Learn Dutch: Waarmee knutsel jij? - What are you crafting with?

In English, we say 'with what'. But in Dutch, when you ask a question using a preposition (like 'with') and 'what' to talk about a thing, you don't usually use wat. Instead, you combine waar + the preposition. So 'with what' becomes waarmee.

Since the Dutch word for 'with' is met, why is it waarmee and not waarmet?

When the preposition met (with) is glued to words like waar (where), hier (here), or daar (there), it always changes its shape and becomes mee. So you will always see waarmee, hiermee, and daarmee.

Why doesn't the verb have a -t at the end (knutselt) if the subject is jij?

Usually, jij adds a -t to the verb stem (like jij knutselt). However, there is a special rule for questions: when jij or je comes right after the verb, you drop that -t. That is why it is knutsel jij.

What kind of crafting does knutselen refer to?

Knutselen means to do arts and crafts, tinker, or make things for fun. It is the perfect word for kids doing crafts with paper and glue, but also for adults enjoying casual DIY hobbies.