dit/deze

This/These

Level 1

Dit and deze both mean 'this' or 'these'. They point to things close to you. The choice depends on the noun's gender and number.

How It Works

In Dutch, demonstrative pronouns must match the noun they describe. These words are used for objects that are nearby (this/these), as opposed to dat/die (that/those).

1. The Gender Rule

  • Dit: Used with singular het-words (neuter). Example: dit huis (this house).
  • Deze: Used with singular de-words (common gender). Example: deze man (this man).

2. The Plural Rule
Regardless of the original gender, all plural nouns use deze when describing a specific noun. Even if a word is a het-word in the singular, it becomes deze in the plural.
Example: dit kind (this child) → deze kinderen (these children).

3. The 'Introductory' Exception
When you are introducing someone or something for the first time (e.g., 'This is...' or 'These are...'), Dutch uses dit as a neutral subject for both singular and plural, even if the people or objects are de-words.
Example: Dit is mijn moeder (This is my mother) and Dit zijn mijn ouders (These are my parents).

Examples (6)

  1. Dit boek is interessant.

    This book is interesting.

    Word by Word: This book is interesting.

    Uses 'dit' because 'boek' is a neuter (het) noun.

  2. Deze auto is erg snel.

    This car is very fast.

    Word by Word: This car is very fast.

    Uses 'deze' because 'auto' is a common gender (de) noun.

  3. Deze schoenen zijn nieuw.

    These shoes are new.

    Word by Word: These shoes are new.

    Uses 'deze' because 'schoenen' is plural.

  4. Dit is mijn broer.

    This is my brother.

    Word by Word: This is my brother.

    Uses 'dit' for an introduction, even though 'broer' is a 'de' word.

  5. Dit zijn mijn vrienden.

    These are my friends.

    Word by Word: This are my friends.

    Uses 'dit' for a plural introduction ('These are...').

  6. Ik wil dit niet eten.

    I do not want to eat this.

    Word by Word: I want this not eat.

    Here 'dit' acts as a standalone pronoun referring to an unspecified thing.

Common Mistakes

  • Using 'dit' for plural nouns when describing them.

    Dit boeken zijn duur.
    Deze boeken zijn duur.

    Even though 'boek' is a 'het' word (dit boek), all plurals must use 'deze' when the pronoun is placed directly before the noun.

  • Using 'deze' (this one) instead of 'dit' to introduce someone.

    Different MeaningDeze is mijn vader.
    Dit is mijn vader.

    'Deze is mijn vader' is correct Dutch, but it points at one person among several ('this one is my father'). To introduce someone ('This is my father'), Dutch uses the neutral 'dit' regardless of gender or number.

How It Connects

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

dit/dezeLevel 1This/These

Learn This First

To use 'dit' and 'deze' correctly, you must first understand the Dutch gender system (de/het). 'Dit' is used for singular neuter nouns (het-words), while 'deze' is used for singular common gender nouns (de-words) and all plural nouns.

Words in This Pattern

dezedeze