denna/detta/dessa

This/these (Formal Demonstrative)

Level 2

Formal written pattern: denna bok, detta hus, dessa böcker. Compare den här boken. Regional denna boken is established usage, not a random error.

How It Works

Formal Demonstrative Pronouns

A common way to say 'this' or 'these' in formal written Swedish is to use denna, detta, and dessa. The forms also occur in speech, with regional differences.

1. Form Selection by Gender and Number

  • Denna + singular en-word: denna dag (this day)
  • Detta + singular ett-word: detta beslut (this decision)
  • Dessa + plural nouns (both genders): dessa regler (these rules)

2. Indefinite Noun Form Rule
Unlike the everyday spoken demonstrative den här/det här which requires a definite noun form (den här boken), the ordinary formal written pattern after denna/detta/dessa uses the indefinite noun form:

  • denna bok (ordinary formal written form) vs denna boken (regional usage)
  • detta hus (ordinary formal written form) vs detta huset (regional usage)

3. Adjectives with Denna/Detta/Dessa
If an adjective modifies the noun, the adjective takes its weak/definite form, usually ending in -a, while the noun remains in the indefinite form in this written pattern: denna nya bok (this new book).

Regional And Independent Uses
Southern and western regional Swedish uses combinations such as denna boken, detta året, and dessa böckerna. Certain fixed expressions also retain the definite noun suffix, such as i denna världen. For general formal writing, use the ordinary pattern without that suffix.

The noun can be omitted when understood: Jag väljer denna (I choose this one). You may also encounter masculine-person denne, especially in formal writing: denne nye lärare. This is a separate established form, not an alternative for every en-word.

Examples (4)

  1. Denna rapport måste vara klar på fredag.

    This report must be finished on Friday.

    Word by Word: This report must be ready on Friday.

    'Denna' is used with the en-word 'rapport' in its indefinite form.

  2. Detta beslut är mycket viktigt för företaget.

    This decision is very important for the company.

    Word by Word: This decision is very important for company-the.

    'Detta' is used with the ett-word 'beslut' in its indefinite form.

  3. Dessa frågor är svåra att besvara.

    These questions are difficult to answer.

    Word by Word: These questions are difficult to answer.

    'Dessa' is used with plural nouns.

  4. Vi måste lösa detta problem så snart som möjligt.

    We must solve this problem as soon as possible.

    Word by Word: We must solve this problem so soon as possible.

    'Detta' modifies the ett-word 'problem'.

Common Mistakes

  • Using 'denna' with an ett-word

    Denna hus ligger nära sjön.
    Detta hus ligger nära sjön.

    Use 'detta' for neuter (ett) nouns in the singular, and 'denna' for common gender (en) nouns.

How It Connects

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denna/detta/dessaLevel 2This/these (Formal Demonstrative)

Learn This First

To use 'denna', 'detta', and 'dessa' correctly, you must first understand Swedish noun genders (en/ett) and how to form plurals, as these demonstratives must agree with the noun they modify. It is also helpful to be familiar with the more common 'den här/det här' construction to understand the functional role of demonstratives.

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Patterns that build on this one.

Words in This Pattern

dennadettadessa