Demonstrative Determiner For Intermediate learners

Demonstrative Determiners in the German Grammer

What Are Demonstrative Determiners?

A Demonstrativbegleiter (demonstrative determiner) is a word that comes before a noun to point out a specific person, object, or idea. It emphasizes exactly which thing is meant and is more precise than just using a definite article.
Common German demonstrative determiners include:

Dieser

Jener

Derjenige

Bestimmter Artikel

Dieser (this/these)

Indicates something close in space, time, or emotional context. These are the most common and are often used in everyday spoken German.

Example

Dieser Stuhl ist bequem.

This chair is comfortable.

Ich nehme diesen Pullover.

I'll take this sweater.

Jener (that, distant)

Used in formal or literary contexts for something more distant, physically, temporally, or conceptually.

Example

Jene alte Legende ist faszinierend.

That old legend is fascinating.

Wir nähern uns jenem Dorf.

We are approaching that village.

Derjenige (the one that…)

Used to refer to a specific entity among others, often to highlight or single it out. They can replace longer descriptions or clarify which person or thing is meant.

Example

Ich suche denjenigen erfahrenen Mann, den du erwähnt hast.

I'm looking for that experienced man you mentioned.

Die Meinung desjenigen Experten zählt hier am meisten.

The opinion of that expert counts the most here.

Note

In derjenige / diejenige / dasjenige, the "-jenige" part in the middle is what makes it different from other demonstratives like der/die/das or dieser/diese/dieses.
The endings (-er, -e, -es, -en, etc.) follow normal declension rules, but the "-jenige" stays the same and gives the word its special meaning.

Bestimmter Artikel

These forms are formal or literary alternatives to other demonstratives. They emphasize a specific noun in the sentence, often adding clarity or stylistic weight.

Example

Ich helfe dem Mann mit dem schweren Koffer.

I'm helping that man with the heavy suitcase.

Ich helfe den Kindern, die draußen warten.

I'm helping those children waiting outside.

Declension

The most common stem, dies-, serves as a model for others. Its endings change according to case, gender, and number:

Case	Masculine	Feminine	Neuter	Plural
Nominative	dieser	diese	dieses	diese
Accusative	diesen	diese	dieses	diese
Dative	diesem	dieser	diesem	diesen
Genitive	dieses	dieser	dieses	dieser

Most other demonstratives (jener and bestimmter Artikel) follow this same pattern, so mastering it once helps across all forms.

Demonstrative Determiners vs. Demonstrative Pronouns

Demonstrative Determiners always come before a noun and modify it. In contrast, demonstrative pronouns replace the noun and can stand alone, often referring back to something already mentioned.