German Demonstratives: Using 'this' (dieser)
dieser as a precise laser pointer that mirrors the endings of definite articles.
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Use 'dieser' to point to specific things, making sure it matches the gender and case of the noun it describes.
- Use 'dieser' for masculine nouns: 'Dieser {Mann|m} ist nett.'
- Use 'diese' for feminine nouns: 'Diese {Frau|f} ist nett.'
- Use 'dieses' for neuter nouns: 'Dieses {Kind|n} ist nett.'
Overview
The German demonstrative dieser (with its forms diese, dieses, diese in plural) functions as a powerful linguistic tool, translating most commonly to “this” or “these” in English. Its primary role extends beyond simple identification; it actively points out and distinguishes a specific noun or noun phrase from a wider context. This emphasis often conveys a sense of proximity, which can be physical (an object nearby), temporal (something recently mentioned), or conceptual (an idea currently in focus).
The underlying linguistic principle at play is deixis, where language directly refers to elements within the immediate context of the utterance. You utilize dieser to direct your listener’s attention with precision, creating a stronger, more focused reference than a simple definite article can achieve. Consider the subtle yet significant difference between Der Stuhl ist bequem (The chair is comfortable) and Dieser Stuhl der ist bequem (This chair is comfortable).
The latter implicitly suggests a selection or a contrast, singling out one particular chair from others.
Dieser belongs to a crucial grammatical category in German known as der-words. These words, which include others like jeder (every), welcher (which), and mancher (some), all share a remarkably consistent declension pattern. They decline almost identically to the definite article (der, die, das) across all cases and genders.
This inherent regularity is a cornerstone of German morphology and greatly simplifies the learning process: if you have mastered the definite article declension, you have largely mastered dieser. This consistency isn't coincidental; der-words effectively function as intensified or more specific versions of the definite article, inheriting its grammatical behavior to indicate definiteness and highlight particular items. Understanding dieser is fundamental for achieving both clarity and a natural flow in German communication, enabling you to articulate specific choices and references with confidence and accuracy.
How This Grammar Works
dieser allows it to operate in two principal capacities within a sentence: as a demonstrative adjective (also known as an attributive demonstrative pronoun) or as a substituting demonstrative pronoun. Each role dictates how dieser interacts with the noun it refers to. Crucially, its form is never static; it must consistently agree with the gender (masculine, feminine, neuter, plural) and the grammatical case (nominative, accusative, dative, genitive) of the noun it modifies or replaces.dieser functions as a demonstrative adjective, it directly precedes and modifies a noun, much like any other adjective or determiner. In this usage, dieser acts as a specific indicator, clarifying which particular noun is being discussed. The ending of dieser will visibly change to match the noun’s gender, number, and case.Dieser Kaffee der schmeckt gut (This coffee tastes good), dieser clearly modifies der Kaffee, both being masculine nominative. Similarly, if you state Ich möchte diesen Pullover der kaufen (I want to buy this sweater), diesen is in the masculine accusative case, agreeing with der Pullover which functions as the direct object. This attributive use helps to narrow down the referent unequivocally, removing any ambiguity.dieser can serve as a substituting demonstrative pronoun, standing entirely on its own and replacing the noun to prevent redundancy. This usage is particularly common when the noun has already been clearly established in the immediate conversational context. Imagine someone asks, Welches Buch das liest du? (Which book are you reading?).Ich lese dieses (I am reading this one). Here, dieses effectively replaces das Buch, taking on its neuter accusative form. The ability of dieser to substitute while retaining its specificity is vital for maintaining a smooth, efficient conversational flow.Formation Pattern
dieser is highly systematic, directly replicating the endings of the German definite articles (der, die, das). This means that once you are proficient in definite article declension, you inherently possess the knowledge to decline dieser correctly. To accurately form dieser, you must consider two interdependent grammatical factors: the gender (masculine, feminine, neuter, or plural) of the noun it refers to, and the grammatical case (nominative, accusative, dative, or genitive) demanded by its syntactic function within the sentence. The specific endings appended to dies- provide crucial grammatical information, signifying the noun's role and relationship to other sentence elements.
dieser, diese, dieses, illustrating its forms across all genders and cases. Observe how the endings perfectly align with those of der, die, das, with only the stem dies- differentiating them.
dieser | diese | dieses | diese |
diesen | diese | dieses | diese |
diesem | dieser | diesem | diesen |
dieses | dieser | dieses | dieser |
Dieser Mann der ist mein Lehrer. (This man is my teacher.)
Wer ist das? – Dieser ist mein Lehrer. (Who is that? – This one is my teacher.)
Diese Frau die arbeitet hier. (This woman works here.)
Ich sehe diesen Mann der. (I see this man.)
Welchen Mann siehst du? – Ich sehe diesen. (Which man do you see? – I see this one.)
Wir kaufen diese Tasche die. (We buy this bag.)
Ich spreche mit diesem Mann der. (I speak with this man.)
Mit wem sprichst du? – Mit diesem. (With whom are you speaking? – With this one.)
Sie hilft dieser Frau die. (She helps this woman.)
dieser as a pronoun.
Der Wert dieses Autos das ist hoch. (The value of this car is high.)
Die Farbe dieser Tasche die gefällt mir. (The color of this bag pleases me.)
dieser acts as an attributive demonstrative and is followed by another adjective modifying the same noun. In such constructions, the subsequent adjective must take the weak declension ending. This is a fundamental principle of German adjective declension: if a preceding determiner (like dieser or the definite article) already clearly carries the
Nominative Case (Subject)
| Gender | Article | Demonstrative |
|---|---|---|
|
Masculine
|
der
|
dieser
|
|
Feminine
|
die
|
diese
|
|
Neuter
|
das
|
dieses
|
|
Plural
|
die
|
diese
|
Accusative Case (Direct Object)
| Gender | Article | Demonstrative |
|---|---|---|
|
Masculine
|
den
|
diesen
|
|
Feminine
|
die
|
diese
|
|
Neuter
|
das
|
dieses
|
|
Plural
|
die
|
diese
|
Meanings
The demonstrative 'dieser' is used to identify a specific person or object close to the speaker or previously mentioned.
Proximity
Pointing to something near the speaker.
“Dieser {Tisch|m} ist neu.”
“Diese {Lampe|f} ist hell.”
Reference
Referring to a noun mentioned earlier.
“Ich habe ein {Auto|n}. Dieses {Auto|n} ist schnell.”
“Sie hat eine {Katze|f}. Diese {Katze|f} schläft viel.”
Reference Table
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Nominative Masc
|
dieser + Noun
|
Dieser {Tisch|m} ist neu.
|
|
Nominative Fem
|
diese + Noun
|
Diese {Lampe|f} ist hell.
|
|
Nominative Neut
|
dieses + Noun
|
Dieses {Haus|n} ist groß.
|
|
Accusative Masc
|
diesen + Noun
|
Ich kaufe diesen {Stuhl|m}.
|
|
Accusative Fem
|
diese + Noun
|
Ich sehe diese {Frau|f}.
|
|
Accusative Neut
|
dieses + Noun
|
Ich brauche dieses {Buch|n}.
|
Formality Spectrum
Dies ist mein {Auto|n}. (Introducing property)
Das ist mein {Auto|n}. (Introducing property)
Das ist mein {Auto|n}. (Introducing property)
Das ist mein {Karren|m}. (Introducing property)
The Dieser Tree
Masculine
- dieser this (nom)
- diesen this (acc)
Feminine
- diese this (nom/acc)
Neuter
- dieses this (nom/acc)
Gender Matching
Examples by Level
Dieser {Mann|m} ist mein Vater.
This man is my father.
Diese {Frau|f} ist nett.
This woman is nice.
Dieses {Kind|n} spielt.
This child is playing.
Diese {Bücher|pl} sind gut.
These books are good.
Ich kaufe diesen {Apfel|m}.
I am buying this apple.
Hast du diese {Tasche|f} gesehen?
Have you seen this bag?
Ich mag dieses {Auto|n}.
I like this car.
Diese {Leute|pl} sind laut.
These people are loud.
Mit diesem {Stift|m} schreibe ich.
I write with this pen.
Ich gebe dieser {Frau|f} das Buch.
I give this woman the book.
Das ist das Haus dieses {Mannes|m}.
That is the house of this man.
Diese {Idee|f} ist besser als jene.
This idea is better than that one.
Diesen {Vorschlag|m} kann ich nicht akzeptieren.
I cannot accept this proposal.
Dieses {Projekt|n} erfordert viel Zeit.
This project requires much time.
Von dieser {Entscheidung|f} hängt alles ab.
Everything depends on this decision.
Diese {Regeln|pl} sind sehr streng.
These rules are very strict.
Diesem {Umstand|m} ist Rechnung zu tragen.
This circumstance must be taken into account.
Diese {Theorie|f} entbehrt jeder Grundlage.
This theory lacks any foundation.
Dieses {Phänomen|n} ist schwer zu erklären.
This phenomenon is hard to explain.
Diese {Argumente|pl} sind nicht stichhaltig.
These arguments are not sound.
Diesem {Ansinnen|n} kann ich nicht entsprechen.
I cannot comply with this request.
Diese {Nuance|f} macht den Unterschied.
This nuance makes the difference.
Diesem {Geist|m} verpflichtet, handeln wir.
Committed to this spirit, we act.
Diese {Wirren|pl} sind historisch bedingt.
These turmoils are historically conditioned.
Easily Confused
Learners use 'dieser' when they just mean 'the'.
Learners use 'jener' for 'this'.
Learners use 'dieser' as a neutral pronoun.
Common Mistakes
dieser {Frau|f}
diese {Frau|f}
diese {Mann|m}
dieser {Mann|m}
dieser {Kind|n}
dieses {Kind|n}
dieses {Frau|f}
diese {Frau|f}
Ich mag dieser {Film|m}
Ich mag diesen {Film|m}
Ich sehe dieser {Auto|n}
Ich sehe dieses {Auto|n}
Ich brauche dieser {Tasche|f}
Ich brauche diese {Tasche|f}
Mit dieser {Mann|m}
Mit diesem {Mann|m}
Ich gebe dieser {Kind|n} das Buch
Ich gebe diesem {Kind|n} das Buch
Das ist das Buch dieser {Kind|n}
Das ist das Buch dieses {Kindes|n}
Diesem {Theorie|f} ist falsch
Diese {Theorie|f} ist falsch
Diese {Phänomen|n} ist wichtig
Dieses {Phänomen|n} ist wichtig
Diesen {Entscheidung|f} ist schwer
Diese {Entscheidung|f} ist schwer
Dieses {Argumente|pl} sind gut
Diese {Argumente|pl} sind gut
Sentence Patterns
___ {Nomen|m/f/n} ist mein Favorit.
Ich kaufe ___ {Nomen|m/f/n}.
Mit ___ {Nomen|m/f/n} arbeite ich.
Das ist das Haus ___ {Nomen|m/f/n}.
Real World Usage
Ich möchte diesen {Schuh|m} anprobieren.
Diese {Person|f} ist mein Vorbild.
Diesen {Punkt|m} möchte ich betonen.
Ist diese {Bahn|f} nach Berlin?
Dieses {Gericht|n} ist sehr lecker.
Hast du diese {Nachricht|f} gesehen?
Check the Article
Accusative Trap
Use Gestures
Keep it Simple
Smart Tips
Remember the 'n' ending: 'den' -> 'diesen'.
Look at the article in your dictionary; it's the key to everything.
Use 'dieser' to refer back to a specific point mentioned earlier.
If you're unsure, 'diese' is often used colloquially for everything, but try to aim for the correct one.
Pronunciation
Emphasis
When using 'dieser' for emphasis, stress the first syllable.
Pointing
DIESER {Mann|m} ↑ ist mein Vater.
Rising intonation on the noun emphasizes the person.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Dies-er, Dies-e, Dies-es: The ending matches the article, it's as easy as ABC!
Visual Association
Imagine a giant finger pointing at objects. The finger grows or shrinks to fit the object's size (gender).
Rhyme
Masculine is -er, Feminine is -e, Neuter is -es, as you can see!
Story
I walk into a shop. I point at a hat (der Hut) and say 'Dieser Hut'. Then I point at a bag (die Tasche) and say 'Diese Tasche'. Finally, I point at a toy (das Spielzeug) and say 'Dieses Spielzeug'. The shopkeeper smiles because I got the endings right.
Word Web
Challenge
Point to 5 objects in your room and say 'Dieser/Diese/Dieses [Object]' out loud.
Cultural Notes
Germans use 'dieser' to be very specific. In casual speech, 'der/die/das' is often used instead.
Austrians often use 'der/die/das' with a pointing gesture instead of 'dieser'.
Swiss German speakers often use 'dä/die/das' as demonstratives.
Derived from Old High German 'dëser', a combination of 'dë' (the) and 'sēr' (this).
Conversation Starters
Welchen {Apfel|m} möchtest du?
Ist diese {Straße|f} richtig?
Wie findest du dieses {Buch|n}?
Welche {Idee|f} ist besser?
Journal Prompts
Common Mistakes
Test Yourself
___ {Tisch|m} ist neu.
Ich kaufe ___ {Apfel|m}.
Find and fix the mistake:
Diese {Mann|m} ist nett.
Dieser {Hund|m} bellt. -> Ich sehe ___ {Hund|m}.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
Mit ___ {Frau|f} spreche ich.
Das ist das Buch ___ {Kindes|n}.
Find and fix the mistake:
Ich gebe dieser {Kind|n} das Buch.
Score: /8
Practice Exercises
8 exercises___ {Tisch|m} ist neu.
Ich kaufe ___ {Apfel|m}.
Find and fix the mistake:
Diese {Mann|m} ist nett.
Dieser {Hund|m} bellt. -> Ich sehe ___ {Hund|m}.
dieses
Mit ___ {Frau|f} spreche ich.
Das ist das Buch ___ {Kindes|n}.
Find and fix the mistake:
Ich gebe dieser {Kind|n} das Buch.
Score: /8
Practice Bank
10 exercisesGefällt dir ____ (n) T-Shirt?
I am traveling with these friends.
ist / Video / Dieses / sehr / lustig .
Match the forms:
In dieser Moment war ich glücklich.
Hast du ____ (m) Post auf Reddit gesehen?
Was hältst du von ____ (f) Idee?
Do you like these shoes?
____ (pl) Memes sind so witzig!
Wir gehen in dieses Restaurant.
Score: /10
FAQ (8)
Use 'dieser' when you want to be specific or point to something. 'Der' is just 'the'.
Yes, it becomes 'diese'.
Yes, it is very common in formal German to avoid ambiguity.
Because of the Accusative case for masculine nouns.
Yes, it works for people just like objects.
Try to learn the noun with its article (e.g., 'der Tisch').
No, 'dieser' is 'this' and 'jener' is 'that'.
Point to objects and say the phrase out loud.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
este/esta
German demonstratives change based on case; Spanish ones do not.
ce/cette/cet
French lacks the complex case declension of German.
kono
Japanese demonstratives are invariant.
hadha/hadhihi
Arabic case system is based on vowel endings, not article-like declension.
zhè
Chinese is an isolating language with no inflection.
this/these
English demonstratives are much simpler than German ones.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
Related Grammar Rules
German Dative Reflexive Pronouns (mir, dir, sich)
Overview German reflexive pronouns specify that the subject of a verb is also its object. While many reflexive verbs use...
Asking About Things: Wo-Compounds (worüber, wovon)
Overview Ever asked a friend what they're laughing at, only to realize your German sentence sounds like a toddler's? You...
German Accusative Pronouns: me, you, him (mich, dich, ihn)
Overview German, like English, distinguishes between who is performing an action (the subject) and who is receiving it (...
German Pronouns: Matching Gender (er, sie, es)
Overview German, like many other languages, classifies every noun into one of three **grammatical genders**: masculine,...
Informal 'Your' (dein)
Overview In German, expressing possession requires careful attention to context, specifically who you are addressing and...
