German · Greetings & Essentials
"This" in German: das
das
Note: before a noun: dieser/diese/dieses
This as a standalone pointer in German is often das: Was ist das? Das möchte ich. Before a noun use dieser/diese/dieses.
Choosing pastry
Das nehme ich, das mit Schokolade.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce das
Say it
dass
/das/
dass. Short a. Soft s. Same sound as dass (that/conjunction) in many accents.
"This" in German: quick reference
| German | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| das | this / that / it Standalone demonstrative. | Standalone demonstrative. |
| Was ist das? | What is this? Pointing. | Pointing. |
| das hier | this one here Clearer near speaker. | Clearer near speaker. |
| dieser / diese / dieses | this + noun Before a noun. | Before a noun. |
How to use das in real life
- 1Choosing pastry
Das nehme ich, das mit Schokolade.
I'll take this, the one with chocolate.
Das pointing.
- 2Confusion
Was ist das auf dem Teller?
What is this on the plate?
Was ist das?
- 3Confirming
Genau das wollte ich sagen.
That's exactly what I wanted to say.
Genau das.
Mistakes English speakers make with das
Incorrect: This ist gut.
Correct: Das ist gut.
Use das, not English this.
Incorrect: das Buch hier (forgetting gender forms when needed)
Correct: dieses Buch / das Buch hier
Before nouns, dieses/diese/dieser is clearer; bare das still works as a pointer.
Good to know
Das is the everyday pointer in shops and kitchens. Das hier vs das da softens the near/far contrast without switching vocabulary much.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Picking a souvenir
ChatPal
Magst du das oder lieber das blaue?
Do you like this or rather the blue one?
You
Das. Das fühlt sich besser an.
This. This feels better.
ChatPal
Okay. Dann kaufen wir das.
Okay. Then we'll buy this.
You
Ja. Und noch eine Karte.
Yes. And another card.
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"This" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "This" in German
How do you say this?
Often das as a pointer; dieser/diese/dieses before nouns.
What is this?
Was ist das?
This one here?
Das hier.
This book?
Dieses Buch.
Learn a word, then use it out loud
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- Step 3: Get feedback
- Step 4: Use it in real scenarios
