Ways to say it
| Old English | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| þæt | /θæt/ | neuter |
| sē | masculine | |
| sēo | feminine |
These words are used to indicate what is being pointed out. The form þæt is versatile and can function as both a demonstrative determiner and a demonstrative pronoun. Additionally, the related word swā can be used as an adverb meaning 'to a given extent or degree'.
Which one should you use?
While modern English uses 'that' for all genders, Old English requires you to select a form based on the gender of the noun: sē for masculine, sēo for feminine and þæt for neuter.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In the Mercian dialect, the form þet was commonly used to mean 'that', replacing the standard þæt in some contexts.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The form of the demonstrative must agree in gender with the noun it modifies. The neuter form þæt can serve as both a determiner and a pronoun.
How do you pronounce it?
/θæt/
Did you know?
- The letter þ used in þæt is called 'thorn' and was created by adapting the Roman alphabet to represent a sound that Latin did not have.
- The character þ eventually evolved into the 'th' digraph we use today in words like 'that' and 'the'.
- In Old English, the choice between sē, sēo and þæt depended on grammatical gender, meaning a 'stone' or 'sun' could be masculine, feminine or neuter.
Examples in context
- Þæt is þīn bōc.That is your book.This sentence shows how to use þæt to identify a book.Tatoeba #1360174 by rul, translation #67105 by CK
- For hwȳ is þæt?Why does that exist?This sentence uses þæt to ask why something exists.Tatoeba #13918801 by rul, translation #10059157 by espamatics
- Hwī wrāt hē þæt?Why did he write that?This sentence demonstrates using þæt as the object of the verb 'to write'.Tatoeba #8549124 by Rawrren, translation #8549127 by Rawrren
- Se mann þe ic geseahThat man whom I saw
- Ic seah þætI saw that
- 17 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Wulfrun and Æthelstan are looking at a small carved object.
- WulfrunHwæt is þæt?What is that?
- ÆthelstanÞæt is gōdes cyninges ġiefu.That is a good king's gift.
- WulfrunIs þæt of golde?Is that made of gold?
- ÆthelstanGēa, þæt is gold.Yes, that is gold.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “that” translations and entries þæt, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
