dieser
this · that
Dieser is a demonstrative pronoun meaning 'this' or 'that'. It points to something specific, often near the speaker or just mentioned. Germans use it more often than English 'this' to refer to things already known.
What dieser means
- this — referring to something close or just mentioned
- that — referring to something more distant or previously mentioned
Heard in real German videos
Lines where dieser was actually spoken, from German videos watched with DeutschChat.
- Ich will diese Pizza.I want this pizza.
- Aber ich will dieses Mal gewinnen.But I want to win this time.
Example sentences
- Dieser Kuchen schmeckt gut.This cake tastes good.
- Ich mag diese Farbe.I like this color.
- Dieses Buch ist interessant.This book is interesting.
- Diese Schuhe sind neu.These shoes are new.
Grammar
| Type | demonstrative pronoun |
|---|---|
| Declension | like definite article: dieser, diese, dieses, diesen, diesem, etc. |
| Gender forms | dieser (masc.), diese (fem.), dieses (neut.), diese (plural) |
Dieser changes endings like the definite article (der/die/das). For example: dieser Mann, diese Frau, dieses Kind.
Common phrases
- dieses Malthis time
- dieser Tagethese days, one of these days
- dies und dasthis and that
The mistake English speakers make
English speakers often forget to change the ending to match the noun's gender and case, saying 'dieser Frau' instead of 'diese Frau'. Always check the noun's gender and case.
Don’t confuse it with
- jener — Jener means 'that' (more distant), but is rarely used in spoken German; dieser is used for both 'this' and 'that'.
- der/die/das — As a demonstrative, der/die/das can also mean 'that', but is more colloquial and often stressed; dieser is more formal and precise.
Questions learners ask
What is the difference between dieser and der/die/das?
Dieser is more formal and emphatic, while der/die/das as a demonstrative is more common in spoken German. Both can mean 'this' or 'that'.
How do you decline dieser?
Dieser follows the same endings as the definite article: dieser (nom. masc.), diese (nom. fem./plural), dieses (nom. neut.), diesen (acc. masc.), diesem (dat. masc./neut.), etc.
Can dieser mean 'that'?
Yes, dieser can mean both 'this' and 'that'. Context tells you which. For emphasis on distance, you can use 'jener', but it's rare in speech.