This page in your language

فارسی

العربية

Deutsch

Español

Français

日本語

한국어

Português

中文

हिन्दी

Home
Learn
German
Vocabulary
dies/e/er

A2 determiner #400 most common 10 min read

dies/e/er

Top 400

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips dies/e/er in 30 Seconds

Explanation dies/e/er in your Level:

At the A1 level, you learn 'dieser' as a way to point at things. You primarily use it in the nominative case (the subject) to identify objects around you. For example, 'Dieser Apfel ist rot' (This apple is red). You learn that the word changes slightly based on whether the noun is a 'der', 'die', or 'das' word. At this stage, you don't need to worry about all sixteen forms, but you should recognize that 'dieser' is for masculine, 'diese' for feminine and plural, and 'dieses' for neuter. It's your basic 'pointing word' that helps you navigate a grocery store or describe your immediate environment. You might also use 'dies' on its own to say 'this is...', like 'Dies ist meine Mutter'. The focus is on physical proximity—things you can see and touch right now. You will practice using it with common nouns like 'Tisch' (table), 'Tasche' (bag), and 'Auto' (car). Mastering this helps you move beyond just saying 'the' and allows you to be more specific in your communication.

At the A2 level, you start using 'dieser' in more cases, specifically the accusative and dative. You learn that when you do something to a masculine object, 'dieser' becomes 'diesen'. For example, 'Ich nehme diesen Kuchen' (I'll take this cake). You also learn the dative forms for giving or locations, like 'Ich wohne in diesem Haus' (I live in this house). This level is about expanding your ability to describe your daily life and preferences. You use 'dieser' to talk about time, such as 'diese Woche' (this week) or 'dieses Jahr' (this year). You also begin to see how 'dieser' works with adjectives, following the weak declension rules. For instance, 'diese schöne Blume' (this beautiful flower). You are expected to choose the correct ending more consistently, although mistakes with gender are still common. You also learn to use 'dieser' as a pronoun to avoid repetition, like answering 'Welchen Rock möchten Sie?' with 'Diesen hier'.

At the B1 level, you use 'dieser' to connect ideas in longer texts and conversations. It becomes a tool for 'cohesion'—referring back to something you just mentioned. For example, 'Viele Menschen rauchen. Diese Gewohnheit ist ungesund.' (Many people smoke. This habit is unhealthy). You are expected to handle the genitive case occasionally, especially in written German, such as 'trotz dieses Regens' (despite this rain). You also start to use 'dieser' in more abstract contexts, referring to situations, problems, or theories rather than just physical objects. You learn the difference between 'dieser' and 'jener' (that one), even if 'jener' is mostly used in writing. Your understanding of adjective endings after 'dieser' should be solid by now. You also encounter 'dieser' in common idiomatic expressions and fixed phrases used in professional or social settings. You can now use 'dieser' to express nuances of emphasis, choosing it over the simple article 'der' when you want to be particularly clear or formal.

At the B2 level, you use 'dieser' with precision in formal writing and complex discussions. You understand how it functions in 'nominal brackets' and how it interacts with other determiners. You use it to structure arguments, such as 'Dieser Punkt führt uns zum nächsten Thema' (This point leads us to the next topic). You are comfortable with all case endings, including the genitive plural ('die Meinung dieser Experten'). You also recognize stylistic uses of 'dieser' to create emotional distance or closeness. In academic or professional reports, you use 'dieser' to refer to data, charts, or specific clauses in a contract. You also learn more emphatic forms like 'ebendieser' (this very same). Your vocabulary includes synonyms like 'besagter' or 'letzterer' (the latter), and you know when 'dieser' is the better choice for clarity. You can follow complex instructions where 'dieser' is used to distinguish between multiple similar items or steps in a process.

At the C1 level, your use of 'dieser' is sophisticated and stylistically varied. You use it to manage complex discourse markers and to maintain clarity in dense academic or literary texts. You understand the subtle difference in tone between using 'dieser' and using a demonstrative pronoun like 'derjenige'. You can use 'dieser' to refer to entire preceding clauses or complex ideas ('Dies bedeutete, dass...'). You are sensitive to the rhythm of the sentence and may choose 'dieser' or the simple article based on the desired emphasis or flow. You also recognize archaic or highly formal uses of 'dieser' in legal or historical documents. You can analyze how 'dieser' is used in literature to ground the perspective of a narrator or to highlight specific motifs. Your command of the genitive forms is flawless, and you use them naturally in high-level written German. You also understand regional nuances and how 'dieser' might be replaced by other structures in various German-speaking areas.

At the C2 level, you have a near-native command of 'dieser' in all its functional and stylistic dimensions. You can use it to craft elegant, persuasive prose where every determiner is chosen for maximum impact. You understand its role in the history of the German language and how its usage has evolved. You can interpret the use of 'dieser' in philosophical texts where it might be used to define 'this-ness' (Diesheit) or other ontological concepts. You are capable of using 'dieser' in highly specialized fields like law, where the distinction between 'dieser' and 'jener' can have significant legal consequences. You can also play with the word in creative writing, using it to create specific atmospheres or to manipulate the reader's focus. Your understanding of the word is not just grammatical but also rhetorical; you know exactly how to use 'dieser' to lead a listener's attention or to underscore a critical point in a high-stakes debate. You are also aware of how 'dieser' interacts with the most obscure parts of German grammar and syntax.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

dies/e/er in 30 Seconds

German equivalent of 'this' or 'these'.
Changes endings based on gender, case, and number.
Used for physical, temporal, or textual proximity.
More specific and formal than the simple article 'der/die/das'.

The German word dieser (and its various inflected forms like diese and dieses) is a demonstrative determiner that functions similarly to the English word 'this' or 'these'. Its primary purpose is to single out a specific person, object, or concept that is physically or metaphorically close to the speaker. Unlike the simple definite article 'der/die/das', dieser carries a stronger emphasis on specificity. It tells the listener, 'I am talking about this one right here, not that one over there or some general version of it.'

Physical Proximity: When you are holding an object or pointing to something within reach, you use dieser. For example, if you are at a market and pointing at a specific apple, you would say 'dieser Apfel'.
Temporal Proximity: It is used to refer to the current time period, such as 'diese Woche' (this week) or 'dieses Jahr' (this year), distinguishing it from the past or future.
Textual Reference: In writing, dieser is frequently used to refer back to a noun or an idea that was just mentioned in the previous sentence, acting as a cohesive link in the discourse.

Ich möchte diesen Kuchen kaufen, nicht jenen dort drüben.

In everyday conversation, Germans often substitute dieser with the simple definite article (der, die, das) when the context is clear. However, using dieser adds a layer of precision and formality. It is essential in academic writing, legal documents, and formal presentations where ambiguity must be avoided. The word must agree in gender, number, and case with the noun it precedes, making it a 'der-word' in grammatical terms.

In diesem Moment wusste ich, dass alles gut wird.

The word is also used to contrast things. When you have two options, dieser refers to the closer one, while jener (that one) refers to the further one. While jener is becoming rare in spoken German, dieser remains a cornerstone of the language. It is the foundation for many other demonstrative structures and is one of the first determiners a student must master to move beyond basic A1 German.

Haben Sie diese Dokumente schon unterschrieben?

Emotional Distance: Sometimes, dieser can be used to express a certain emotional closeness or, conversely, a distancing 'this' when discussing a problematic topic.

Wer ist dieser Mann, der uns ständig beobachtet?

Wir haben dieses Problem bereits ausführlich besprochen.

Using dieser correctly requires a solid understanding of German noun cases and genders. Because dieser is a determiner, it must change its ending to match the noun it modifies. This is often the biggest hurdle for English speakers, as English only has 'this' and 'these'. In German, you have sixteen possible combinations of case and gender, though many share the same endings.

Nominative Case: Used for the subject. Masculine: dieser (dieser Tisch), Feminine: diese (diese Frau), Neuter: dieses (dieses Kind), Plural: diese (diese Leute).
Accusative Case: Used for the direct object. Only the masculine changes: diesen (Ich sehe diesen Tisch). The others remain the same as nominative.
Dative Case: Used for indirect objects or after certain prepositions. Masculine/Neuter: diesem, Feminine: dieser, Plural: diesen.

Ich helfe dieser Frau beim Tragen der Taschen.

One common pattern is the use of dieser in the Genitive case, which indicates possession or relation. Masculine/Neuter: dieses (plus -s on the noun), Feminine/Plural: dieser. For example: 'Die Farbe dieses Autos ist rot' (The color of this car is red). This is much more common in written German than in spoken German, where people might use 'von' plus the dative instead.

Wegen dieses Fehlers mussten wir von vorne anfangen.

When dieser is used without a noun, it acts as a demonstrative pronoun. For instance, if someone asks 'Welchen Wein möchten Sie?' (Which wine would you like?), you can simply point and say 'Diesen' (This one). In this case, it still takes the ending of the noun it is replacing (Wein is masculine, and it is the direct object, so it is accusative masculine).

Von all den Büchern ist dieses mein liebstes.

Adjective Endings: When an adjective follows dieser, it takes the 'weak' ending (usually -e or -en), because dieser has already clearly signaled the case and gender. Example: 'dieser alte Mann' (this old man).

Wir haben diese neuen Regeln noch nicht gelernt.

Mit diesem Schlüssel kannst du alle Türen öffnen.

In the real world, the frequency of dieser depends heavily on the setting. In casual, spoken German, you might hear people use the definite articles (der, die, das) with a strong emphasis instead of dieser. For example, instead of 'dieser Film', someone might say 'DER Film' (with a stressed 'der'). However, dieser is still very common in specific everyday contexts.

In Stores and Restaurants: When you are choosing between items, dieser is the go-to word. 'Ich nehme diese Tomaten' or 'Was kostet dieses Kleid?'. It provides the necessary clarity when multiple items are present.
In Professional Meetings: When discussing specific points on a slide or in a report, professionals will say 'Dieser Punkt ist besonders wichtig' (This point is particularly important) or 'In diesem Quartal' (In this quarter).
In Public Announcements: At train stations or airports, you will hear: 'Dieser Zug endet hier' (This train ends here) or 'Bitte beachten Sie diesen Hinweis' (Please note this notice).

An dieser Haltestelle müssen Sie umsteigen.

News broadcasts and newspapers are saturated with dieser. Journalists use it to refer back to people or events mentioned in previous paragraphs to avoid repeating long names or titles. For instance, after introducing a politician, the next sentence might start with 'Dieser betonte, dass...' (This [person] emphasized that...). This is a hallmark of sophisticated German prose.

Wir haben dieses Thema bereits in der letzten Sitzung behandelt.

In literature, dieser is used to ground the reader in the scene. Authors use it to describe the immediate surroundings of the character—'dieser dunkle Wald' (this dark forest) or 'diese seltsame Stille' (this strange silence). It creates a sense of immediacy and intimacy between the reader and the narrative world.

Kennen Sie diesen Song von Rammstein?

Legal and Official Use: In contracts, you will see phrases like 'dieser Vertrag' (this contract) or 'diese Vereinbarung' (this agreement) constantly to ensure there is no doubt about which document is being referenced.

Unter diesen Umständen können wir nicht weiterarbeiten.

The most frequent mistake English speakers make is using the uninflected form dies or dieser for everything. Because English has one word ('this'), it is tempting to forget that German requires agreement. Using 'dieser Frau' when she is the subject is correct, but saying 'Ich sehe dieser Frau' is incorrect because 'Frau' is the direct object (accusative) and feminine, so it should be 'diese Frau'.

The 'Dies' Trap: Beginners often use 'dies' as a universal word for 'this'. While 'dies' is a valid short form of 'dieses' in some contexts (like 'Dies ist mein Haus'), it cannot be used as a determiner before a noun without an ending. You cannot say 'dies Mann'; it must be 'dieser Mann'.
Masculine Accusative Confusion: Many learners forget to change the masculine ending to -en in the accusative. 'Ich mag dieser Hund' is wrong; it must be 'Ich mag diesen Hund'.
Dative Plural Endings: In the dative plural, 'dieser' becomes 'diesen', and the noun usually gets an extra -n. 'Mit diesen Kindern' (With these children) is correct, not 'Mit diese Kinder'.

Falsch: Ich wohne in dieser Haus. Richtig: Ich wohne in diesem Haus.

Another common error is confusing dieser with das. While both can mean 'this' (e.g., 'Das ist gut' vs. 'Dies ist gut'), dieser is more specific. Using dieser when a simple das would suffice can sometimes make your German sound overly stiff or robotic. Conversely, using das when you need to distinguish between two specific objects can lead to confusion.

Falsch: Diesen Buch ist toll. Richtig: Dieses Buch ist toll.

Learners also struggle with the genitive case of dieser. Because 'dieser' is the feminine/plural dative form, seeing it used as a genitive feminine/plural or a masculine/neuter nominative can be dizzying. For example, 'Die Meinung dieser Leute' (The opinion of these people) uses 'dieser' as a genitive plural. This requires careful attention to the surrounding sentence structure.

Falsch: Wir sprechen über dieses Problem (Dativ). Richtig: Wir sprechen über dieses Problem (Akkusativ) / diesem Problem (Dativ - depending on preposition).

Overusing 'Dieser': Don't use 'dieser' every time you want to say 'the'. Use it only when you want to emphasize 'this specific one'. Overuse makes your speech sound unnatural.

Falsch: Ich habe dieser Mann gestern gesehen. Richtig: Ich habe diesen Mann gestern gesehen.

While dieser is the most common way to say 'this', German offers several alternatives depending on the level of formality and the specific nuance you want to convey. Understanding these can help you sound more like a native speaker and better understand complex texts.

Jener (That one): The formal counterpart to dieser. It refers to something further away. While 'this and that' is 'dieses und jenes', in modern speech, people usually just say 'das da' or 'das dort' instead of jener.
Derjenige (The one who/which): A more complex demonstrative used to introduce a relative clause. 'Derjenige, der das getan hat...' (The one who did that...). It is much more specific than just saying 'der'.
Solcher (Such a): Used to refer to a type or quality. 'Ein solcher Tag' (Such a day). It is often used in the plural: 'solche Dinge' (such things).

Möchten Sie dieses Buch oder jenes? (Formal/Literary)

In many cases, the definite article der, die, das is the best alternative. If you point at a chair and say 'Der Stuhl ist kaputt', it is perfectly clear and sounds very natural. Using dieser Stuhl adds a tiny bit more 'pointing' energy. Another alternative is the word selbe or gleiche (the same). While dieser identifies a specific object, derselbe identifies it as being identical to one previously mentioned.

Ich habe solche Angst vor Spinnen.

In bureaucratic German, you might encounter besagter (the aforementioned) or vorgenannter (the previously named). These are very formal and function similarly to dieser by referring back to something already established in the text. For example, 'Besagte Person wurde am Tatort gesehen' (The aforementioned person was seen at the crime scene).

Es ist immer derselbe Trott jeden Morgen.

Ebendieser (This very same): A more emphatic version of dieser. It means 'this exact one' or 'this very same'. It is used when you want to leave absolutely no room for doubt.

An ebendiesem Tag änderte sich alles.

How Formal Is It?

Formal

"Dieser Bericht erläutert die aktuelle Lage."

Neutral

"Ich nehme diesen Apfel."

Informal

"Guck mal, dieser Typ da!"

Child friendly

"Schau mal, dieses kleine Kätzchen!"

Slang

"Dieser Moment, wenn..."

Fun Fact

The 's' in 'dieser' is actually an old emphatic particle that was fused onto the article 'der' over a thousand years ago to make it 'point' harder.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /ˈdiːzɐ/

US /ˈdiːzər/

The stress is on the first syllable: DIE-ser.

Rhymes With

miser Heiser leiser Greiser Waiser Kaiser Reiser Speiser

Common Errors

Pronouncing the 's' as an unvoiced 's' (like 'hiss') instead of a voiced 'z' (like 'busy').
Making the 'ie' too short (like 'it' instead of 'eat').
Over-pronouncing the final 'r' like an English 'r' instead of the German vocalized 'a'.
Swallowing the ending entirely, making it sound like just 'dies'.
Confusing the pronunciation of 'dieser' (masculine) with 'dieser' (feminine dative/genitive) - they sound the same but context is key.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

Easy to recognize in text as it looks like 'this'.

Writing 4/5

Difficult to get the endings right consistently across all cases.

Speaking 4/5

Hard to choose the right ending in real-time conversation.

Listening 3/5

Endings can be subtle and hard to hear in fast speech.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

der die das ein eine

Learn Next

jener solcher welcher jeder

Advanced

derjenige derselbe ebendieser

Grammar to Know

Der-word declension

dieser, diesen, diesem, dieses

Weak adjective endings after 'dieser'

dieser gute Wein

Demonstrative pronouns

Welchen willst du? Diesen.

Genitive case with 'dieser'

wegen dieses Fehlers

Dative plural 'n'

mit diesen Kindern

Examples by Level

Dieser Apfel ist sehr süß.

This apple is very sweet.

Masculine Nominative: 'dieser' matches 'der Apfel'.

Diese Tasche gehört mir.

This bag belongs to me.

Feminine Nominative: 'diese' matches 'die Tasche'.

Dieses Buch ist interessant.

This book is interesting.

Neuter Nominative: 'dieses' matches 'das Buch'.

Diese Kinder spielen im Park.

These children are playing in the park.

Plural Nominative: 'diese' is used for all plural nouns.

Ist dieser Platz noch frei?

Is this seat still free?

Masculine Nominative: 'Platz' is masculine.

Ich mag diese Farbe.

I like this color.

Feminine Accusative: 'diese' remains the same as nominative.

Dieses Kind ist mein Sohn.

This child is my son.

Neuter Nominative: 'Kind' is neuter.

Was kostet dieser Tisch?

How much does this table cost?

Masculine Nominative: 'Tisch' is masculine.

Ich kaufe diesen Mantel.

I am buying this coat.

Masculine Accusative: 'dieser' becomes 'diesen' for direct objects.

Wir besuchen diese Stadt oft.

We visit this city often.

Feminine Accusative: 'diese' stays 'diese'.

In diesem Restaurant essen wir gern.

We like eating in this restaurant.

Neuter Dative: 'in' + dative (location). 'dieses' becomes 'diesem'.

Mit dieser Hilfe schaffe ich es.

With this help, I will make it.

Feminine Dative: 'mit' always takes dative. 'diese' becomes 'dieser'.

Ich habe diese Woche keine Zeit.

I have no time this week.

Feminine Accusative: 'diese Woche' is a time expression.

Kennen Sie diesen Mann dort?

Do you know this man there?

Masculine Accusative: 'diesen' is the direct object.

Dieses neue Auto ist sehr schnell.

This new car is very fast.

Weak Adjective Ending: 'neue' ends in -e after 'dieses'.

Ich helfe diesen Leuten.

I am helping these people.

Plural Dative: 'helfen' takes dative. 'diese' becomes 'diesen'.

Trotz dieses Problems sind wir glücklich.

Despite this problem, we are happy.

Neuter Genitive: 'trotz' takes genitive. 'dieses' + -s on 'Problem'.

Dieser Film hat mich tief bewegt.

This movie moved me deeply.

Masculine Nominative: 'Film' is the subject.

Wir müssen über diese Situation sprechen.

We need to talk about this situation.

Feminine Accusative: 'über' (about) takes accusative here.

An diesem Tag hat es nur geregnet.

On this day, it only rained.

Masculine Dative: 'an' (on a day) takes dative. 'diesem'.

Diese Entscheidung war nicht einfach.

This decision was not easy.

Feminine Nominative: 'Entscheidung' is feminine.

Ich erinnere mich an diesen Sommer.

I remember this summer.

Masculine Accusative: 'erinnern an' takes accusative.

Dank dieser Unterstützung haben wir gewonnen.

Thanks to this support, we won.

Feminine Genitive: 'dank' can take genitive. 'dieser'.

Diese Argumente sind sehr überzeugend.

These arguments are very convincing.

Plural Nominative: 'Argumente' is plural.

Dieser Umstand erschwert die Verhandlungen.

This circumstance complicates the negotiations.

Masculine Nominative: 'Umstand' is the subject.

Wir beziehen uns auf diese Studie.

We are referring to this study.

Feminine Accusative: 'beziehen auf' takes accusative.

In diesem Zusammenhang möchte ich etwas sagen.

In this context, I would like to say something.

Masculine Dative: 'Zusammenhang' is masculine.

Die Folgen dieser Krise sind noch spürbar.

The consequences of this crisis are still felt.

Feminine Genitive: 'Folgen' of 'dieser Krise'.

Dieser Ansatz ist völlig neu in der Forschung.

This approach is completely new in research.

Masculine Nominative: 'Ansatz' means approach.

Ich habe diesen Vorschlag bereits abgelehnt.

I have already rejected this proposal.

Masculine Accusative: 'Vorschlag' is the direct object.

Unter diesen Bedingungen unterschreibe ich nicht.

Under these conditions, I will not sign.

Plural Dative: 'unter' (under) takes dative. 'diesen'.

Dieses Verhalten ist absolut inakzeptabel.

This behavior is absolutely unacceptable.

Neuter Nominative: 'Verhalten' is neuter.

Dieser Essay analysiert die Ursachen des Krieges.

This essay analyzes the causes of the war.

Masculine Nominative: 'Essay' is masculine.

Die Interpretation dieser Daten ist umstritten.

The interpretation of this data is controversial.

Plural Genitive: 'Daten' is plural; 'dieser' is genitive.

Dieser Umstand darf nicht unterschätzt werden.

This circumstance must not be underestimated.

Passive Voice: 'darf nicht ... werden'.

In diesem Werk thematisiert der Autor den Tod.

In this work, the author addresses the theme of death.

Neuter Dative: 'Werk' is neuter.

Diese Erkenntnis veränderte mein Weltbild.

This realization changed my worldview.

Feminine Nominative: 'Erkenntnis' is feminine.

Wir müssen diesen Aspekt genauer beleuchten.

We need to shed more light on this aspect.

Masculine Accusative: 'Aspekt' is the object.

Dieser Vorfall löste eine landesweite Debatte aus.

This incident triggered a nationwide debate.

Masculine Nominative: 'Vorfall' is the subject.

Aufgrund dieser Tatsachen müssen wir handeln.

Due to these facts, we must act.

Plural Genitive: 'aufgrund' takes genitive. 'dieser'.

Dieser philosophische Diskurs ist hochkomplex.

This philosophical discourse is highly complex.

Masculine Nominative: 'Diskurs' is masculine.

Die Tragweite dieser Entscheidung ist immens.

The scope of this decision is immense.

Feminine Genitive: 'Tragweite' of 'dieser Entscheidung'.

Dieser Text zeugt von großer Gelehrsamkeit.

This text bears witness to great erudition.

Masculine Nominative: 'zeugen von' + dative.

In diesem Kontext erscheint die Tat in einem anderen Licht.

In this context, the act appears in a different light.

Masculine Dative: 'Kontext' is masculine.

Diese Nuance macht den entscheidenden Unterschied.

This nuance makes the decisive difference.

Feminine Nominative: 'Nuance' is feminine.

Dieser Umstand ist für die Beurteilung maßgeblich.

This circumstance is decisive for the assessment.

Masculine Nominative: 'maßgeblich' means decisive.

Wir sollten diesen Gedanken weiterverfolgen.

We should pursue this thought further.

Masculine Accusative: 'Gedanken' is the object.

Diese Abhandlung ist ein Meilenstein der Linguistik.

This treatise is a milestone in linguistics.

Feminine Nominative: 'Abhandlung' is feminine.

Common Collocations

diese Woche

dieses Jahr

in diesem Moment

dieser Tage

an dieser Stelle

unter diesen Umständen

aus diesem Grund

in diesem Fall

dieser Aspekt

dieses Mal

Common Phrases

dies und das

— This and that; various small things.

Wir haben über dies und das gesprochen.

dieser oder jener

— This one or that one; some person or another.

Dieser oder jener wird es schon wissen.

in diesem Sinne

— In this sense; with this in mind.

In diesem Sinne: Frohe Weihnachten!

diesbezüglich

— Regarding this; in this regard.

Ich habe diesbezüglich noch Fragen.

dieserhalb

— For this reason (archaic/formal).

Dieserhalb wurde die Sitzung vertagt.

bis dato

— Until this date/time.

Bis dato haben wir keine Antwort erhalten.

zu diesem Zweck

— For this purpose.

Zu diesem Zweck brauchen wir mehr Geld.

auf diese Weise

— In this way; like this.

Auf diese Weise sparen wir Zeit.

von diesem Standpunkt aus

— From this point of view.

Von diesem Standpunkt aus hast du recht.

mit diesen Worten

— With these words.

Mit diesen Worten verließ er den Raum.

Often Confused With

dies/e/er vs das

English speakers use 'that' and 'this' interchangeably, but German 'das' is often more general than 'dieses'.

dies/e/er vs jener

Learners often think 'jener' is used as much as 'that', but it's actually quite rare in speech.

dies/e/er vs welcher

Both end in -er, but 'welcher' is for questions (which) and 'dieser' is for answers (this).

Idioms & Expressions

"Dies ist der Weisheit letzter Schluss"

— This is the final word/ultimate wisdom on the matter.

Glaubst du wirklich, dies ist der Weisheit letzter Schluss?

literary

"In diesem Boot sitzen wir alle"

— We are all in the same boat.

Wir müssen zusammenarbeiten, in diesem Boot sitzen wir alle.

neutral

"Auf dieser Welle reiten"

— To ride this wave (of success or a trend).

Die Firma reitet gerade auf dieser Erfolgswelle.

informal

"Dieser Schuh passt mir nicht"

— This doesn't apply to me / I won't take the blame for this.

Diesen Schuh ziehe ich mir nicht an.

idiomatic

"An dieser Front gibt es nichts Neues"

— Nothing new on this front.

An dieser Front gibt es leider nichts Neues zu berichten.

neutral

"In diesem Sinne"

— Along those lines / In that spirit.

In diesem Sinne machen wir weiter.

neutral

"Diesem Braten traue ich nicht"

— I smell a rat / I don't trust this situation.

Das Angebot klingt zu gut, diesem Braten traue ich nicht.

informal

"Auf diesem Ohr bin ich taub"

— I'm turning a deaf ear to this / I don't want to hear about it.

Wenn du nach Geld fragst, bin ich auf diesem Ohr taub.

informal

"In diesem Punkt sind wir uns einig"

— We agree on this point.

In diesem Punkt sind wir uns endlich einig.

neutral

"Dieser Kelch ging an mir vorüber"

— I was spared from this unpleasant experience.

Zum Glück ging dieser Kelch an mir vorüber.

literary

Easily Confused

dies/e/er vs dies

It looks like the base form.

'Dies' is used as a standalone pronoun (This is...), while 'dieses' is the determiner for neuter nouns.

Dies ist mein Haus. vs. Dieses Haus ist mein.

dies/e/er vs diesen

Used for both masculine accusative and plural dative.

Context and the noun's ending (plural dative nouns often end in -n) tell them apart.

Ich sehe diesen Mann. vs. Ich helfe diesen Männern.

dies/e/er vs dieser

Used for masculine nominative, feminine dative, and feminine/plural genitive.

You must look at the noun's gender and the sentence structure.

Dieser Mann (Masc Nom) vs. Mit dieser Frau (Fem Dat).

dies/e/er vs diese

Used for feminine nominative/accusative and plural nominative/accusative.

Check if the noun is singular feminine or plural.

Diese Frau (Sing) vs. Diese Frauen (Plur).

dies/e/er vs dieses

Used for neuter nominative/accusative and masculine/neuter genitive.

In genitive, the noun will also have an -s ending.

Dieses Kind (Nom) vs. Die Farbe dieses Autos (Gen).

Sentence Patterns

Dieser/Diese/Dieses [Noun] ist [Adjective].

Dieser Hund ist groß.

Ich mag diesen/diese/dieses [Noun].

Ich mag diesen Film.

In diesem [Noun] [Verb] man...

In diesem Haus wohnt man gern.

Aufgrund dieser [Noun] [Verb]...

Aufgrund dieser Tatsache müssen wir gehen.

Dieser [Noun] folgend, lässt sich sagen...

Dieser Logik folgend, lässt sich sagen...

Die Tragweite dieses [Noun] ist...

Die Tragweite dieses Ereignisses ist enorm.

Diese Woche [Verb] ich...

Diese Woche arbeite ich viel.

Trotz dieses [Noun]...

Trotz dieses Regens gehen wir raus.

Word Family

Nouns

How to Use It

frequency

Extremely high; one of the top 100 words in German.

Common Mistakes

Ich mag dieser Film. → Ich mag diesen Film.
'Film' is masculine and the direct object, so it must be accusative ('diesen').
Dies Buch ist gut. → Dieses Buch ist gut.
'Dies' cannot be used as a determiner; it needs the neuter ending '-es' for 'Buch'.
In diese Stadt wohne ich. → In dieser Stadt wohne ich.
'In' (location) takes the dative. 'Stadt' is feminine, so 'diese' becomes 'dieser'.
Ich helfe diese Kinder. → Ich helfe diesen Kindern.
'Helfen' takes the dative. For plural 'Kinder', 'diese' becomes 'diesen'.
Wegen dieser Problem... → Wegen dieses Problems...
'Wegen' takes the genitive. 'Problem' is neuter, so it's 'dieses Problems'.

Tips

The 'Der' Rule

If you can't remember the ending for 'dieser', think of the article 'der, die, das'. The last letter is usually the same! (der -> dieser, dem -> diesem).

Point and Say

When practicing, physically point at things. It reinforces the 'demonstrative' nature of the word in your brain.

Cohesion

Use 'dieser' to link sentences. If you mention a 'Problem' in sentence 1, start sentence 2 with 'Dieses Problem...' to sound more fluent.

Focus on the Ending

Train your ear to catch the final sound (-er, -en, -em). It tells you everything about the grammar of the sentence.

Time Phrases

Memorize 'diese Woche', 'diesen Monat', and 'dieses Jahr' as fixed blocks. They are used constantly.

No 'Dies' Before Nouns

Never say 'dies Mann'. It must be 'dieser Mann'. The only exception is 'dies' as a standalone pronoun.

Don't Overdo It

In casual speech, use 'der' more often. Save 'dieser' for when you really want to emphasize 'THIS one'.

Genitive Practice

Try using 'dieses' in the genitive (e.g., 'trotz dieses Fehlers') to instantly sound more advanced in your writing.

Rhyme It

Remember: 'Dieser' rhymes with 'Kaiser'. Imagine a Kaiser pointing at 'dieser' throne.

Social Cues

Using 'dieser' can sometimes sound a bit distancing or cold when talking about people. Use it carefully.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'DIESER' as 'THE-SIR'. You are pointing at 'this sir' (this man). The endings match 'DER' (der -> dieser).

Visual Association

Imagine a giant neon finger pointing down at an object. The finger has the word 'DIES-' written on it, and the ending changes color based on what it points at.

Word Web

dieser diese dieses diesen diesem dieses diesmal diesseits

Challenge

Go through your room and point at 10 objects. For each, say 'Dieser/Diese/Dieses [Object] ist [Adjective]' with the correct gender and ending.

Word Origin

Derived from the Old High German 'deser', which was formed by combining the demonstrative base 'de-' with a suffix '-se'. It has cognates in other Germanic languages, though English 'this' evolved differently.

Original meaning: Originally used to emphasize a specific person or thing within the immediate field of vision.

Germanic / Indo-European.

Cultural Context

No specific sensitivities, but avoid using 'dieser' to refer to people in a way that sounds objectifying; use 'dieser Mann' or 'diese Frau' instead of just 'dieser' if possible.

English speakers often struggle because they only have 'this' and 'these'. They must learn to perceive the gender of objects to use 'dieser' correctly.

'In diesem Sinne' - a common way to end speeches in Germany. Goethe's works often use 'dieser' and 'jener' to create philosophical contrasts. The song 'Dieser Weg' by Xavier Naidoo.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Shopping

Was kostet dieser...?
Ich nehme diese...
Haben Sie dieses... in Rot?
Diesen hier, bitte.

Giving Directions

Folgen Sie dieser Straße.
An dieser Ecke links.
In diesem Gebäude.
An dieser Haltestelle.

Work/Meetings

In diesem Quartal...
Dieser Punkt ist wichtig.
Wie sehen Sie diese Sache?
In diesem Zusammenhang...

Time

diese Woche
dieses Jahr
diesen Monat
dieses Mal

Pointing things out

Siehst du diesen Baum?
Kennst du diese Frau?
Was ist dieses Ding?
Diese Leute sind nett.

Conversation Starters

"Hast du diesen neuen Film schon gesehen?"

"Was hältst du von dieser Idee?"

"Wie gefällt dir dieses Restaurant?"

"Kennst du diesen Song von der Band?"

"Warst du diese Woche schon beim Sport?"

Journal Prompts

Beschreibe diesen Tag in drei Sätzen.

Was war das Beste an dieser Woche?

Warum hast du dieses Buch zum Lesen gewählt?

Was würdest du an dieser Stadt verändern?

Wie fühlst du dich in diesem Moment?

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Use 'dies' as a standalone pronoun when referring to a general situation or when introducing something (e.g., 'Dies ist meine Meinung'). Use 'dieses' when it is followed by a neuter noun (e.g., 'Dieses Buch').

Yes, 'dieser' is slightly more formal and much more specific. In casual speech, Germans often just say 'der' with emphasis to mean 'this one'.

When it comes before a noun, yes. It must always have an ending that matches the noun's gender, case, and number.

'Dieser' refers to something close ('this'), while 'jener' refers to something further away ('that'). 'Jener' is mostly used in formal writing.

You say 'diese Woche'. 'Woche' is feminine, and here it is in the accusative case for a time expression.

Yes, you can say 'dieser Mann' or 'diese Frau'. It's like saying 'this man' or 'this woman'.

They are: -er, -e, -es (Nominative); -en, -e, -es (Accusative); -em, -er, -em (Dative); -es, -er, -es (Genitive). Plural is -e, -e, -en, -er.

Because 'Leute' is plural, and the dative plural ending for 'dieser' is -en.

Yes, it belongs to the group of words called 'der-words' because they follow the same declension pattern as the definite article 'der'.

Yes. 'Welchen Stift willst du?' - 'Diesen.' (Which pen do you want? - This one.)