Softening descriptions with wat
You might know wat as the question word for "what." However, placed directly before an adjective, wat acts as a degree modifier meaning "somewhat," "a little," or "a bit."
Using wat subtly downplays the adjective, softening your statement. This is especially common when talking about the weather—it keeps you from sounding too dramatic about a mild chill!
| Today it is somewhat cloudy and chilly. | Vandaag is het wat bewolkt en kil. |
| The weather is somewhat changeable, when will it clear up? | Het weer is wat wisselvallig, wanneer zal het opklaren? |
Describing minor discomforts
When you aren't feeling your best, putting wat in front of a symptom shows it is a mild annoyance rather than a severe problem.
| My leg has been somewhat stiff since the match. | Mijn been is wat stijf sinds de wedstrijd. |
| You seem somewhat pale, do you have a cold? | Je lijkt wat bleek, ben je verkouden? |
| I cough a lot and my throat is somewhat dry. | Ik hoest veel en mijn keel is wat droog. |
Dual meanings: benauwd
Some adjectives describe both your environment and how your body reacts to it. For example, benauwd can mean a room is "stuffy," or that a person is feeling "short of breath."
| stuffy / short of breath | benauwd |
| It is somewhat stuffy here and I am coughing. | Het is hier wat benauwd en ik hoest. |
| You are somewhat short of breath and your face is pale. | Je bent wat benauwd en je gezicht is bleek. |
Your questions are stored by us to improve Elon.io
