How to Say “This” in German: Formal and Informal Ways

Understanding how to express “this” in German is fundamental for basic communication. Unlike English, German uses different words for “this” depending on the gender, number, and case of the noun it modifies.

This article provides a thorough exploration of the German equivalents of “this,” covering their forms, usage, and common pitfalls. Whether you are a beginner or an intermediate learner, this guide will equip you with the knowledge and practice to confidently use “this” in various German contexts.

This is essential to properly speaking and writing German.

Table of Contents

• Introduction
• Definition of “This” in German
• Structural Breakdown
• Types and Categories
  • Dieser (Masculine)
  • Diese (Feminine)
  • Dieses (Neuter)
  • Diese (Plural)
• Examples
  • Nominative Case Examples
  • Accusative Case Examples
  • Dative Case Examples
  • Genitive Case Examples
• Usage Rules
• Common Mistakes
• Practice Exercises
  • Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks
  • Exercise 2: Translate the Sentences
• Advanced Topics
• FAQ
• Conclusion

Definition of “This” in German

In German, the word “this” is primarily translated using the demonstrative pronouns and adjectives dieser (masculine), diese (feminine), dieses (neuter), and diese (plural). These words indicate a specific person, object, or concept that is near or present to the speaker. Unlike English, German requires these words to agree in gender, number, and case with the noun they modify or replace. Understanding the nuances of these forms is crucial for accurate and natural German communication. These demonstrative adjectives and pronouns play a crucial role in pointing out specific items or individuals within a given context.

The function of “dieser,” “diese,” and “dieses” is twofold: they can act as demonstrative adjectives, modifying a noun, or as demonstrative pronouns, replacing a noun. When used as adjectives, they precede the noun and provide specific information about it. When used as pronouns, they stand alone and refer back to a noun that has already been mentioned or is understood from the context. The declension of these words varies depending on the case (nominative, accusative, dative, genitive) and the gender and number of the noun they relate to. Correct declension is vital for grammatical accuracy.

Structural Breakdown

The German words for “this” (dieser, diese, dieses, diese) are demonstrative adjectives and pronouns. This means their form changes depending on the grammatical gender (masculine, feminine, neuter), number (singular, plural), and case (nominative, accusative, dative, genitive) of the noun they refer to. The declension patterns are similar to those of definite articles (der, die, das), which can be helpful for learners. The basic structure involves selecting the correct form of “dieser” based on these grammatical features. This will ensure grammatical correctness.

For example, if you want to say “this man,” and “man” (Mann) is masculine, singular, and in the nominative case, you would use “dieser Mann.” However, if you want to say “I see this man,” and “man” is now in the accusative case, you would use “diesen Mann.” The ending of “dieser” changes to reflect the case. Similarly, if you are referring to “this woman” (Frau), which is feminine, you would use “diese Frau.” Understanding these declension rules is fundamental to using “this” correctly in German sentences. Knowing the gender of the noun is critical.

Types and Categories

The German equivalents of “this” are categorized based on the gender and number of the noun they modify or replace. Here’s a breakdown of each form:

Dieser (Masculine)

Dieser is used for masculine nouns in the singular form. Its declension changes based on the case.

Diese (Feminine)

Diese is used for feminine nouns in the singular form. Its declension also changes according to the case.

Dieses (Neuter)

Dieses is used for neuter nouns in the singular form. Like the other forms, it changes based on the case.

Diese (Plural)

Diese is used for plural nouns, regardless of their gender. The declension of diese in the plural form also varies depending on the case. Plural forms are essential for correctly referring to multiple items.

Examples

The following examples illustrate how “dieser,” “diese,” “dieses,” and “diese” are used in different cases. Each table provides 20-30 examples to help you understand the nuances of each form.

Nominative Case Examples

The nominative case is used for the subject of a sentence. The following table shows examples of “this” in the nominative case for masculine, feminine, neuter, and plural nouns.

Notice how the form of “this” changes depending on the gender and number of the noun.

Gender/Number	German	English
Masculine Singular	Dieser Mann ist freundlich.	This man is friendly.
Feminine Singular	Diese Frau ist intelligent.	This woman is intelligent.
Neuter Singular	Dieses Kind ist süß.	This child is cute.
Plural	Diese Bücher sind interessant.	These books are interesting.
Masculine Singular	Dieser Hund bellt laut.	This dog barks loudly.
Feminine Singular	Diese Katze schläft.	This cat is sleeping.
Neuter Singular	Dieses Haus ist groß.	This house is big.
Plural	Diese Autos sind schnell.	These cars are fast.
Masculine Singular	Dieser Lehrer ist streng.	This teacher is strict.
Feminine Singular	Diese Studentin lernt fleißig.	This female student studies diligently.
Neuter Singular	Dieses Beispiel ist hilfreich.	This example is helpful.
Plural	Diese Äpfel sind reif.	These apples are ripe.
Masculine Singular	Dieser Tag ist schön.	This day is beautiful.
Feminine Singular	Diese Nacht ist ruhig.	This night is quiet.
Neuter Singular	Dieses Problem ist schwierig.	This problem is difficult.
Plural	Diese Fragen sind wichtig.	These questions are important.
Masculine Singular	Dieser Film ist spannend.	This movie is exciting.
Feminine Singular	Diese Musik ist schön.	This music is beautiful.
Neuter Singular	Dieses Lied ist bekannt.	This song is well-known.
Plural	Diese Leute sind freundlich.	These people are friendly.
Masculine Singular	Dieser Zug ist pünktlich.	This train is on time.
Feminine Singular	Diese Tür ist offen.	This door is open.
Neuter Singular	Dieses Fenster ist geschlossen.	This window is closed.
Plural	Diese Stühle sind bequem.	These chairs are comfortable.

Accusative Case Examples

The accusative case is used for the direct object of a verb. The following table shows examples of “this” in the accusative case.

Notice the changes in the forms of “dieser,” “diese,” and “dieses.”

Gender/Number	German	English
Masculine Singular	Ich sehe diesen Mann.	I see this man.
Feminine Singular	Ich sehe diese Frau.	I see this woman.
Neuter Singular	Ich sehe dieses Kind.	I see this child.
Plural	Ich sehe diese Bücher.	I see these books.
Masculine Singular	Er hört diesen Hund.	He hears this dog.
Feminine Singular	Sie streichelt diese Katze.	She pets this cat.
Neuter Singular	Wir bauen dieses Haus.	We are building this house.
Plural	Du kaufst diese Autos.	You are buying these cars.
Masculine Singular	Ich respektiere diesen Lehrer.	I respect this teacher.
Feminine Singular	Ich kenne diese Studentin.	I know this female student.
Neuter Singular	Ich verstehe dieses Beispiel.	I understand this example.
Plural	Ich esse diese Äpfel.	I am eating these apples.
Masculine Singular	Ich genieße diesen Tag.	I am enjoying this day.
Feminine Singular	Ich mag diese Nacht.	I like this night.
Neuter Singular	Ich löse dieses Problem.	I am solving this problem.
Plural	Ich beantworte diese Fragen.	I am answering these questions.
Masculine Singular	Ich sehe diesen Film.	I am watching this movie.
Feminine Singular	Ich höre diese Musik.	I am listening to this music.
Neuter Singular	Ich singe dieses Lied.	I am singing this song.
Plural	Ich mag diese Leute.	I like these people.
Masculine Singular	Ich nehme diesen Zug.	I am taking this train.
Feminine Singular	Ich schließe diese Tür.	I am closing this door.
Neuter Singular	Ich öffne dieses Fenster.	I am opening this window.
Plural	Ich brauche diese Stühle.	I need these chairs.

Dative Case Examples

The dative case is used for the indirect object of a verb and after certain prepositions. The following table provides examples of “this” in the dative case, showcasing the changes in form.

Gender/Number	German	English
Masculine Singular	Ich helfe diesem Mann.	I am helping this man.
Feminine Singular	Ich helfe dieser Frau.	I am helping this woman.
Neuter Singular	Ich helfe diesem Kind.	I am helping this child.
Plural	Ich helfe diesen Büchern.	I am helping these books (metaphorically).
Masculine Singular	Ich gebe diesem Hund Futter.	I give this dog food.
Feminine Singular	Ich gebe dieser Katze Milch.	I give this cat milk.
Neuter Singular	Ich wohne in diesem Haus.	I live in this house.
Plural	Ich fahre mit diesen Autos.	I drive with these cars.
Masculine Singular	Ich vertraue diesem Lehrer.	I trust this teacher.
Feminine Singular	Ich glaube dieser Studentin.	I believe this female student.
Neuter Singular	Ich folge diesem Beispiel.	I follow this example.
Plural	Ich schenke diesen Äpfeln keine Beachtung.	I pay no attention to these apples.
Masculine Singular	Ich freue mich auf diesen Tag.	I am looking forward to this day.
Feminine Singular	Ich träume von dieser Nacht.	I dream of this night.
Neuter Singular	Ich arbeite an diesem Problem.	I am working on this problem.
Plural	Ich antworte auf diesen Fragen.	I am answering these questions.
Masculine Singular	Ich bin beeindruckt von diesem Film.	I am impressed by this movie.
Feminine Singular	Ich bin begeistert von dieser Musik.	I am enthusiastic about this music.
Neuter Singular	Ich erinnere mich an diesem Lied.	I remember this song.
Plural	Ich spreche mit diesen Leuten.	I am talking to these people.
Masculine Singular	Ich steige in diesem Zug ein.	I am getting on this train.
Feminine Singular	Ich lehne mich an dieser Tür.	I am leaning against this door.
Neuter Singular	Ich schaue aus diesem Fenster.	I am looking out of this window.
Plural	Ich sitze auf diesen Stühlen.	I am sitting on these chairs.

Genitive Case Examples

The genitive case is used to show possession or relationship, but is increasingly replaced by the dative case with the preposition “von” in spoken German. However, it’s important to recognize the genitive forms.

The following table provides examples of “this” in the genitive case.

Gender/Number	German	English
Masculine Singular	Der Name dieses Mannes ist unbekannt.	This man’s name is unknown.
Feminine Singular	Die Meinung dieser Frau ist wichtig.	This woman’s opinion is important.
Neuter Singular	Die Farbe dieses Kindes Spielzeug ist blau.	This child’s toy’s color is blue.
Plural	Die Bücher dieser Studenten sind teuer.	These students’ books are expensive.
Masculine Singular	Die Loyalität dieses Hundes ist bemerkenswert.	This dog’s loyalty is remarkable.
Feminine Singular	Das Futter dieser Katze ist hochwertig.	This cat’s food is high quality.
Neuter Singular	Die Größe dieses Hauses ist beeindruckend.	This house’s size is impressive.
Plural	Die Reifen dieser Autos sind neu.	These cars’ tires are new.
Masculine Singular	Die Lehrmethoden dieses Lehrers sind effektiv.	This teacher’s teaching methods are effective.
Feminine Singular	Die Leistungen dieser Studentin sind hervorragend.	This female student’s achievements are outstanding.
Neuter Singular	Die Klarheit dieses Beispiels ist deutlich.	This example’s clarity is clear.
Plural	Der Geschmack dieser Äpfel ist köstlich.	These apples’ taste is delicious.
Masculine Singular	Die Bedeutung dieses Tages ist wichtig.	This day’s significance is important.
Feminine Singular	Die Stille dieser Nacht ist friedlich.	This night’s silence is peaceful.
Neuter Singular	Die Lösung dieses Problems ist kompliziert.	This problem’s solution is complicated.
Plural	Die Antworten dieser Fragen sind aufschlussreich.	These questions’ answers are insightful.
Masculine Singular	Die Handlung dieses Films ist fesselnd.	This movie’s plot is captivating.
Feminine Singular	Der Rhythmus dieser Musik ist ansprechend.	This music’s rhythm is appealing.
Neuter Singular	Der Text dieses Liedes ist poetisch.	This song’s lyrics are poetic.
Plural	Die Ansichten dieser Leute sind unterschiedlich.	These people’s views are different.
Masculine Singular	Die Verspätung dieses Zuges ist ärgerlich.	This train’s delay is annoying.
Feminine Singular	Die Farbe dieser Tür ist blau.	This door’s color is blue.
Neuter Singular	Die Größe dieses Fensters ist ungewöhnlich.	This window’s size is unusual.
Plural	Der Komfort dieser Stühle ist ausgezeichnet.	These chairs’ comfort is excellent.

Usage Rules

The primary rule is that dieser, diese, dieses, and diese must agree in gender, number, and case with the noun they modify or replace. This requires a solid understanding of German noun genders and case declensions. In addition, the use of “dieser” often implies a closer proximity or a more specific emphasis than a simple definite article (“der,” “die,” “das”). It highlights the particular item or person being referred to.

When using dieser as a pronoun, it stands alone and refers to a previously mentioned noun. For example: “Ich habe ein Buch gelesen. Dieser war sehr interessant.” (I read a book. This one was very interesting.). Here, “dieser” refers back to “Buch.” It is also used to distinguish between multiple items: “Ich habe zwei Stifte, dieser ist rot und dieser ist blau.” (I have two pens, this one is red and this one is blue.). Pay attention to the context to ensure the correct form is used.

Common Mistakes

A common mistake is using the wrong form of “dieser” due to incorrect gender or case identification. For example, saying “Ich sehe diese Mann” instead of “Ich sehe diesen Mann” (I see this man) because “Mann” is masculine and in the accusative case, requiring the “diesen” form.

Another mistake is using the nominative case when another case is required by the verb or preposition. For example, incorrect: “Ich helfe dieser Mann.” Correct: “Ich helfe diesem Mann” (I am helping this man.).

Another frequent error is confusing “dieser” with “der,” “die,” or “das” (the definite articles). While they share similar declension patterns, “dieser” emphasizes a specific item, while “der,” “die,” and “das” simply indicate a known item.

For example, saying “Der Mann ist freundlich” (The man is friendly) is a general statement, while “Dieser Mann ist freundlich” (This man is friendly) emphasizes a specific man. Also, ensure you do not use “dieser” when “es” (it) or other personal pronouns are more appropriate.

For example, instead of saying “Dieser ist gut” when referring to a previously mentioned neuter noun, use “Es ist gut.”

Incorrect	Correct	Explanation
Ich sehe diese Mann.	Ich sehe diesen Mann.	“Mann” is masculine accusative, requiring “diesen.”
Ich helfe dieser Mann.	Ich helfe diesem Mann.	“Mann” is masculine dative, requiring “diesem.”
Dieser ist gut (referring to a neuter noun).	Es ist gut.	Use “es” (it) for neuter nouns already mentioned.
Diese Buch ist interessant.	Dieses Buch ist interessant.	“Buch” is neuter nominative, requiring “dieses.”
Ich mag dieser Frau.	Ich mag diese Frau.	“Frau” is feminine accusative, requiring “diese.”

Practice Exercises

Test your understanding of “this” in German with the following exercises. These exercises cover various cases and genders to help you solidify your knowledge.

Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks

Fill in the blanks with the correct form of “dieser,” “diese,” or “dieses.”

#	Sentence	Answer
1	_______ Tisch ist alt. (The table is old.)	Dieser
2	Ich sehe _______ Frau. (I see this woman.)	diese
3	_______ Buch gehört mir. (This book belongs to me.)	Dieses
4	Ich mag _______ Blumen. (I like these flowers.)	diese
5	Ich helfe _______ Kind. (I am helping this child.)	diesem
6	Der Name _______ Mannes ist Paul. (This man’s name is Paul.)	dieses
7	_______ Lampe ist hell. (This lamp is bright.)	Diese
8	Ich kaufe _______ Auto. (I am buying this car.)	dieses
9	Ich spreche mit _______ Leuten. (I am talking to these people.)	diesen
10	_______ Stuhl ist bequem. (This chair is comfortable.)	Dieser

Exercise 2: Translate the Sentences

Translate the following sentences into German, using the correct form of “this.”

#	English Sentence	German Translation
1	This house is beautiful.	Dieses Haus ist schön.
2	I know this man.	Ich kenne diesen Mann.
3	This woman is my mother.	Diese Frau ist meine Mutter.
4	These children are playing.	Diese Kinder spielen.
5	I am reading this book.	Ich lese dieses Buch.
6	I am helping this student.	Ich helfe diesem Studenten.
7	This car is fast.	Dieses Auto ist schnell.
8	I am using these computers.	Ich benutze diese Computer.
9	This problem is difficult.	Dieses Problem ist schwierig.
10	I am answering these questions.	Ich beantworte diese Fragen.

Advanced Topics

At an advanced level, you might encounter “dieser” used in more nuanced ways. For instance, it can be used to express a sense of disapproval or irony.

Consider the sentence, “Dieser schlaue Kerl hat schon wieder etwas angestellt!” (That clever guy has done something again!). Here, “dieser” adds a layer of sarcasm.

In legal and formal contexts, you might also see archaic genitive forms used more frequently. Advanced learners should also focus on mastering the declension of “derselbe,” “dieselbe,” and “dasselbe” (the same), which are related to “dieser” and follow similar declension patterns.

Furthermore, advanced learners should explore the use of demonstrative pronouns in complex sentence structures. For example, understanding how to use “dieser” in relative clauses or in conjunction with prepositions requires a deep understanding of German grammar.

Also, it’s beneficial to read authentic German texts and listen to native speakers to observe how “dieser” and its variants are used in real-world contexts. Paying attention to context and nuance will refine your understanding and usage.

FAQ

1. What’s the difference between dieser and der?

   Dieser (this) emphasizes a specific item or person, while der (the) simply identifies a known item. Dieser is more specific and often implies proximity or particular importance.

2. How do I know which case to use with dieser?

   The case depends on the verb or preposition governing the noun. Nominative is for the subject, accusative for the direct object, dative for the indirect object or after certain prepositions, and genitive to show possession (though often replaced by dative + von).

3. Can dieser be used alone as a pronoun?

   Yes, dieser, diese, and dieses can be used as pronouns to replace a noun that has already been mentioned or is understood from the context.

4. Is the genitive case still important with dieser?

   While less common in spoken German, the genitive case is still used in formal writing and certain fixed expressions. It’s important to recognize the genitive forms even if you don’t use them actively.

5. How does the plural form diese change in different cases?

   Diese in the plural changes as follows: Nominative: diese, Accusative: diese, Dative: diesen, Genitive: dieser.

6. What if I’m unsure of a noun’s gender?

   Always look up the noun in a dictionary to determine its gender. Gender is crucial for using the correct form of “dieser.” Knowing the gender from the start is the best practice.

7. Are there any regional differences in the usage of “dieser”?

   While the basic grammar remains consistent, some regional dialects might prefer certain alternative constructions or have subtle nuances in their usage of demonstrative pronouns. However, the forms discussed in this article are universally understood.

8. How can I practice using “dieser” effectively?

   Practice by creating your own sentences, translating from English to German, and reading German texts. Pay attention to how native speakers use “dieser” in different contexts. Consistent practice is key to mastery.

Conclusion

Mastering the German equivalents of “this” – dieser, diese, dieses, and diese – is crucial for expressing specific references in German. By understanding their declensions based on gender, number, and case, you can significantly improve your grammatical accuracy and fluency. Remember to pay close attention to the context and practice regularly to solidify your knowledge. Continued practice and attention to detail will lead to mastery.

This comprehensive guide has provided you with the necessary tools and examples to confidently use “this” in various German contexts. Keep practicing, and don’t be afraid to make mistakes – they are a natural part of the learning process.

With persistent effort, you’ll become proficient in using these essential demonstrative adjectives and pronouns. Good luck with your German language journey!

Learn this phrase in other languages: How to say “This” in French