The demonstrative pronouns on this page are normally used in combination with a [relative pronoun](#/lesson/Pronouns.Rl01).
Gene
The pronouns below stem from the pronoun _gene_, which is an archaic form of _die_ ('that' or 'those'). This pronoun has nothing to do with the negating adverb [geen](#/lesson/WordOrder.47).
We use _datgene_ for things and _diegene_ for persons.
Datgene
_Datgene wat_ means 'that which' or 'the thing(s) which'. You will not hear it very often in spoken Dutch but it is common enough in written Dutch to be dedicated a few lines to. Instead of _datgene_, we often say _dat wat_ or _wat_.
English | Dutch
that which | [All interchangeable]
\- datgene wat [formal]
\- dat wat [common]
\- wat [common]
_Datgene wat_, _dat wat_, and _wat_ are interchangeable:
Je moet juist datgene doen wat ze niet verwachten. | You should do exactly that which they do not expect.
Je moet juist dat doen wat ze niet verwachten. | You should do exactly that which they do not expect.
Je moet juist doen wat ze niet verwachten. | You should do exactly what they do not expect.
The [relative pronoun](#/lesson/Pronouns.Rl01) _wat_ (just like In English) is often the most common form.
Datgene wat ik eigenlijk wilde zeggen... | That which I actually wanted to say...
Dat wat ik eigenlijk wilde zeggen... | That which I actually wanted to say...
Wat ik eigenlijk wilde zeggen...
[most common] | What I actually wanted to say...
Degene and diegene
_Degene die_ means 'the person who' or 'that person who'. The Dutch do not really distinguish between de gene and die gene. They mean roughly the same. For the plural, we use degene n and diegene n
To understand when we have to use _diegene_, we have to make a distinction between specific persons (that person who) and any person with a specific quality (whoever, any person who).
Specific person | Any person with a specific quality
That person who saved the life of a child yesterday should be awarded a medal for bravery. | Anyone who saves the life of a child should be awarded a medal.
In Dutch, we use _degene/diegene_ to refer to a specific person. If we are talking about just any person with certain characteristics, we can choose from several demonstrative (and relative) pronouns, including _degene/diegene_. They are all interchangeable.
- | Referring to a speficic person
[that specific person who] | Referring to any person with a specific quality
[anyone who]
the person who | [All interchangeable]
\- degene die
\- d i egene die | [All interchangeable]
\- degene die
\- d i egene die
\- hij die
\- wie
the person s who | [All interchangeable]
\- degene n die
\- d i egene n die | [All interchangeable]
\- degene n die
\- d i egene n die
\- zij die
\- wie
Examples
We use _degene_ when talking about a specific person:
Kan degene die mij midden in de nacht gebeld heeft mij voortaan overdag bellen? | Could that person who called me in the middle of the night from now on call me at daytime?
Ik heb nog altijd contact met degene die vroeger op me paste. | I am still in touch with the person who used to baby-sit me.
If we refer to any person with a certain quality, we can use _degene, diegene, hij die,_ and _wie_:
Degene die het eerst aankomt, wint een prijs. | He who (whoever) finishes first, wins a prize.
Hij die het eerst aankomt, wint een prijs. |
Wie het eerst aankomt, wint een prijs. |
Degenen die zich per post aanmeld en, krijg en een schriftelijke bevestiging. | Anyone who registers by mail, will receive a written confirmation.
Zij die die zich per post aanmeld en, krijg en een schriftelijke bevestiging. |
Wie zich per post aanmeld t, krijg t een schriftelijke bevestiging. |