denne/dette/disse

This / These (Formal)

Level 3

Denne (common), dette (neuter), and disse (plural) are the formal equivalents of 'this' and 'these'. They are standard in written Danish but rarely spoken.

How It Works

In Danish, denne, dette, and disse function as proximal demonstratives. They are used to point to something close to the speaker or something just mentioned in a text.

1. Forms and Agreement:
The form changes based on the gender and number of the noun:

  • Denne: Used with common gender singular nouns (e.g., denne mand).
  • Dette: Used with neuter gender singular nouns (e.g., dette hus).
  • Disse: Used with all plural nouns (e.g., disse børn).

2. Usage as Pronouns:
These words can also function as standalone pronouns without a following noun. For example: Jeg foretrækker dette (I prefer this) or Hvem ejer disse? (Who owns these?).

3. The Indefinite Rule:
A crucial rule in Danish is that the noun following these demonstratives must remain in the indefinite form. You do not add the definite suffix to the noun. This is a common point of confusion for learners of other Scandinavian languages.

4. Adjective Agreement:
If an adjective is placed between the demonstrative and the noun, the adjective takes the definite -e ending, but the noun still remains indefinite: denne nye bil (this new car).

5. Register (Written vs. Spoken):
These words are highly formal. You will see them in newspapers, legal documents, and academic texts. In everyday conversation, Danes almost always use den her / det her or de her instead. Using denne in a casual chat can sound overly stiff.

Examples (5)

  1. Denne rapport er meget vigtig.

    This report is very important.

    Word by Word: This report is very important.

    'Denne' is used because 'rapport' is a common gender noun. Note that 'rapport' is in the indefinite form.

  2. Dette hus blev bygget i 1920.

    This house was built in 1920.

    Word by Word: This house was built in 1920.

    'Dette' is used for the neuter noun 'hus'.

  3. Disse resultater viser en klar tendens.

    These results show a clear trend.

    Word by Word: These results show a clear trend.

    'Disse' is the plural form used for both genders.

  4. Denne gamle bygning skal renoveres.

    This old building must be renovated.

    Word by Word: This old building shall be renovated.

    When an adjective is used, it takes the -e ending ('gamle'), but the noun 'bygning' remains indefinite.

  5. Vi har diskuteret dette emne før.

    We have discussed this topic before.

    Word by Word: We have discussed this topic before.

    'Dette' refers back to a specific topic mentioned in a formal context.

Common Mistakes

  • Using the definite form of the noun after the demonstrative.

    denne bogen
    denne bog

    In Danish, unlike Norwegian, the noun must be in the indefinite form when preceded by denne/dette/disse.

  • Using 'denne' in casual spoken conversation.

    Different MeaningJeg kan godt lide denne kage.
    Jeg kan godt lide den her kage.

    While grammatically correct, 'denne' sounds very stiff in speech. 'Den her' is the natural spoken equivalent.

  • Gender mismatch (using 'denne' for neuter nouns).

    denne barn
    dette barn

    'Barn' is a neuter noun (et barn), so it requires the neuter demonstrative 'dette'.

How It Connects

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

denne/dette/disseLevel 3This / These (Formal)

Learn This First

To use 'denne', 'dette', and 'disse' correctly, you must first understand Danish noun genders (common vs. neuter) and how to form plurals, as the demonstrative must agree with the noun it modifies. It is also helpful to be familiar with the spoken equivalents 'den her' and 'det her' to understand the functional role of these words.

Learn Next

Patterns that build on this one.

Words in This Pattern

dennedettedisse