dié

Dié with an Accent

Level 3

Dié with an accent points to one particular thing, like a stressed this or that: dié keer (this time).

How It Works

Die or dié? The accent changes the word:

  • Sy soek die sleutel. (She is looking for the key.)
  • Dié sleutel lyk anders as die res. (This key looks different from the rest.)

You say dié with stress, so it stands out in the sentence. See die + noun for the article.

Before a noun. Dié works like hierdie or daardie, but it simply points, without saying near or far:

  • dié keer (this time)
  • dié week (this week)
  • in dié tyd (in those days, at that time)

The very one. Dié can point back to the one you have already talked about: Dit is dié man van wie ek gepraat het. (That is the man I told you about.)

On its own. Dié can also stand without a noun, often before a wat clause: Dié wat klaar is, kan huis toe gaan. (Those who are finished can go home.)

Where you meet it. In everyday speech people usually say hierdie, daardie or daai. Dié is common in newspapers, books and set phrases such as dié keer. When you write it, keep the accent, or it becomes the article.

Not dit. Dit means it and cannot stand before a noun. For this man, say dié man or hierdie man.

Examples (5)

  1. Ek sal dié keer betaal.

    I'll pay this time.

    Word by Word: I will this time pay.

  2. Dié sleutel lyk anders as die res.

    This key looks different from the rest.

    Word by Word: This key looks different than the rest.

    The first word is the demonstrative dié; the die before res is the article.

  3. Dit is dié man van wie ek gepraat het.

    That is the man I told you about.

    Word by Word: It is this man of whom I spoken have.

  4. Dié week is ek baie besig.

    This week I am very busy.

    Word by Word: This week am I very busy.

  5. Dié wat klaar is, kan huis toe gaan.

    Those who are finished can go home.

    Word by Word: Those who finished are, can home to go.

Common Mistakes

  • Leaving out the accent.

    Ek sal die keer betaal.
    Ek sal dié keer betaal.

    Without the accent, die is only the article the, so the sentence no longer says this time.

  • Using dit before a noun for this.

    Dit man is my oom.
    Dié man is my oom.

    Dit means it and cannot go before a noun. Use dié or hierdie.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

diéLevel 3Dié with an Accent

Learn This First

Dié with an accent is a stressed demonstrative, next to hierdie and daardie.

Words in This Pattern

diédié