Dutch grammar: gebruik van demonstratieve voornaamwoorden

What this grammar point covers

Demonstrative pronouns in Dutch are words like 'dit', 'dat', 'deze', and 'die', which are used to point to specific people or things.

When to use it

Use these pronouns to indicate or emphasize a specific object or person. 'Dit' and 'dat' are used with 'het'-words (neuter nouns), while 'deze' and 'die' are used with 'de'-words (common gender nouns) and all plurals. 'Dit' and 'deze' refer to things close by (this/these), while 'dat' and 'die' refer to things further away (that/those).

Key forms

• 'dit' (this, neuter singular)
• 'dat' (that, neuter singular)
• 'deze' (this, common gender singular & plural)
• 'die' (that, common gender singular & plural)

Examples

Tips

• Always match the demonstrative pronoun to the gender and number of the noun.
• 'Dit' and 'dat' are for 'het'-words (singular); 'deze' and 'die' are for 'de'-words and all plurals.
• Do not use 'dit' or 'dat' with plural nouns.

Exceptions and edge cases

• With abstract ideas, 'dit' and 'dat' are often used, even if the noun is not mentioned.