er geen gewonden zijn. The police reported that there are no injuries.
13.30 Het gebied dat getroffen werd door de storm krijgt noodhulp. The area that was hit by the storm is receiving emergency aid.
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13.16 De minister verklaarde dat de maatregelen noodzakelijk zijn.
13.17 Het rapport dat gisteren verscheen toont verontrustende cijfers.
13.18 Die gebeurtenissen hebben grote gevolgen voor de economie.
13.19 Experts waarschuwen dat het klimaat sneller verandert dan verwacht.
13.20 De burgemeester die vorige week benoemd werd presenteerde haar plannen.
13.21 Dat was niet de eerste keer dat zoiets gebeurde.
13.22 Het bedrijf dat failliet ging had duizend werknemers.
13.23 Die beslissing zal morgen in het parlement besproken worden.
13.24 Onderzoekers ontdekten dat het vaccin effectief is.
13.25 De scholen die getroffen werden blijven voorlopig gesloten.
13.26 Men verwacht dat de prijzen zullen stijgen.
13.27 Het onderzoek dat drie maanden duurde is nu afgerond.
13.28 Die maatregelen worden vanaf januari ingevoerd.
13.29 De politie meldde dat er geen gewonden zijn.
13.30 Het gebied dat getroffen werd door de storm krijgt noodhulp.
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News reporting in Dutch frequently employs both forms of "that" in specific patterns that English speakers should recognize:
In journalism, "dat" is extensively used to report statements: -
De minister verklaarde dat... (The minister declared that...) -
Experts waarschuwen dat... (Experts warn that...) -
De politie meldde dat... (The police reported that...)
Note: The verb in the subordinate clause moves to the end, unlike in English.
Both "dat" and "die" frequently introduce additional information: -
With het-words: Het rapport dat gisteren verscheen (The report that appeared yesterday) -
With de-words: De burgemeester die benoemd werd (The mayor who was appointed)
"Die" and "dat" often emphasize specific events or decisions: -
Die gebeurtenissen (Those events) - emphasizing specific occurrences -
Dat was niet de eerste keer (That was not the first time) - referring to a situation
News often uses passive constructions with relative pronouns: -
De scholen die getroffen werden (The schools that were affected) -
Het gebied dat getroffen werd (The area that was hit)
Typical structures in Dutch news: -
"Men verwacht dat..." (It is expected that...) -
"Het blijkt dat..." (It appears that...) -
"Uit onderzoek blijkt dat..." (Research shows that...)
These impersonal constructions always use "dat" as a conjunction.
In news reporting, complex sentences often stack multiple clauses: -
"Dat was niet de eerste keer dat zoiets gebeurde" (That was not the first time that such a thing happened)
Note the double use of "dat" with different functions.
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