Learn how to use Dutch demonstrative pronouns independently. This lesson explains forms like deze, dit, die, and dat, highlighting agreement with gender and number. Examples show usage close by and far away, adjectival and independent uses, and usage after prepositions. Practice essential phrases and differences with English to improve your Dutch proficiency.
- The demonstrative pronoun can replace a noun if it is clear what you mean. For example: Vind je deze olifant mooi of vind je die mooier?
- The demonstrative pronoun agrees with the gender and the article of the word.
| de-woord | het-woord | |
|---|---|---|
| Dichtbij (Nearby) | deze | dit |
| Veraf (far away) | die | dat |
Exceptions!
- You can also use demonstrative pronouns after a preposition. For example: In dit hok zitten leeuwen en in deze de tijgers.
- You can also use demonstrative pronouns in a list. For example: Geef me een paar van deze en wat van die.
Exercise 1: Zelfstandig gebruik van aanwijzende voornaamwoorden
Instruction: Fill in the correct word.
Dat, die, dat, Die, deze
1.
De giraf:
... bij het water is erg mooi.
(The bee by the water is very beautiful.)
2.
De aap:
Welke vind je de mooiste? Deze aap of ...?
(Which one do you find the nicest? This monkey or that one?)
3.
Het hok:
In dit hok zitten leeuwen en in ... tijgers.
(In this cage are lions and in that tigers.)
4.
Het papier:
Waar is het papier? ... ligt op het bureau.
(Where is the paper? It is on the desk.)
5.
De leeuw:
Waar is de leeuw? ... is net vertrokken.
(Where is the lion? It has just left.)
6.
De schoenen:
Doe je die schoenen of ... aan om naar de jungle te gaan?
(Do you put on those shoes or these to go to the jungle?)
7.
De dieren:
We bewonderden vooral ... in het tropisch gebied.
(We especially admired those in the tropical region.)
Exercise 2: Multiple Choice
Instruction: Choose the correct sentence with indefinite or demonstrative pronouns each time. Pay close attention to the correct usage according to the rules.
1.
'Something' refers to things or animals, but here it is about a person.
This sentence sounds like a question, but the intention is a statement; the question form is incorrect here.
2.
'Every' is used with plural nouns without a possessive pronoun.
'Each' doesn't fit with a plural like 'animals'; it should be 'all'.
3.
'These' belongs to het-words, but 'lions' is a de-word, so 'those' is correct.
'That' is incorrect for a plural de-word; here 'those' should be used.
4.
Double negation with 'no one not' is incorrect; only 'no one' is correct.
'Go' must be singular because 'one' is singular.
