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This lesson teaches you essential Dutch indefinite pronouns like ieder (each person), elk (each thing), alles (everything), wat (what), wie (who), and allemaal (all), focusing on their correct usage with examples.
  1. 'Ieder' is used for persons, 'elk' for things.
  2. You use ieder/elk for het-woorden.
  3. You use 'ieder/elke' for 'de-woorden'.
  4. 'Wie' refers to persons.
  5. 'Wat' says something about zaken.
GebruikVoornaamwoord (Pronoun)Voorbeeld (Example)
Bijvoeglijk gebruik (Adjective use)ieder(e) (every)Ieder mens heeft een naam. (Every person has a name.)
Iedere leerling is geslaagd. (Every student has passed.)
elk(e) (each)Elk huis heeft een deur. (Every house has a door.)
Ik ontbijt elke dag. (I have breakfast every day.)
Zelfstandig gebruik (Independent use)ieder (each)Aan ieder gaf hij een geschenk. (He gave a gift to each one.)
elk (each)Op elk van haar broeken zit een vlek. (There is a stain on each of her trousers.)
alles (Everything is possible.)Alles is mogelijk. (Everything is possible.)
wie (Everything is possible.)Wie het eerst komt, mag kiezen. (Whoever comes first may choose.)
wat (What you do, everything is good.)Wat je maar doet, alles is goed. (Whatever you do, everything is fine.)
allemaal (all)Hebben jullie allemaal de opdracht gemaakt? (Have you all completed the assignment?)

Exceptions!

  1. With an interrogative pronoun, as an indefinite pronoun you can only use allemaal.
  2. Alles you use for matters.

Exercise 1: Onbepaalde voornaamworden (ieder, elk, alles, wat, wie, allemaal)

Instruction: Fill in the correct word.

Show translation Show answers

Elke, Ieder, Iedere, allemaal, elk, Elk, Alles

1.
... leerling doet zijn best in de klas.
(Every student does their best in class.)
2.
In ... huis staat een oven in de keuken.
(In every house, there is an oven in the kitchen.)
3.
... van ons gebruikt wel eens een stofzuiger.
(Each of us uses a vacuum cleaner at times.)
4.
Wie gebruikt ... het strijkijzer?
(Who is using the iron?)
5.
... in de wasmachine wordt schoon gewassen.
(Everything in the washing machine is washed clean.)
6.
... vriezer moet regelmatig schoongemaakt worden.
(Every freezer must be cleaned regularly.)
7.
... kast in de keuken is vol.
(Every cupboard in the kitchen is full.)
8.
... kind mag meedoen met het spel.
(Every child may participate in the game.)

Exercise 2: Multiple Choice

Instruction: Choose the correct solution

1. ___ dag gebruik ik de wasmachine om de kleren schoon te maken.

(___ day I use the washing machine to clean the clothes.)

2. ___ apparaat in de keuken heeft een gebruiksaanwijzing.

(___ appliance in the kitchen has an instruction manual.)

3. ___ in het huis werkt goed, van de oven tot de koelkast.

(___ in the house works well, from the oven to the refrigerator.)

4. ___ de televisie aanzet, moet ook zorgen dat hij weer uitgaat.

(___ turns on the TV must also make sure it is turned off again.)

5. Hebben jullie ___ het stofzuigen gedaan?

(Did you ___ do the vacuuming?)

6. ___ oven in dit appartement werkt op elektriciteit.

(___ oven in this apartment runs on electricity.)

Indefinite Pronouns in Dutch: ieder, elk, alles, wat, wie, allemaal

This lesson introduces you to important Dutch indefinite pronouns that refer to non-specific people or things. Understanding these pronouns will help you communicate more naturally when you want to generalize or talk about something or someone unknown or unspecified.

What Are Indefinite Pronouns?

Indefinite pronouns are words that replace nouns without specifying exactly who or what we mean. In Dutch, common indefinite pronouns include ieder, elk, alles, wat, wie, and allemaal.

Two Types of Use: Adjective & Noun Function

These pronouns can be used in two main ways:

  • Adjective Use: When they describe a noun. For example, Ieder mens heeft een naam. (Every person has a name.)
  • Substantive (Noun) Use: When they stand alone as the subject or object in a sentence. For example, Alles is mogelijk. (Everything is possible.)

Key Pronouns and Their Usage

  • ieder (ieder/iedere): Mainly used for people and with de-words (common gender nouns). Examples: Ieder mens heeft een naam.
  • elk (elk/elke): Generally used for things and with both het-words (neuter gender nouns) and de-words. Example: Elk huis heeft een deur.
  • alles: Translates as “everything,” used to refer to things.
  • wie: Refers only to people (“who”).
  • wat: Refers only to things (“what”).
  • allemaal: Used in questions or statements referring to groups, meaning “all” or “everyone.”

Gender and Word Class Considerations

In Dutch, nouns are either de-words (common gender) or het-words (neuter gender). Pronouns like ieder and elk agree with these genders:

  • Iedere/elke is used with de-words
  • Ieder/elk is used with het-words

Examples of Indefinite Pronouns in Sentences

Look at these natural Dutch examples you will find in this lesson's material:

  • Iedere leerling is geslaagd. (Every student has passed.)
  • Op elk van haar broeken zit een vlek. (On each of her pants there is a stain.)
  • Hebben jullie allemaal de opdracht gemaakt? (Have you all completed the assignment?)
  • Wie het eerst komt, mag kiezen. (Who comes first may choose.)

Differences Between English and Dutch

Unlike English, where we commonly say “every” or “each” for people and things without gender distinction, Dutch distinguishes based on noun gender and category. For instance, you use ieder mostly for people and elk for things. Also, “who” translates as wie, but “what” is wat, and both are different indefinite pronouns depending on context. Finally, allemaal is often used for groups meaning “all” and doesn’t have an exact one-word English equivalent in all contexts.

Useful Words and Phrases to Remember

  • Ieder(e) – every (used for people)
  • Elk(e) – every, each (used for things)
  • Alles – everything
  • Wie – who (refers to people)
  • Wat – what (refers to things)
  • Allemaal – all, everyone (refers to groups)

Keep these words in mind as they form a foundation for everyday Dutch expressions involving general statements or questions.

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Kato De Paepe

Business and languages

KdG University of Applied Sciences and Arts Antwerp

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Last Updated:

Thursday, 17/07/2025 04:40