How do you use "What... clauses (Noun Clauses)" in a sentence?

What I said was true. I don't understand what you mean. What matters is how you respond. Tell me what happened.

What... clauses (Noun Clauses)

Q: What does "What... clauses (Noun Clauses)" mean?

Using 'what' to mean 'the thing(s) that' 'What' can introduce a noun clause meaning 'the thing that': 'What you need is rest' = 'The thing that you need is rest.' Common in emphatic statements and can be subject or object.

Grammar Pattern BritishAmericanAustralian ★★★★★ Very Common Neutral

Meaning: Using 'what' to mean 'the thing(s) that'

用what引导名词从句，意为'...的东西'

Usar 'what' para significar 'la(s) cosa(s) que'

「what」を使って「〜すること/もの」を意味する名詞節

'what'을 사용하여 '~하는 것/~한 것'을 의미하는 명사절

'What' can introduce a noun clause meaning 'the thing that': 'What you need is rest' = 'The thing that you need is rest.' Common in emphatic statements and can be subject or object.

'What'可以引导名词从句，意为'...的事物'：'What you need is rest' = '你需要的是休息。'常用于强调句，可以作主语或宾语。

'What' puede introducir una cláusula nominal que significa 'lo que': 'What you need is rest' = 'Lo que necesitas es descanso.' Común en declaraciones enfáticas y puede ser sujeto u objeto.

「What」は「〜すること/もの」を意味する名詞節を導入できます：「What you need is rest」=「あなたが必要なのは休息です。」強調文によく使われ、主語にも目的語にもなれます。

'What'은 'the thing that(~하는 것)'을 의미하는 명사절을 이끌 수 있습니다: 'What you need is rest' = 'The thing that you need is rest.' 강조 표현에서 흔히 사용되며 주어나 목적어가 될 수 있습니다.

Examples

What I said was true.
我说的是真的。
Lo que dije era verdad.
私が言ったことは本当です。
내가 말한 것은 사실입니다.
I don't understand what you mean.
我不明白你的意思。
No entiendo lo que quieres decir.
あなたの言っていることが分かりません。
당신이 무슨 말을 하는지 모르겠습니다.
What matters is how you respond.
重要的是你如何回应。
Lo que importa es cómo respondes.
大事なのはあなたがどう対応するかです。
중요한 것은 당신이 어떻게 대응하느냐입니다.
Tell me what happened.
告诉我发生了什么。
Dime qué pasó.
何があったか教えて。
무슨 일이 있었는지 말해주세요.

Pronunciation

Usage Guide

Context: spoken, written, everyday

Tone: emphatic

✓ Do Say

What we need is more time.
我们需要的是更多时间。
Lo que necesitamos es más tiempo.
私たちに必要なのはもっと時間です。
우리에게 필요한 것은 더 많은 시간입니다.
I know what you're thinking.
我知道你在想什么。
Sé lo que estás pensando.
あなたが何を考えているか分かります。
당신이 무슨 생각을 하는지 알아요.
What surprised me was his reaction.
让我惊讶的是他的反应。
Lo que me sorprendió fue su reacción.
私を驚かせたのは彼の反応でした。
나를 놀라게 한 것은 그의 반응이었습니다.

✗ Don't Say

What that I said... (don't use 'that' with 'what')
What that I said...（what和that不能同时使用）
What that I said... (no usar 'that' con 'what')
What that I said...（「that」を「what」と一緒に使わない）
What that I said... ('what'과 'that'을 함께 사용하지 마세요)
The what he said... (don't add article)
The what he said...（不要加冠词）
The what he said... (no añadir artículo)
The what he said...（冠詞を付けない）
The what he said... (관사를 붙이지 마세요)

Origin & History

Noun clause with what

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal