What does it mean word for word?
The phrase wat bedoel je? is composed of wat (what), bedoel (mean/intend) and je (you).
Which one should you use?
The informal version is wat bedoel je?, while the formal version is wat bedoelt u? You might also use wat bedoel je precies? to ask 'What do you mean exactly?'
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
wat bedoel je? is the informal version used with friends, family or people you address as 'je'. For someone you do not know well, an elder or in a professional setting, use the formal wat bedoelt u? to be polite. You can also use the formal phrases Kunt u dat verduidelijken? (Can you clarify that?) or Zou u dat kunnen verduidelijken? (Could you clarify that?).
How does it change in a sentence?
To change the subject to yourself, replace the pronoun je with ik to say wat bedoel ik? (what do I mean?).
Did you know?
- If you use the formal wat bedoelt u? in a casual setting like a café with friends, you might sound unintentionally sarcastic or even mockingly polite.
- While wat bedoel je? is a standard question, if you want to sound more blunt or even slightly confrontational, you might say Wat bedoel je ermee?, which adds 'with it' to the end.
- The verb bedoelen in wat bedoel je? is closely related to the English word 'intend', meaning that when you ask this, you are literally asking 'what do you intend?'
Examples in context
- Ik begrijp het niet, wat bedoel je?I don't understand, what do you mean?
Example conversation
Julia and Lucas are discussing their weekend plans.
- JuliaIk denk dat we dit weekend niet gaan.I think we aren't going this weekend.
- LucasWat bedoel je?What do you mean?
- JuliaHet gaat regenen, dus we blijven binnen.It is going to rain, so we are staying inside.
- LucasOh, dat begrijp ik.Oh, I understand that.
