The Dutch have more or less the same pronouns as the English:
[dat](#/lesson/Pronouns.Rl02) | [die](#/lesson/Pronouns.Rl03) | [wat](#/lesson/Pronouns.Rl04) | [wie](#/lesson/Pronouns.Rl05) | [wiens, wier, van wie](#/lesson/Pronouns.Rl06)
There are a few differences in how they are used.
Most relative pronouns become [pronominal adverbs](#/lesson/Pronouns.Ad01) when they are combined with a preposition.
Pronoun | Dutch | English
dat | Het boek dat ik heb gelezen.
Het huis, dat in de 17e eeuw werd gebouwd, wordt volgend jaar opgeknapt. | The book that I have read.
The house, which was built in the 17th century, will be renovated next year.
die | De man die daar staat.
De film, die lovende kritieken kreeg, wekt veel discussies op. | The man who stands there.
The movie, which received positive reviews, triggers a lot of debates.
wat | Het laastste wat ik weet is dat ze naar Frankrijk is verhuisd.
Er is nog iets wat ik je wilde zeggen. | The last thing that I know is that she moved to France.
There is still something ( that) I want to say to you.
wie | De collega met wie ik samenwerk.
Dat is de zieke buurvrouw voor wie hij zorgt. | The colleague whom I work with.
That is the ill neighbour (woman), whom he is taking care of.
Genitive relative pronouns
The genitive relative pronoun expresses possession.
Pronoun | Dutch | English
wiens | De man, wiens dochter bij mij om de hoek woont, ... | The man, whose daughter lives around the corner from me, ...
wier | Dat is de vrouw wier hond altijd bij ons in de tuin rondrent. | That is the woman whose dog is always running around in our garden.
van wie | De man, van wie de dochter bij mij om de hoek woont,...
Dat is de vrouw van wie de hond altijd bij ons in de tuin rondrent. | The man, whose daughter lives around the corner of me,...
That is the woman whose dog is always running around in our garden.
On the following pages, we will discuss each of the above relative pronouns.