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Chapter 28: Demonstrative Pronouns

📘 Introduction​

Demonstrative pronouns (Demonstrativpronomen) are used to point out specific people, things, or ideas. In English, they include this, that, these, those. In German, demonstrative pronouns help emphasize or distinguish something/someone already known or mentioned.

Why are they important?​

  • Used to emphasize, contrast, or specify nouns.
  • Crucial in conversations, descriptions, and comparisons.
  • Often used in both spoken and written German for clarity and style.

🧠 Vocabulary: Core Demonstrative Pronouns​

German PronounEnglish EquivalentNotes
der / die / dasthat / this (he/she/it)Also definite articles but function as demonstratives when emphasized
dieser / diese / diesesthis / theseMore specific and formal
jener / jene / jenesthat / thoseLess common; used in literary contexts
solcher / solche / solchessuchDescribes a type or kind
derselbe / dieselbe / dasselbethe sameIndicates identical reference

🧩 Theory & Grammar​

1. Forms of Demonstrative Pronouns​

A. Der / Die / Das (with stress/emphasis)​

These act as demonstrative pronouns when spoken with emphasis:

  • Der ist mein Bruder. (That one is my brother.)
  • Die ist meine Kollegin. (That woman is my colleague.)

B. Dieser / Diese / Dieses (this/these)​

These decline like the definite article der/die/das but with "-er/-e/-es".

CaseMasculineFeminineNeuterPlural
Nominativedieserdiesediesesdiese
Accusativediesendiesediesesdiese
Dativediesemdieserdiesemdiesen
Genitivediesesdieserdiesesdieser

C. Jener / Jene / Jenes (that/those – more distant)​

Used like dieser, but refers to something farther away in space or time.

D. Solcher / Solche / Solches (such)​

Means "such a" and also follows adjective-like declension:

  • Solche Bücher mag ich. (I like such books.)

E. Derselbe / Dieselbe / Dasselbe (the same)​

Used to indicate exact identity:

  • Wir haben dasselbe Problem. (We have the same problem.)

💡 Usage & Context​

Real-life contexts:​

  • In conversation to contrast people or things:

    • "Dieser ist besser als jener." (This one is better than that one.)

  • In descriptions to avoid repetition:

    • "Ich nehme dieses Buch. Jenes kenne ich schon."

  • In storytelling for clarity:

    • "Der Mann, der dort steht – der ist mein Lehrer."

  • In persuasion:

    • "Solche Leute sollten wir unterstützen."

✍️ Practical Examples​

Sentence Examples​

  1. Der ist mein Onkel. (That one is my uncle.)
  2. Diese Schuhe gefallen mir. (I like these shoes.)
  3. Jene Tage waren schwer. (Those days were difficult.)
  4. Solche Ideen inspirieren mich. (Such ideas inspire me.)
  5. Wir fahren mit demselben Zug. (We’re taking the same train.)

Dialogue Example​

A: Welches Buch nimmst du? B: Ich nehme dieses hier. Jenes habe ich schon gelesen. A: Ich nehme dasselbe! Es sieht spannend aus.

🧪 Exercises​

1. Fill in the blanks:​

  1. ___ Mann dort ist mein Lehrer.
  2. Ich kenne ___ Frau nicht.
  3. ___ Bücher sind interessant.
  4. Ich möchte ___ Auto kaufen.
  5. Wir haben ___ Problem.

Expected answers: Der, diese, solche, dieses, dasselbe

2. Translate into German:​

  1. This is my friend.
  2. That house is big.
  3. I don’t like such music.
  4. These apples are fresh.
  5. We wear the same T-shirts.

Answers:

  1. Das ist mein Freund.
  2. Jenes Haus ist groß.
  3. Ich mag solche Musik nicht.
  4. Diese Äpfel sind frisch.
  5. Wir tragen dieselben T-Shirts.

🎴 Flashcards (Q&A)​

QuestionAnswer
What does "dieser" mean?This (masculine)
How do you say "those books" in German?Jene Bücher
Which pronoun means "such"?Solcher / solche / solches
What is the plural of "dieser"?Diese
How do you say "the same car"?Dasselbe Auto

📄 Workbook Summary​

Key Concepts:​

  • Demonstrative pronouns replace or point to nouns.
  • Forms match case, gender, and number.
  • Common demonstratives include dieser, jener, solcher, derselbe.
  • Emphasized der/die/das can also serve as demonstratives.

Practice Tasks:​

  • Identify demonstrative pronouns in short texts.
  • Replace nouns in sentences with correct demonstratives.
  • Create your own sentences using each type of demonstrative.

📺 Multimedia Resources​

🗣️ Speaking Help​

  • Practice contrasts: "Ich will dieses, nicht jenes."
  • Use demonstratives when pointing or referring to objects during speaking exercises.
  • Practice with a partner: describe what someone is wearing or doing using dieser/diese/das.

Example speaking prompt: "Siehst du den Mann dort? Der ist mein Chef."

🏛️ Cultural Notes (Optional)​

  • In German, gestures often accompany demonstrative pronouns — like pointing when saying der/die/das.
  • Literary texts may use jener for poetic distance.

✅ Review Section​

Quiz​

  1. What is the nominative masculine form of “this”?
  2. Translate: “We live in the same city.”
  3. Which demonstrative is rarely used in casual conversation but common in literature?
  4. What does solche mean?
  5. Replace the noun with a demonstrative: “Ich mag diesen Film.”

Answers:​

  1. Dieser
  2. Wir wohnen in derselben Stadt.
  3. Jener
  4. Such
  5. Ich mag den.