C2 Pronouns 6 min read 어려움

The Demonstrative 'derjenige' as a Correlative (derjenige, welcher...)

Use derjenige as a high-precision correlative to single out specific nouns before introducing a relative clause.
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Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds

Use 'derjenige' to point to a specific person or thing that is immediately defined by a following relative clause.

  • Derjenige must agree in gender and number with the noun it replaces.
  • It is always followed by a relative clause starting with 'der', 'die', or 'das'.
  • Both parts of the word 'derjenige' (article + jenige) must be declined.
Derjenige (Article + Jenige) + Relative Clause (der/die/das...)

Overview

Welcome to the world of high-precision German. Meet derjenige. It is the heavy hitter of demonstrative pronouns.
Think of it as a laser pointer for your sentences. Regular pronouns like der or er are sometimes too vague. You use derjenige when you need to be absolutely specific.
It usually points forward to a relative clause. This creates a strong link between two parts of a sentence. It is the gold standard for formal writing.
You will see it in legal contracts often. It also shines in academic papers and serious debates. In casual speech, it sounds a bit fancy.
But at C2 level, you must master it. It shows you have total control over German nuance. It is not just about identifying someone.
It is about singling them out from a crowd.

How This Grammar Works

This pronoun acts as a correlative. That sounds complicated but it is actually simple. It works as a pair with a relative pronoun.
Usually, the pair is derjenige, der or derjenige, welcher. The word derjenige sets the stage in the main clause. The relative pronoun starts the explanation in the next clause.
Think of it like a grammar handshake. The first part reaches out. The second part completes the connection.
You cannot usually have derjenige standing all alone. It feels lonely without its relative clause partner. It needs that extra information to make sense.
It tells the listener exactly which person or thing you mean. It creates a very clear mental map for your audience.

Formation Pattern

1
Take the definite article: der, die, or das.
2
Attach the suffix -jenige to the end.
3
Treat the first part like a normal article.
4
Treat the second part like a weak adjective ending.
5
Match the case to the pronoun's role in the main clause.
6
For the masculine nominative, use derjenige.
7
For the feminine nominative, use diejenige.
8
For the neuter nominative, use dasjenige.
9
For the plural nominative, use diejenigen.
10
Watch the Genitive carefully; it becomes desjenigen or derjenigen.
11
Yes, it looks like a long word. But it is just two familiar pieces glued together. If you know your adjective endings, you are already halfway there. Just remember that the article part still changes normally.

When To Use It

Use it for maximum clarity in complex situations. Imagine a job interview with ten candidates. You want to talk about the one who spoke three languages.
Say: Ich wähle denjenigen, der drei Sprachen spricht. It sounds much more professional than just using den. Use it when you want to create a contrast.
Maybe you are comparing two different types of investors. Derjenige, der Risiko liebt vs derjenige, der Sicherheit sucht. It provides a very sturdy structure for the comparison.
Use it in written instructions or legal warnings. Diejenigen, die das Gebäude betreten, müssen Masken tragen. It leaves no room for confusion.
It identifies the specific group immediately. It is also great for philosophical statements. It helps you define categories of people or things clearly.
Think of it as your tool for surgical precision.

When Not To Use It

Do not use it for your morning coffee order. Saying Ich möchte dasjenige Croissant sounds like you are reading a law book. It is way too heavy for casual life.
In a pub with friends, stick to der, die, or das. If the person you mean is already obvious, skip it. Do not use it if you do not have a relative clause.
It is like starting a bridge and not finishing it. If you just say Derjenige gefällt mir, people will wait for more. They will wonder "The one who...
what?". It is also redundant if a simple wer would work. Wer zuerst kommt, mahlt zuerst is a classic proverb.
Changing it to Derjenige, der zuerst kommt... makes it clunky. Keep it for when the situation demands extra gravity. Your friends will thank you for not being a grammar robot.

Common Mistakes

Mixing up the adjective endings is the most common trap. People often forget that -jenige follows weak declension rules. They might say desjeniges instead of desjenigen. Remember, the -n is your best friend in most cases. Another mistake is using it without a following relative clause. It feels grammatically naked without that extra detail. Some people also use the wrong case for the relative pronoun. Remember that derjenige takes the case of the main clause. The relative pronoun takes the case of its own clause. They do not always have to match! For example: Ich helfe demjenigen (Dative), der mich fragt (Nominative). Do not let your brain force them into the same case. That is a classic C1-level slip-up. Finally, do not use welcher as the relative pronoun too often. It is correct, but it can sound very old-fashioned.

Contrast With Similar Patterns

How is it different from a simple der? A simple der is a general pointer. Derjenige is an emphatic, specific pointer.
It is like the difference between pointing a finger and using a spotlight. Compare it to derjenige, welcher versus der, der. The welcher version is the most formal style possible.
You will see it in 19th-century literature or dusty legal codes. Compare it to the pronoun wer. Wer is universal and indefinite.
It means anyone who. Derjenige refers to a specific, albeit perhaps hypothetical, individual. Solcher is another relative of this pronoun.
Solcher refers to a quality or a type. Derjenige refers to the specific identity. Understanding these shades of meaning is what makes you a C2 speaker.
You are choosing the right tool for the job.

Quick FAQ

Q

Is it always one word?

Yes, always write it as one single word.

Q

Can I use it for objects too?

Absolutely, it works for people, objects, and abstract ideas.

Q

Is it mandatory in formal German?

Not mandatory, but highly expected for clarity and style.

Q

Can I pluralize it?

Yes, use diejenigen for the plural nominative form.

Q

Does it sound arrogant?

Only if you use it while buying a loaf of bread.

Declension of 'derjenige'

Case Masculine Feminine Neuter Plural
Nom
derjenige
diejenige
dasjenige
diejenigen
Acc
denjenigen
diejenige
dasjenige
diejenigen
Dat
demjenigen
derjenigen
demjenigen
denjenigen
Gen
desjenigen
derjenigen
desjenigen
derjenigen

Meanings

A demonstrative pronoun used to identify a specific person or object that is further described by a relative clause.

1

Specific Identification

Identifying a unique individual or entity.

“Derjenige, den ich gestern traf, war sehr nett.”

“Diejenige, die den Preis gewann, ist meine Schwester.”

Reference Table

Reference table for The Demonstrative 'derjenige' as a Correlative (derjenige, welcher...)
Form Structure Example
Nom
derjenige + rel. clause
Derjenige, der lernt, gewinnt.
Acc
denjenigen + rel. clause
Ich sehe denjenigen, den du meinst.
Dat
demjenigen + rel. clause
Ich helfe demjenigen, der Hilfe braucht.
Gen
desjenigen + rel. clause
Das ist das Auto desjenigen, der hier arbeitet.
Plural
diejenigen + rel. clause
Diejenigen, die kommen, sind willkommen.

격식 수준 스펙트럼

격식체
Derjenige, der die Verantwortung trägt, ist zu benachrichtigen.

Derjenige, der die Verantwortung trägt, ist zu benachrichtigen. (Workplace responsibility)

중립
Die Person, die verantwortlich ist, muss informiert werden.

Die Person, die verantwortlich ist, muss informiert werden. (Workplace responsibility)

비격식체
Wer verantwortlich ist, muss Bescheid wissen.

Wer verantwortlich ist, muss Bescheid wissen. (Workplace responsibility)

속어
Der Typ, der das verbockt hat, muss ran.

Der Typ, der das verbockt hat, muss ran. (Workplace responsibility)

Derjenige Structure

Derjenige

Function

  • Specific Points to one
  • Anchor Needs relative clause
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수준별 예문

1

Derjenige ist mein Freund.

That one is my friend.

2

Diejenige ist neu.

That one (female) is new.

1

Ich kenne denjenigen, der das sagt.

I know the one who says that.

2

Das ist diejenige, die ich suche.

That is the one I am looking for.

1

Derjenige, der zuerst kommt, bekommt den Platz.

The one who comes first gets the seat.

2

Wir suchen diejenigen, die uns helfen können.

We are looking for those who can help us.

1

Derjenige, dessen Auto dort steht, muss umparken.

The one whose car is parked there must move it.

2

Ich habe mit derjenigen gesprochen, die das Projekt leitet.

I spoke with the one who leads the project.

1

Demjenigen, der den Fehler begangen hat, wurde gekündigt.

The one who committed the error was fired.

2

Diejenigen, die sich nicht anmelden, werden ausgeschlossen.

Those who do not register will be excluded.

1

Es obliegt demjenigen, der die Verantwortung trägt, die Entscheidung zu treffen.

It is incumbent upon the one who bears the responsibility to make the decision.

2

Man sollte denjenigen, die sich engagieren, Anerkennung zollen.

One should pay tribute to those who are committed.

혼동하기 쉬운

The Demonstrative 'derjenige' as a Correlative (derjenige, welcher...) 대 Wer vs. Derjenige

Both can mean 'who', but 'wer' is indefinite.

The Demonstrative 'derjenige' as a Correlative (derjenige, welcher...) 대 Derselbe vs. Derjenige

Both start with 'der', but 'derselbe' means 'the same'.

The Demonstrative 'derjenige' as a Correlative (derjenige, welcher...) 대 Der vs. Derjenige

Simple 'der' can act as a demonstrative pronoun.

자주 하는 실수

✗

Ich sehe derjenige.

✓

Ich sehe denjenigen.

Accusative case needed.
✗

Derjenige der kommt.

✓

Derjenige, der kommt.

Missing comma.
✗

Das ist derjenige Mann.

✓

Das ist derjenige, der...

Derjenige is a pronoun, not an adjective.
✗

Ich helfe derjenige.

✓

Ich helfe derjenigen.

Dative case needed.
✗

Diejenige die lacht.

✓

Diejenige, die lacht.

Comma missing.
✗

Derjenige, den ich mag ist nett.

✓

Derjenige, den ich mag, ist nett.

Comma closing the relative clause.
✗

Das ist desjenige Auto.

✓

Das ist das Auto desjenigen.

Genitive structure error.
✗

Ich spreche mit derjenige.

✓

Ich spreche mit derjenigen.

Dative feminine.
✗

Diejenige, welche ich sah.

✓

Diejenige, die ich sah.

Welche is possible but less common than die.
✗

Denjenigen, die kommen, gebe ich Geld.

✓

Denjenigen, die kommen, gebe ich Geld.

Correct, but ensure plural agreement.
✗

Derjenige, welcher...

✓

Derjenige, der...

Stylistic preference.
✗

Jeder der...

✓

Derjenige, der...

Jeder is general, derjenige is specific.

문장 패턴

Derjenige, der ___, ist mein Freund.

Ich suche denjenigen, der ___.

___, die das Projekt leitet, ist sehr kompetent.

Real World Usage

Job Interview common

Derjenige, der diese Stelle bekommt, muss flexibel sein.

Social Media occasional

An denjenigen, der mein Foto geklaut hat: Lösch es!

Academic Lecture very common

Derjenige, der die Relativitätstheorie begründete, war Einstein.

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💡

Check the Case

Always look at the verb in the relative clause to determine if you need nominative, accusative, or dative for 'derjenige'.
⚠️

Don't skip the comma

The comma is mandatory between 'derjenige' and the relative clause.
🎯

Use for emphasis

If you want to highlight someone in a crowd, use 'derjenige' instead of 'wer'.

Smart Tips

Use 'derjenige' to avoid repeating the person's name.

Herr Müller hat das gemacht. Herr Müller ist verantwortlich. → Derjenige, der das gemacht hat, ist verantwortlich.

Use 'derjenige' instead of 'wer' to point to a specific person.

Wer das Fenster offen ließ, muss es schließen. → Derjenige, der das Fenster offen ließ, muss es schließen.

Identify the verb in the relative clause first.

Ich helfe derjenige, der... → Ich helfe derjenigen, die...

발음

der-YE-ni-ge

Stress

Stress the first syllable of 'derjenige'.

Declarative

Derjenige, der das sagt, ↘ hat recht.

Assertive statement

암기하기

기억법

Der-jenige: The 'Der' is the pointer, the 'jenige' is the follower.

시각적 연상

Imagine a spotlight (Der) hitting a specific person in a crowd, and that person is holding a sign (jenige) that explains who they are.

Rhyme

Derjenige, der das sagt, hat den Nagel auf den Kopf gejagt.

Story

In a grand hall, the King points to 'derjenige'. He is the only one who knows the secret code. Because he is special, he always brings his shadow, the relative clause, with him.

Word Web

derjenigediejenigedasjenigedenjenigendemjenigendesjenigen

챌린지

Write 3 sentences today using 'derjenige' to describe people you see in a public place.

문화 노트

Used frequently in university lectures to refer to specific students or authors.

Essential in contracts to define parties.

Derived from the Middle High German 'der jene', meaning 'that one'.

대화 시작하기

“

Wer ist derjenige, den du am meisten bewunderst?

“

Was macht derjenige, der den ersten Preis gewinnt?

“

Wie nennt man denjenigen, der immer zu spät kommt?

일기 주제

Describe a person who changed your life using 'derjenige'.
Write a formal complaint about a service, identifying the person responsible.
Imagine you are a judge. Describe the person who committed a crime.

자주 하는 실수

Incorrect

정답

Incorrect

정답

Incorrect

정답

Incorrect

정답

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Test Yourself

Fill in the correct form.

Ich suche _____, der mir helfen kann.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: denjenigen
Accusative object of 'suche'.
Choose the correct sentence. 객관식

Which is correct?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Derjenige, der lernt, gewinnt.
Commas are required.
Reorder the words. Sentence Reorder

Arrange the words in the correct order:

All words placed

Click words above to build the sentence

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Derjenige, der hier steht, ist mein Bruder.
Correct syntax.
Translate to German. 번역

The one who is late must pay.

Answer starts with: Der...

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Derjenige, der zu spät kommt, muss zahlen.
Idiomatic German.

Score: /4

연습 문제

4 exercises
Fill in the correct form.

Ich suche _____, der mir helfen kann.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: denjenigen
Accusative object of 'suche'.
Choose the correct sentence. 객관식

Which is correct?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Derjenige, der lernt, gewinnt.
Commas are required.
Reorder the words. Sentence Reorder

derjenige / der / ist / mein / Bruder / , / , / der / hier / steht

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Derjenige, der hier steht, ist mein Bruder.
Correct syntax.
Translate to German. 번역

The one who is late must pay.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Derjenige, der zu spät kommt, muss zahlen.
Idiomatic German.

Score: /4

자주 묻는 질문 (6)

No, it is a correlative pronoun and requires a relative clause to define it.

No, it can refer to things, though it is more common for people.

Look at the verb in the relative clause. If it takes an accusative object, use 'denjenigen'.

Yes, it is excellent for formal business emails.

It is a compound of the definite article and the demonstrative 'jenig'.

Yes, but 'der' is much more common.

Scaffolded Practice

1

1

2

2

3

3

4

4

Mastery Progress

Needs Practice

Improving

Strong

Mastered

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In Other Languages

Spanish high

aquel que

Spanish does not decline the pronoun for case.

French high

celui qui

French uses 'celui' which is gendered but not case-marked like German.

German self

derjenige

The complexity of case declension is unique to German.

Japanese low

〜の人 (no hito)

Japanese lacks the demonstrative pronoun structure entirely.

Arabic partial

الذي (alladhi)

Arabic does not have a two-part demonstrative pronoun like 'derjenige'.

Learning Path

Prerequisites

Previous
Pleonastic 'nicht' in Subordinate Clauses (After 'verhindern' or 'bevor')
Next
Adjectival Suffixes for Subtle Nuance (-ig vs. -lich vs. -isch)

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