Chapter 19: Demonstrative Pronouns (dit, dat, deze, die)

Introduction: Pointing Things Out

Demonstrative pronouns are words we use to point to specific people or things. In English, we use "this," "that," "these," and "those." Dutch has four similar words: dit, dat, deze, and die. The choice depends on two factors: the noun's type (de-word or het-word, singular or plural) and its perceived distance from the speaker (close by or far away).

The Four Demonstratives

Here's how they work:

1. Close By (This / These):

Use dit for singular het-nouns that are close.
dit huis (this house)
dit boek (this book)
dit meisje (this girl)
Example: Dit boek is interessant. (This book is interesting.)
Example: Wat is dit? (What is this? - referring to something close)

Use deze for singular de-nouns OR any plural noun that are close.
deze fiets (this bicycle)
deze man (this man)
deze stoel (this chair)
deze huizen (these houses - plural of het huis)
deze fietsen (these bicycles - plural of de fiets)
Example: Deze stoel is comfortabel. (This chair is comfortable.)
Example: Ik wil deze appels. (I want these apples.)

2. Far Away (That / Those):

Use dat for singular het-nouns that are far away.
dat huis (that house)
dat boek (that book)
dat meisje (that girl)
Example: Dat huis daar is te koop. (That house over there is for sale.)
Example: Wat is dat? (What is that? - referring to something distant)

Use die for singular de-nouns OR any plural noun that are far away.
die fiets (that bicycle)
die man (that man)
die stoel (that chair)
die huizen (those houses)
die fietsen (those bicycles)
Example: Die auto rijdt snel. (That car drives fast.)
Example: Ken je die mensen? (Do you know those people?)

Summary Table

This table helps visualize the choices:

Distance from Speaker	Noun Type	Demonstrative
Close By	Singular `het`-word	`dit`
Close By	Singular `de`-word	`deze`
Close By	Plural noun (any gender)	`deze`
Far Away	Singular `het`-word	`dat`
Far Away	Singular `de`-word	`die`
Far Away	Plural noun (any gender)	`die`

Examples with Nouns:

het boek (book): dit boek (this book), dat boek (that book), deze boeken (these books), die boeken (those books).
de fiets (bicycle): deze fiets (this bicycle), die fiets (that bicycle), deze fietsen (these bicycles), die fietsen (those bicycles).

Using Demonstratives Independently

Dit, dat, deze, and die can also stand alone (without a noun following them) when it's clear what you're referring to.

Wat is dit? (What is this?)
Dat is mijn huis. (That is my house.)
Ik wil deze. (I want this one / these ones - referring to de-word or plural nearby)
Neem je die? (Are you taking that one / those ones? - referring to de-word or plural far away)

Demonstratives and Adjective Endings

Remember that dit and dat (before singular het-words) affect adjective endings:

het grote huis (the big house)
een groot huis (a big house)
dit grote huis (this big house) - Add -e
dat grote huis (that big house) - Add -e

Demonstrative pronouns (dit, dat, deze, die) are used to point out specific items based on de/het/plural status and distance. Master the table above to choose the correct one.