vanwaar

Vanwaar is a Dutch interrogative adverb meaning “from where.” It is used to ask about origin or source, often in questions such as Vanwaar kom je? (“Where are you from?”) or Vanwaar komt dit bericht? In indirect questions, it can appear in forms like Hij vroeg vanwaar hij kwam.

Etymology and variants: Vanwaar is formed from the preposition van (from) and the interrogative waar (where). It exists alongside the two‑word expression waarvandaan, which also means “from where.” In contemporary Dutch, waarvandaan is generally more common in everyday speech, while vanwaar is observed more in literary, formal, or archaic contexts. Some writers use vanwaar for stylistic effect or in fixed phrases.

Usage and register: Vanwaar tends to appear in more formal or historical styles and can be found at the start of a sentence (Vanwaar komt dit verhaal?). In everyday speech, speakers more often use waarvandaan, or they recast the question as Waar komt dit vandaan? to emphasize origin. The choice between vanwaar and waarvandaan can convey subtle differences in formality and emphasis.

See also: waarvandaan, vandaan, waar, from where. In Dutch-language resources, vanwaar is described as a traditional or literary form, with waarvandaan serving as the common modern alternative for asking about origin.