German Demonstratives: Pointing Out People and Things with 'dieser' and 'jener'
Learn to use German demonstratives like 'dieser' and 'jener' to point out people and things near and far, and understand how they differ from definite articles.
By TheaFirst conversations · Yapr Learn
In German, just like in English, you often need to point out specific people or things: 'this book' versus 'that book'. German uses demonstratives such as 'dieser' (this) and 'jener' (that) for this purpose. Unlike definite articles like 'der/die/das', which simply mean 'the', demonstratives add a pointing function, indicating whether something is near or far in physical space or in the conversation. This lesson will teach you the forms and uses of these demonstratives at a beginner level, with plenty of examples and practice.
By the end, you can…
- recognize and use the German demonstratives 'dieser' and 'jener' in the nominative case.
- distinguish between definite articles and demonstratives in context.
- point out people and objects near and far in simple German sentences.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
Dieses Buch ist meins.
This book is mine.
DEE-zes book ist mine
Use 'dieses' for a neuter noun (das Buch) that is near you.
Jenes Buch ist deins.
That book is yours.
YEH-nes book ist dines
Use 'jenes' for a neuter noun that is farther away.
Dieser Mann ist mein Lehrer.
This man is my teacher.
DEE-zer mahn ist mine LAY-rer
Use 'dieser' for a masculine noun (der Mann) that is near.
Jene Frau ist meine Mutter.
That woman is my mother.
YEH-ne frow ist MINE-uh MOO-ter
Use 'jene' for a feminine noun (die Frau) that is far.
Diese Kinder sind meine Freunde.
These children are my friends.
DEE-zuh KIN-der zint MINE-uh FROYN-duh
Use 'diese' for plural nouns that are near.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
Demonstratives in German change form based on the gender and number of the noun they modify, just like definite articles. For nominative case: masculine: dieser/jener; feminine: diese/jene; neuter: dieses/jenes; plural: diese/jene. For example: 'Dieser Apfel ist rot.' (This apple is red.) 'Jene Blume ist schön.' (That flower is beautiful.) 'Dieses Haus ist groß.' (This house is big.) 'Jene Autos sind neu.' (Those cars are new.)
When to use it
Use 'dieser' (this) to point to something close to you in space, time, or discourse, and 'jener' (that) for something farther away. In everyday spoken German, 'jener' is often replaced by 'der/die/das' with stress, or by 'der/die/das da' (that one there). For example: 'Dieses Buch hier ist interessant.' (This book here is interesting.) 'Das Buch da ist langweilig.' (That book there is boring.) In writing, 'jener' is more formal and less common.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
Siehst du dieses Bild hier?
Do you see this picture here?ZEEST doo DEE-zes bilt heerJa, und jenes Bild dort ist auch schön.
Yes, and that picture there is also beautiful.YAH, oont YEH-nes bilt dort ist owkh shurnDiese Bilder sind von meiner Reise.
These pictures are from my trip.DEE-zuh BIL-der zint fon MINE-er RYE-zuhJene Bilder dort drüben sind auch interessant.
Those pictures over there are also interesting.YEH-nuh BIL-der dort DROO-ben zint owkh in-ter-es-AHNTA little context goes a long way
In formal German, especially in writing, 'jener' is used to mean 'that' and is perfectly acceptable. However, in everyday conversation, speakers often use 'der/die/das ... da' or simply stressed 'der/die/das' to express the same idea. For instance, 'Das Buch da ist meins' is more common in speech than 'Jenes Buch ist meins'. Be aware of this register difference: using 'jener' in casual speech might sound slightly stilted or old-fashioned, but it is not incorrect.
One thing to watch for
Using 'dieser' for all nouns regardless of gender, e.g., 'Dieser Buch ist meins.'
Try this instead: Demonstratives must agree with the noun's gender. For neuter 'Buch', use 'dieses': 'Dieses Buch ist meins.' Similarly, for feminine 'Frau', use 'diese': 'Diese Frau ist nett.'
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How would you say 'This car is fast' in German? (das Auto)
Show a sample answer
Dieses Auto ist schnell.
'Auto' is neuter, so the nominative demonstrative is 'dieses'. 'Dieser' would be wrong because it's masculine.
2Translate: 'That house is old.' (das Haus)
Show a sample answer
Jenes Haus ist alt.
'Haus' is neuter, so 'jenes' is correct. In colloquial speech, you might also hear 'Das Haus da ist alt.'
3Which demonstrative would you use for 'these flowers' (die Blumen) in the nominative?
Show a sample answer
diese
For plural nouns, the nominative demonstrative is 'diese' for both near and far, but 'jene' can also be used for far. 'Diese Blumen' means 'these flowers'.
Remember: 'dieser' points to something near, 'jener' to something far, and both must match the gender and number of the noun. In everyday speech, 'der/die/das ... da' often replaces 'jener'.
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