Demonstrative pronouns in German are used to point out specific persons, things, or groups. They replace a noun and emphasize exactly what you are referring to, similar to this one, that one, these, or those in English.
- The main German demonstrative pronouns are dieser (this/these) and jener (that/those).
- They must agree in gender, number, and case with the noun they replace.
- anderer (another) and selbst (self) can also function as pronouns, but dieser and jener* are the core demonstratives.
- Demonstrative pronouns often appear in more formal or written German. In everyday speech, der/die/das can also be used demonstratively.
Table: Declension of Demonstrative Pronouns
The most common demonstrative pronoun is dieser. Below is its full declension:
| Case | Masculine | Feminine | Neuter | Plural | Example (Masculine Singular Accusative) | Example (English) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nominative | dieser | diese | dieses | diese | Dieser Mann* ist Lehrer. | This man is a teacher. |
| Accusative | diesen | diese | dieses | diese | Ich sehe diesen Mann. | I see this man. |
| Dative | diesem | dieser | diesem | diesen | Ich gebe diesem Mann das Buch. | I give this man the book. |
| Genitive | dieses | dieser | dieses | dieser | Das ist das Buch dieses Mannes. | That is this man’s book. |
Usage Rules
Demonstrative pronouns replace a noun and refer back to something specific in the context. They do not stand alone without an understood reference.
- Use dieser/diese/dieses to refer to something close or something you want to emphasize.
- Use jener/jene/jenes to refer to something more distant or less directly connected.
- Must always match the gender, number, and case of the noun they are replacing.
Examples in Context
| German Example | English Example |
|---|---|
| Ich nehme diesen Stift, nicht jenen. | I’ll take this pen, not that one. |
| Welches Buch möchtest du? Dieses oder jenes? | Which book do you want? This one or that one? |
| Diese sind teuer, aber jene sind günstiger. | These are expensive, but those are cheaper. |
| Ich kenne diese Frau. | I know this woman. |
| Jenes Haus ist sehr groß. | That house (over there) is very big. |
Additional Notes
- Der/die/das + relative clause can also act like demonstrative pronouns: Der, der hier steht, ist mein Vater (The one who is standing here is my father).
- Demonstrative pronouns are more common in written and formal German.
Flashcards (1 of 9)
- Case: Nominative
- Masculine: dieser
- Feminine: diese
- Neuter: dieses
- Plural: diese
- Example (Masculine Singular Accusative): Dieser Mann ist Lehrer.
- Example (English): This man is a teacher.
Last updated: Wed Jun 18, 2025
