Demonstrative Pronoun: dieser
How to decline dieser/diese/dieses across nominative, accusative, and dative.
Overview
The demonstrative pronoun dieser means "this" or "these" and is used to point at a specific person or thing. It follows the der-word pattern — meaning its endings match the definite articles (der, die, das) exactly.
Dieser Mann ist mein Nachbar. — This man is my neighbor.
Kennst du diese Frau? — Do you know this woman?
Other der-words like jeder (every), welcher (which), and mancher (some) follow the same pattern.
All Forms
| Case | Masculine | Feminine | Neuter | Plural |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nom | dieser | diese | dieses | diese |
| Akk | diesen | diese | dieses | diese |
| Dat | diesem | dieser | diesem | diesen |
The pattern is simple: take "dies-" and add the same ending as the corresponding definite article.
| Case | der → dieser | die → diese | das → dieses | die (pl.) → diese |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nom | dieser | diese | dieses | diese |
| Akk | diesen | diese | dieses | diese |
| Dat | diesem | dieser | diesem | diesen |
Nominative
The nominative is used when dieser is the subject of the sentence.
Dieser Film ist sehr gut. — This film is very good.
Diese Blume ist wunderschön. — This flower is beautiful.
Dieses Buch gehört mir. — This book belongs to me.
Diese Kinder spielen draußen. — These children play outside.
Accusative
The accusative is used when dieser is the direct object. Only masculine changes form.
Ich kaufe diesen Mantel. — I buy this coat.
Sie liest diese Zeitung. — She reads this newspaper.
Wir nehmen dieses Zimmer. — We take this room.
Kennst du diese Leute? — Do you know these people?
Note: Only diesen (masculine accusative) differs from the nominative. Feminine, neuter, and plural stay the same.
Dative
The dative is used after dative verbs, dative prepositions, and for indirect objects.
Ich helfe diesem Mann. — I help this man.
Sie gibt dieser Frau ein Buch. — She gives this woman a book.
Wir wohnen in diesem Haus. — We live in this house.
Er spricht mit diesen Leuten. — He speaks with these people.
Watch out: dieser (feminine dative) looks identical to dieser (masculine nominative)! Context and the noun tell you which is which.
Tips
- dieser follows the EXACT same pattern as der/die/das — just add "dies-" + the article ending.
- Other der-words follow the same pattern: jeder (every), welcher (which), mancher (some) — learn one, know them all.
- Masculine is the trickiest — it has 3 different forms: dieser (nom), diesen (akk), diesem (dat).
- Feminine nominative and accusative are always "diese" — only dative changes to "dieser."