Pronoun

1. what: e.g. (1) asking for a subject complement; (2) asking for a sentence object

   (1) Wat is dat? — What is that?

   (2) Wat wil je doen? — What do you want to do?

2. what: e.g. (1) as the object of a sentence; (2) ditto

   (1) Ik weet niet wat ik wil doen. — I don't know what I want to do.

   (2) Jij moet afblijven wat je daar ziet. — You must not touch what you see there.

3. that: e.g. (1) modifying an indefinite pronoun like iets, niets, alles or het enige; (2) modifying an adjective that is used as a noun, usually a superlative

   (1) Geef mij maar alles wat eetbaar is. — Please give me everything that is edible.

   (2) Het duurste wat er was. — The most expensive that there was.

4. which: e.g. (1) modifying the demonstrative pronouns dat and datgene; (2) referring back to an entire sentence

   (1) Hij nam precies datgene wat ik had gewild — He took exactly that which I had wanted.

   (2) Jantje deed het in z’n broek, wat zijn moeder in verlegenheid bracht. — John did it in his pants, which embarrassed his mother

5. something: e.g. (1) as subject; (2) as subject complement

   (1) Daar loopt wat rond. — Something there is walking around.

   (2) Dat is aardig wat! — That is quite something! [i.e. "That is quite a lot!"]

Determiner

1. some

   Ik wil graag wat kersen. — I want some cherries please.

Adverb

1. a bit, somewhat

   Hij doet dat wat onbedachtzaam. — He does that somewhat unthoughtfully.

Etymology