de här/de där

These/those (Plural Demonstratives)

Level 1

Use 'de här' for 'these' (plural nouns nearby) and 'de där' for 'those' (plural nouns farther away).

How It Works

In Swedish, to say 'these' or 'those' for plural items, you use de här and de där.

The structure is simple:

  • de här + noun in definite plural form = these...
  • de där + noun in definite plural form = those...

This is an example of a rule called double determination, where you use both a demonstrative pronoun (like 'de här') and a definite noun ending.

Think of it like this:

  • här = here (close) → de här = these (the ones here)
  • där = there (far) → de där = those (the ones there)

Use the appropriate definite plural form on the noun. For example, 'en bil' (a car) becomes 'bilar' (cars) and then 'bilarna' (the cars).

Example:
de här + bilarna → de här bilarna (these cars)

With An Adjective Or Without A Noun
Use the adjective’s plural/weak form before the definite plural noun: de här nya böckerna, de där röda husen. Some adjectives are unchanged, as in de här bra böckerna. If the noun is understood, it can be absent: Jag väljer de här (I choose these).

Near and far are useful starting meanings, not measurements. The speaker can refer to things just discussed or point them out in the shared situation. The same plural form de här/de där applies to nouns of both genders.

Examples (5)

  1. De här böckerna är intressanta.

    These books are interesting.

    Word by Word: These the-books are interesting.

  2. Jag vill köpa de där skorna.

    I want to buy those shoes.

    Word by Word: I want to buy those the-shoes.

  3. Titta på de här bilderna!

    Look at these pictures!

    Word by Word: Look at these the-pictures!

  4. De där katterna är söta.

    Those cats are cute.

    Word by Word: Those the-cats are cute.

  5. Kan du ge mig de här nycklarna?

    Can you give me these keys?

    Word by Word: Can you give me these the-keys?

Common Mistakes

  • Using the indefinite plural noun form instead of the definite plural form.

    Jag gillar de här bilar.
    Jag gillar de här bilarna.

    In this ordinary demonstrative noun phrase, use definite plural bilarna after de här: de här bilarna. Plain bilar is the indefinite plural. The demonstrative can also stand alone when the noun is understood.

How It Connects

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

de här/de därLevel 1These/those (Plural Demonstratives)

Learn This First

To use plural demonstratives, you need to know how to form plural nouns and understand how the spatial markers 'här' and 'där' function in Swedish demonstrative phrases.

Words in This Pattern

de