Significado
Asking about a current situation.
Contexto cultural
Dutch people value directness. Asking 'Wat is er aan de hand?' is a common way to address tension or confusion immediately without being considered rude. In Flanders, you might hear 'Wat scheelt er?' more often than in the Netherlands, especially in personal or medical contexts. In Surinamese Dutch, the phrase is used but often accompanied by more expressive body language or followed by Sranan Tongo expressions. It is used as a 'status check'. It’s not just for problems; it can be for any change in the expected plan.
The 'Er' Rule
Never forget the 'er'. It's the glue that holds the sentence together. Without it, the sentence sounds broken.
Don't use as a 'Hello'
If you use this as a greeting, people will think they have something on their face or that they look sick!
Significado
Asking about a current situation.
The 'Er' Rule
Never forget the 'er'. It's the glue that holds the sentence together. Without it, the sentence sounds broken.
Don't use as a 'Hello'
If you use this as a greeting, people will think they have something on their face or that they look sick!
Use with 'iets'
If you're not sure if something is wrong, ask 'Is er iets aan de hand?' (Is something going on?). It's slightly more polite.
Ponte a prueba
Fill in the missing word in the standard phrase.
Wat is ___ aan de hand?
The word 'er' is the mandatory placeholder subject in this idiom.
Which sentence is the correct past tense version?
You want to ask what was going on yesterday.
We change 'is' to 'was' and keep the 'er'.
Match the response to the question: 'Wat is er aan de hand?'
Someone asks you this while pointing at a broken window.
This provides an explanation for the situation.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Je ziet er verdrietig uit. _____ B: Ik heb mijn baan verloren.
This is the most appropriate question when someone looks sad.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Ayudas visuales
Banco de ejercicios
4 ejerciciosWat is ___ aan de hand?
The word 'er' is the mandatory placeholder subject in this idiom.
You want to ask what was going on yesterday.
We change 'is' to 'was' and keep the 'er'.
Someone asks you this while pointing at a broken window.
This provides an explanation for the situation.
A: Je ziet er verdrietig uit. _____ B: Ik heb mijn baan verloren.
This is the most appropriate question when someone looks sad.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Preguntas frecuentes
10 preguntasNo, you must include 'er'. It's a grammatical requirement in Dutch for this idiom.
It's neutral. You can use it with your boss or your best friend.
Historically, it referred to things being 'at hand' or 'in progress', like leading a horse by the hand.
You can say 'Niets' (Nothing) or explain the situation: 'De trein is te laat.'
Only if you mean 'What's going on with your health?'. If you want to ask about a specific wound on a hand, say 'Wat heb je aan je hand?'.
Yes, but 'Wat is er?' is shorter and more immediate. 'Wat is er aan de hand?' sounds like you are asking about a larger situation.
Yes, it's very common in emails, texts, and books.
Usually, yes. It implies that the situation is unusual or unexpected.
In Flanders, 'Wat is er aan de hand?' is understood, but 'Wat scheelt er?' is very common.
Use the past tense: 'Wat was er aan de hand?'.
Frases relacionadas
Er is niets aan de hand
contrastNothing is wrong / Everything is fine.
Wat is er?
similarWhat is it? / What's up?
Wat is er loos?
synonymWhat's going on?
Wat heb je aan je hand?
contrastWhat's wrong with your (physical) hand?
