Demonstratives (dieser, diese, das)
Demonstratives (dieser, diese, das)
dieser / diese / dieses
Agrees with gender like an adjective article pattern:
- dieser Mann, diese Frau, dieses Kind
das as pointer
Das ist mein Schlüssel. — neuter das often points at ideas/things in speech.
Plural
diese Leute
Practice
Label five objects around you with Das ist … and five with Dieser/Diese/Dieses ….
Practical Examples
- Dieser Mann ist mein Lehrer.
- This man is my teacher.
- Usage note: "Dieser" is used for masculine singular nouns in the nominative case (subject of the sentence).
- Diese Frau ist meine Schwester.
- This woman is my sister.
- Usage note: "Diese" is used for feminine singular nouns in the nominative case.
- Dieses Kind spielt im Garten.
- This child is playing in the garden.
- Usage note: "Dieses" is used for neuter singular nouns in the nominative case.
- Ich mag diesen Kaffee.
- I like this coffee.
- Usage note: "Diesen" is used for masculine singular nouns in the accusative case (direct object).
- Hast du diese Tasche gesehen?
- Have you seen this bag?
- Usage note: "Diese" is used for feminine singular nouns in the accusative case. It looks the same as the nominative form.
- Wir kaufen dieses Buch.
- We are buying this book.
- Usage note: "Dieses" is used for neuter singular nouns in the accusative case. It looks the same as the nominative form.
- Ist dieser Stuhl frei?
- Is this chair free?
- Usage note: Used in a question for a masculine singular noun in the nominative case.
- Nein, dieser Stuhl ist nicht frei.
- No, this chair is not free.
- Usage note: Used in a negation for a masculine singular noun in the nominative case.
- Ich möchte nicht diese Schuhe.
- I don't want these shoes.
- Usage note: "Diese" is also used for plural nouns (all genders) in the nominative and accusative cases. Here it's accusative plural.
- Wer ist dieser Mann dort?
- Who is this man over there?
- Usage note: Used to ask about a specific masculine person or thing.
- Gehört dieses Fahrrad dir?
- Does this bicycle belong to you?
- Usage note: Used in a question for a neuter singular noun in the nominative case.
- Ich finde diese Idee sehr gut.
- I find this idea very good.
- Usage note: "Diese" is used for the feminine singular noun "Idee" in the accusative case.
- Dieses Wetter ist perfekt für einen Spaziergang.
- This weather is perfect for a walk.
- Usage note: Used for the neuter singular noun "Wetter" in the nominative case.
- Kannst du mir diesen Bleistift geben?
- Can you give me this pencil?
- Usage note: "Diesen" is used for the masculine singular noun "Bleistift" in the accusative case.
- Diese Blumen sind für dich.
- These flowers are for you.
- Usage note: "Diese" is used for the plural noun "Blumen" in the nominative case.