Hier vs Dort

In German, hier and dort mark different kinds of location relative to the speaker, and choosing between them shapes how listeners picture where things are.

Hier

use hier to point to something very close to the speaker, often within arm's reach or immediately at hand.

Examples

German Example	English Translation	Context
🪑Der Stuhl ist hier neben dem Tisch.	The chair is here next to the table.	Speaker points to nearby chair.
🗺️Ich habe die Karte hier auf dem Regal gelegt.	I placed the map here on the shelf.	Map visible on nearby shelf.
🕯️Das Licht hier ist viel heller.	The light here is much brighter.	Comparing lighting in two spots.
📖Ich lese das Buch hier im Sessel.	I’m reading the book here in the armchair.	Cozy reading spot nearby.

More Examples

German Example	English Translation	Context
🧴Die Flasche steht hier auf der Fensterbank.	The bottle is here on the windowsill.	Bottle catches sunlight nearby.
🔑Die Schlüssel liegen hier in der Schale.	The keys are here in the bowl.	Bowl on the entrance table.
🧺Ich habe die Wäsche hier auf dem Stuhl aufgehängt.	I hung the laundry here on the chair.	Laundry drying close by.
🖊️Der Stift liegt hier auf meinem Notizblock.	The pen is here on my notepad.	Workspace on the table.

Dort

use dort to indicate a place farther from the speaker, typically out of reach or at some noticeable distance.

Examples

German Example	English Translation	Context
🌳Die Bank ist dort unter dem großen Baum.	The bench is over there under the big tree.	Distant landmark in park.
🏪Das Café ist dort an der Ecke neben der Apotheke.	The café is over there on the corner next to the pharmacy.	Directions on the street.
🗼Dort sieht man den Turm von weitem leuchten.	Over there you can see the tower shining from afar.	Skyline view.
🐕Die Hunde spielen dort auf der Wiese.	The dogs are playing over there on the meadow.	Faraway scene.

More Examples

German Example	English Translation	Context
🚲Mein Fahrrad steht dort am Laternenpfahl.	My bike is over there at the lamppost.	Parking spot across the street.
🧍Sie wartet dort neben dem roten Schild.	She is waiting over there next to the red sign.	Meeting point visible afar.
🗑️Dort ist ein Mülleimer, wenn du deinen Becher wegwerfen willst.	There’s a trash can over there if you want to throw away your cup.	Helpful direction.
🧭Wir treffen uns dort, wo der Weg sich teilt.	We’re meeting over there where the path splits.	Navigation landmark.

Da

da often stands in between hier and dort; it can refer to a nearby place that is not immediately at hand or be used more abstractly in speech.

Examples

German Example	English Translation	Context
🥾Ich habe mein Handy da in die Tasche gesteckt.	I put my phone in the pocket there.	Pocket just mentioned.
🧢Der Hut liegt da auf dem Stuhl.	The hat is lying there on the chair.	Chair just pointed out.
🛒Die Einkaufszettel hab ich da in der Schublade.	I have the shopping list there in the drawer.	Drawer referenced earlier.
🧴Das Handdesinfektionsmittel steht da neben der Tür.	The hand sanitizer is there next to the door.	Spot indicated before.

More Examples

German Example	English Translation	Context
🗞️Die Zeitung liegt da auf dem Gartenstuhl.	The newspaper is lying there on the garden chair.	Outdoor seating area.
🔦Ich habe die Taschenlampe da in der Kommode.	I have the flashlight there in the dresser.	Storage place identified.
🧷Die Sicherheitsnadeln sind da im Nähkästchen.	The safety pins are there in the sewing box.	Small container nearby.
🧸Das Kuscheltier liegt da auf dem Fensterbrett.	The stuffed animal is lying there on the windowsill.	Child’s room detail.

Summary

use hier for very near locations, dort for more distant places, and da for intermediate or context-dependent references; paying attention to these small distinctions helps listeners picture scenes accurately.

Last updated: Sun Sep 14, 2025