Guten Tag! Welcome to our comprehensive guide on how to say “this” and “that” in the German language. In this guide, we will cover both formal and informal ways of expressing these words, focusing mainly on standard German and including regional variations when necessary. We’ll provide you with ample tips and examples throughout, so let’s get started!
Table of Contents
Formal Ways to Say “This” and “That”
When it comes to speaking formally, it is important to use proper respect and address individuals properly. Here are some formal ways to say “this” and “that” in German:
Dieses – Use “dieses” when referring to a singular masculine noun in the nominative or accusative case. For example: “Dieses Buch ist interessant.” (This book is interesting.)
Diese – Use “diese” when referring to a singular feminine noun in the nominative or accusative case. For example: “Diese Frau ist freundlich.” (This woman is friendly.)
Dieser – Use “dieser” when referring to a singular masculine noun in the nominative or accusative case. For example: “Dieser Mann ist intelligent.” (This man is intelligent.)
Diese – Use “diese” when referring to a plural noun in the nominative or accusative case, regardless of gender. For example: “Diese Bücher sind interessant.” (These books are interesting.)
Jener – Use “jener” to express “that” when referring to something more distantly located in space or time. For example: “Jener Mann ist mein Chef.” (That man is my boss.)
Informal Ways to Say “This” and “That”
Now, let’s explore the informal ways of expressing “this” and “that” in German. Informal speech is commonly used among friends, family members, or in casual situations:
Das – “Das” can be used informally to express “this” or “that” for neuter singular nouns. For example: “Das Haus ist groß.” (This/That house is big.)
Der – “Der” is an informal way of saying “this” or “that” for masculine singular nouns. For example: “Der Film war spannend.” (This/That movie was exciting.)
Die – “Die” is an informal equivalent for “this” or “that” when referring to feminine singular nouns. For example, “Die Katze ist niedlich.” (This/That cat is cute.)
Die – For informal use, “die” is also used when referring to plural nouns regardless of gender. For example: “Die Schuhe sind schön.” (These/Those shoes are nice.)
Der/die/das da – You can use “der da,” “die da,” or “das da” to emphasize “that one” or “this one” informally. For example: “Der da ist mein Freund.” (This/That one is my friend.)
Regional Variations
German comprises various regional dialects and variations. While standard German is universally understood, some regions have unique ways of saying “this” and “that.” Let’s explore a few:
Des – In some southern regions, such as Bavaria, “des” is often used instead of “dieses” to express “this” for a masculine noun. For example, “Des Bier schmeckt gut.” (This beer tastes good.)
Der/die/das Do – In certain areas, particularly in southwestern Germany, people may use “der do,” “die do,” or “das do” to mean “that one” or “this one” in informal speech. For example, “Die do ist meine Schwester.” (This/That one is my sister.)
Tips and Examples
Here are some handy tips and additional examples to help you further understand the usage of “this” and “that” in German:
- Remember that German nouns have gender (masculine, feminine, and neuter), which influences the choice of “this” and “that”. The articles (“der,” “die,” “das”) and the adjectives must agree with the gender.
- If you’re unsure about the gender, it’s always better to go with the neutral form “das.”
- Pay attention to the noun cases (nominative, accusative, dative, and genitive) when choosing the appropriate form of “this” and “that” in a sentence.
- Use regional variations sparingly, and if you’re not familiar with a specific region’s dialect, it’s best to stick to the standard forms.
- Practice, practice, practice! The more you practice using “this” and “that” in German, the better you will become at applying the correct forms in various situations.
Let’s see some examples that combine noun genders, cases, and different forms of “this” and “that” in German:
Die Frau dort ist meine Schwester. (That woman there is my sister.)
Dieser Tisch ist sehr teuer. (This table is very expensive.)
Das Buch dahinten ist interessant. (That book over there is interesting.)
Die Blumen in dem Garten sind schön. (The flowers in the garden are beautiful.)
With each practice, you’ll become more comfortable using “this” and “that” in German, expanding your vocabulary and conversational skills!
Mit freundlichen Grüßen,
Your German Language Guide
