German · Greetings & Essentials
"That" in German: das
das
Note: before a noun: der/die/das … da
That as a standalone pointer in German is often das: Was ist das? Das will ich nicht. Before a noun, der/die/das … da or jener can mark distance.
Rejecting an option
Das will ich nicht, danke.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce das
Say it
dass
/das/
dass. Short a. Soft s.
"That" in German: quick reference
| German | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| das | that / this / it Standalone demonstrative. | Standalone demonstrative. |
| das da | that one there Farther pointing. | Farther pointing. |
| Was ist das? | What is that? Asking. | Asking. |
| der/die/das … da | that … there Before a noun. | Before a noun. |
How to use das in real life
- 1Rejecting an option
Das will ich nicht, danke.
I don't want that, thanks.
Das + wollen.
- 2Pointing farther
Nimm das da hinten, nicht das hier.
Take that one in the back, not this one here.
Das da.
- 3Surprise
Das habe ich nicht erwartet.
I didn't expect that.
Das habe ich…
Mistakes English speakers make with das
Incorrect: That ist falsch.
Correct: Das ist falsch.
Use das, not English that.
Incorrect: Confusing das with dass
Correct: das = demonstrative/article; dass = conjunction "that".
Spelling differs: one s vs double s.
Good to know
Das da and das hier are the quick near/far pair. The conjunction dass (with double s) is a different word meaning "that" as in "I think that…".
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Choosing a jacket on a rack
ChatPal
Willst du das oder das andere?
Do you want that or the other one?
You
Das da mit den großen Taschen.
That one there with the big pockets.
ChatPal
Okay. Dann nehmen wir das.
Okay. Then we'll take that.
You
Ja. Und weg hier.
Yes. And out of here.
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"That" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "That" in German
How do you say that?
Often das as a pointer.
That one there?
Das da.
das vs dass?
das points or is an article; dass introduces a clause.
What is that?
Was ist das?
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