wat, dat and wie in Afrikaans: Part 1 – how to say that
📘 Who this is for: CAPS, IEB, Cambridge students (FAL and SAL Grades 7–12) and adult Afrikaans learners.
Learn when to use “wat” and “dat” in Afrikaans. These words are often translated as “what” and “that”, but this can be misleading because there is no true direct translation for them. By the end of this lesson, you will be able to use “wat” and “dat” with confidence.
When
to use “wat”
and “dat”
What does "wat" mean.
The Afrikaans word "wat" usually means the same as the English word "what," but it can fill the roles of "that" or "who" to depending on how it is used in a sentence.
Because "wat" can fill so many roles English speakers often underuses "wat" in favor or "wie" or "dat"
Examples
What are you doing.
Wat doen jy.
I can see what you are building.
Ek kan sien wat jy bou.
What does "dat" mean
“Dat” is often translated as “that.”
This translation can be misleading, because the English "that" can either be "dat" or "wat" depending on how it is used.
In English "that" can be both a pronoun and a conjunction depending on how it is used.
That as a conjunction
I can see that you are hungry.
Ek kan sien dat jy honger is.
That as a pronoun
The tree that fell is over there.
Die boom wat geval het is daar anderkant.
In Afrikaans “dat” is only ever a conjunction. It connects 2 sentences or 2 ideas together.
How to test when to use "wat" or "dat" word to use
If you want to test when to use “wat” or “dat”, remove the word from the sentence and see if it works as 2 separate functional sentences.
Example 1
The man that is hungry, is old.
Try removing the word
Die man (the man)
Honger is oud. (hungry is old.)
The ideas do not separate into two clear sentences.
Therefore the
correct sentence is:
Die man wat
honger is, is oud.
Example 2
I see that you are old.
Try removing the "wat" and "dat":
Ek sien. (I see.)
Jy is oud. (You are old.)
The ideas separate into two clear
sentences.
Therefore the
correct sentence is:
Ek sien dat jy oud is.
Example of "dat" in sentences.
I know that you are tired.
Ek weet dat jy moeg is.
I see that the man stands there.
Ek sien dat die man daar staan.
I tell you that you must eat.
Ek sê vir jou dat jy moet eet.
I am sure that it wil rain.
Ek is seker dat dit gaan reën.
In all these sentences the word "dat" is a conjunction. If you remove it from the sentence you can still have 2 seperate functional sentences.
Note unlike the English "that," "dat" is only used as a conjunction, never as a pronoun.
Common mistakes
Here are some sentences where English speakers would likely feel the need to use "dat" instead of "wat."
Examples:
The man that is hungry, eats the food.
Die mense wat honger is, eet die kos.
The dog that stands there is very big.
Die hond wat daar staan, is groot.
The tree that fell is over there
Die boom wat geval het is daar.
The man that works here is old.
Die man wat hier werk is oud.
In all of these sentences "wat" is a pronoun not a conjunction. They do not connect 2 sentences or ideas together.
If you take "wat" out of these sentences they will not separate into 2 functional sentences.
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References.
Lutrin, B. (1999). Afrikaans handbook & study guide: An English student’s guide to Afrikaans. Sandton: Berlut Books.
de Jonge, A. (n.d.). Leer Afrikaans sonder om jou rieme styf te loop. Graffiti Boeke.
De Klerk, P. F., Esterhuizen, B. J., Hammann, H. J. R., & Neethling, E. L. (1986). Afrikaans my taal. Maskew Miller Longman.
Nel, M. (2019). Afrikaans+: Everything you need to obtain top marks. LAPA Uitgewers.
The majority of this course content is based on the author’s experience, practice, and self-study.
© 2026 Owl's Bilingual Academy. You’re welcome to share or adapt this for non-commercial use, as long as you give credit. Please don’t sell it or claim it as your own.
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