det der/det som

That Which (Det Der/det Som)

Level 4

Det der and det som are used to mean 'that which' or 'the thing that'. In this structure, det acts as the 'thing' being described, while der or som introduces the description.

How It Works

In the pattern det der / det som, the word det serves as the antecedent (the 'thing' we are talking about), and der or som acts as the relative pronoun.

1. Subject vs. Object:
If the relative pronoun is the subject of the following clause, you can use either det der or det som. However, if it is the object, you cannot use der. In object positions, you can use som or simply omit the pronoun entirely.

  • Subject: Det, der skete... (That which happened...)
  • Object: Det, (som) jeg så... (That which I saw...)

Note: While hvad also means 'what', it is a true fused relative that replaces the entire det som unit; you cannot say 'det hvad'.

2. Prepositions and Coordination:
There are two strict rules where som is required over der:

  • Prepositions: Der cannot be used if a preposition is involved. You must use som (e.g., Det, som jeg tænker på...).
  • Coordination: If you link two relative clauses with 'og', the second pronoun must be som (e.g., Det, der kom først, og som vandt...).

3. Register and Gender:
In spoken Danish, det der is very common. Det som is slightly more formal. We use det because it refers to an abstract 'thing' (neuter). If you refer to a specific common-gender noun, you would use den instead (e.g., Den, som er rød referring to a car).

Examples (4)

  1. Det, der betyder mest for mig, er min familie.

    That which matters most to me is my family.

    Word by Word: That, which means most for me, is my family.

    Here 'det der' is the subject of the clause 'betyder mest for mig'.

  2. Jeg har glemt det, som du fortalte mig i går.

    I have forgotten what you told me yesterday.

    Word by Word: I have forgotten that, which you told me yesterday.

    Here 'det som' is the object of 'fortalte' (you told [it] to me).

  3. Det, som er vigtigt, er at vi er sammen.

    What is important is that we are together.

    Word by Word: That, which is important, is that we are together.

    In this case, 'det som' is used as a subject. 'Det der' could also be used here.

  4. Giv mig det, som ligger på bordet.

    Give me that which is lying on the table.

    Word by Word: Give me that, which lies on the table.

    This points to a specific thing on the table using a relative clause.

Common Mistakes

  • Using 'der' as an object.

    Det der jeg så var spændende.
    Det (som) jeg så var spændende.

    In Danish, 'der' can only function as a subject. If the relative pronoun is the object (the thing being seen), you must use 'som' or, very commonly, omit the pronoun entirely.

  • Using 'der' after a preposition.

    Det er det, om der jeg taler.
    Det er det, som jeg taler om.

    'Der' can never follow a preposition or be used in a clause where the relative pronoun is governed by one. Use 'som' instead, or place the preposition at the end of the clause.

  • Forgetting to switch to 'som' in coordinated clauses.

    Det er noget, der larmer og der irriterer mig.
    Det er noget, der larmer og som irriterer mig.

    When joining two relative clauses with 'og' (and), the second clause must use 'som', even if it is the subject of that clause.

How It Connects

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

det der/det somLevel 4That Which (Det Der/det Som)

Learn This First

To understand 'det der' and 'det som', you first need to be familiar with the neuter pronoun 'det' and how 'der' and 'som' function as relative pronouns to introduce subordinate clauses.

Learn Next

Patterns that build on this one.

Words in This Pattern

dersom