Breakdown of Ein Wasserfall ist etwas, was mich immer fasziniert.
sein
to be
ein
a, an (eine)
etwas
something
immer
always
Questions & Answers about Ein Wasserfall ist etwas, was mich immer fasziniert.
Why do we use was here instead of das?
Because it refers back to etwas (something), which is an indefinite pronoun rather than a specific noun. If you were referring to a specific neuter noun like das Buch, you would use das. But for indefinite concepts, German requires the indefinite relative pronoun was.
What other words trigger the use of was just like etwas does here?
You will use was as a relative pronoun after other indefinite words such as alles (everything), nichts (nothing), viel (much), and wenig (little). You also use it after neuter adjectives acting as nouns, like das Beste (the best).
Why does the verb fasziniert go at the very end of the sentence?
The word was introduces a relative clause, which is a type of subordinate clause. In German subordinate clauses, the conjugated verb is always pushed to the very end.
Why do we use the accusative mich instead of the dative mir?
The verb faszinieren takes a direct object in the accusative case. The waterfall is the subject doing the fascinating, and you are the direct object receiving the action, so you must use mich.