den/det/de
That / Those (Stressed Den/det/de)
In Danish, the words for 'the' (den/det/de) also mean 'that' or 'those' when you emphasize them with your voice. They point to something specific or distant.
How It Works
The demonstrative pattern den/det/de is a fundamental way to point out specific objects in Danish.
1. Agreement:
You must choose the form that matches the noun's gender and number:
- Den + common gender noun (e.g., en bil -> den bil)
- Det + neuter gender noun (e.g., et hus -> det hus)
- De + plural noun (e.g., huse -> de huse)
2. Demonstrative vs. Definite Suffix:
In Danish, the simple definite 'the' is usually expressed with a definite suffix (e.g., bilen). However, to say 'that car', you use the separate word den followed by the noun in its indefinite form (e.g., den bil). You must never use the definite suffix when using these demonstratives.
3. Stress and Pronunciation:
This is the most important part for spoken Danish. If you say 'den' quickly and without emphasis, it sounds like 'the' (used before adjectives) or 'it'. To make it mean 'that', you must put strong stress on it.
4. Spoken Reinforcement:
In everyday spoken Danish, it is extremely common to use the pattern den der/det der (literally 'that there') to clarify you mean 'that' (e.g., 'den bil der'). However, using the stressed 'den' alone is grammatically correct and common in writing or formal speech.
Examples (4)
- Den bil er meget hurtig.
That car is very fast.
Word by Word: That car is very fast.
Here 'den' is stressed to mean 'that'. Notice that 'bil' is in its indefinite form (not 'bilen').
- Det hus er gammelt.
That house is old.
Word by Word: That house is old.
Since 'hus' is a neuter noun (et hus), we use 'det' to mean 'that'.
- De mennesker kender jeg ikke.
Those people I do not know.
Word by Word: Those people know I not.
'De' is the plural demonstrative used for 'those'. It is followed by the plural noun 'mennesker'.
- Jeg vil have den kage.
I want that cake.
Word by Word: I will have that cake.
By stressing 'den', the speaker points out a specific cake among others.
Common Mistakes
Using 'double definiteness' (adding the definite suffix to the noun).
Den bilen er rød.Den bil er rød.In Danish, you cannot use both the demonstrative 'den' and the definite suffix '-en' together. The noun must remain in the indefinite form: 'den bil'.
Gender mismatch between the demonstrative and the noun.
Den hus er stort.Det hus er stort.Because 'hus' is a neuter noun (et hus), you must use 'det' instead of 'den'.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To use 'den', 'det', and 'de' as demonstratives (meaning 'that' or 'those'), you must first understand Danish noun genders (common vs. neuter) to select the correct form. You should also be familiar with these words in their basic pronoun functions before learning how to use them with stress to point at specific objects or people.
Related Patterns
- den her/det herThis (Den Her/det Her)
This is the proximal version ('this'), often used in speech instead of the formal 'denne'.
Level 1 - den der/det derThat (Den Der/det Der)
The most common way to say 'that' in spoken Danish, reinforcing the stressed 'den/det' with 'der'.
Level 1 - den/det/de + AdjectiveDefinite with an Adjective
These words look identical but function as the 'definite article' when an adjective is present (e.g., 'den store bil').
Level 2 - denne/dette/disseThis / These (Formal)
The formal written equivalent for 'this/these', contrasting with the distal 'that' (den/det).
Level 3 - No Double Definiteness
The rule explaining why we don't add suffixes to the noun when using 'den/det/de'.
Level 2
Words in This Pattern
Practice den/det/de in Bubblegum
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