Language/Swedish/Grammar/Demonstrative-pronouns
Demonstrative pronouns are used to point out specific things or persons. In Swedish, there are two types of demonstrative pronouns: 'den/ det/ de' and 'denna/ detta/ dessa'.
After mastering this lesson, these related pages might interest you: How to Describe Someone's Appearance and Personality & Definite and indefinite nouns.
'Den/ Det/ De'
'Den' is used for masculine and feminine nouns, 'det' for neuter nouns and 'de' for plural nouns.
Examples
Swedish | Pronunciation | English |
---|---|---|
den här | /dɛn hɛ:r/ | this one (masculine) |
den där | /dɛn dɑ:r/ | that one (masculine) |
det här | /dɛt hɛ:r/ | this one (neuter) |
det där | /dɛt dɑ:r/ | that one (neuter) |
de här | /dɛ hɛ:r/ | these (plural) |
de där | /dɛ dɑ:r/ | those (plural) |
'Denna/ Detta/ Dessa'
'Denna' is used for masculine and feminine nouns, 'detta' for neuter nouns and 'dessa' for plural nouns.
Examples
Swedish | Pronunciation | English |
---|---|---|
denna här | /dɛna hɛ:r/ | this one (masculine) |
den här | /dɛn hɛ:r/ | this one (masculine) - less formal |
denna där | /dɛna dɑ:r/ | that one (masculine) |
den där | /dɛn dɑ:r/ | that one (masculine) - less formal |
detta här | /dɛta hɛ:r/ | this one (neuter) |
det här | /dɛt hɛ:r/ | this one (neuter) - less formal |
detta där | /dɛta dɑ:r/ | that one (neuter) |
det där | /dɛt dɑ:r/ | that one (neuter) - less formal |
dessa här | /dɛsa hɛ:r/ | these (plural) |
de här | /dɛ hɛ:r/ | these (plural) - less formal |
dessa där | /dɛsa dɑ:r/ | those (plural) |
de där | /dɛ dɑ:r/ | those (plural) - less formal |
It's important to note the difference in formal and informal use when choosing between 'den/ det/ de' and 'denna/ detta/ dessa'. For example, in formal situations, it's more appropriate to use 'denna' and 'detta' instead of 'den' and 'det'.
Remember to practice using demonstrative pronouns in various situations to get a better understanding of how to use them correctly.
Sources
- The Swedish Definite Form – Demonstrative Pronouns | Swedish ...
- Swedish grammar - Wikipedia
- Swedish Nouns, Articles, and Demonstratives - ielanguages.com
- Swedish demonstrative pronouns | Say it in Swedish