Learn Dutch: Wat bedoel je precies? - What do you mean exactly?

In Dutch, when the subject je or jij (you) comes after the verb, you always drop the -t ending. A normal statement is je bedoelt (you mean), but because this is a question, the verb moves to the front, making it bedoel je.

Could I use the verb betekenen here instead of bedoelen?

No, and this is a very common mix-up! Use bedoelen when a person means something (like an intention or a thought). Use betekenen when a thing or word means something (like a dictionary definition). Since the subject here is je (a person), you must use bedoelen.

Would it be correct to say Wat bedoel jij precies?

Yes, you can absolutely use jij. You would use jij to put special emphasis on the person. For example, if someone just asked what your intentions were, you might bounce the question back: "No, what do you mean exactly?". For a standard, casual question, the unstressed je is the most natural choice.

How would I change this sentence to ask "What do you mean by that exactly?"