Demonstratives and welcher
Point to and select specific people or things.
The rule
Dieser and welcher take endings like der-words. Identify the noun’s gender, number and case before choosing the ending.
dieser/diese/dieses · welcher/welche/welches + case endings
Choose the noun's gender, number, and case before attaching the der-word ending.
dieser identifies a specific item; jener creates a distant contrast but is less common in speech.
welcher asks which one, and its ending follows the same pattern as dieser.
Core forms and structures
Use this table as a reference, then retrieve the forms without looking.
| Form | Function | German example | English |
|---|---|---|---|
| masc. nom. | dieser/welcher | dieser Bus | this bus |
| fem. nom./acc. | diese/welche | diese Tasche | this bag |
| neut. nom./acc. | dieses/welches | dieses Buch | this book |
| masc. acc. | diesen/welchen | diesen Bus | this bus |
| dative | diesem/dieser/diesen | mit diesem Bus | with this bus |
German examples with English meanings
Dieser Bus fährt zum Zentrum.
This bus goes to the centre.
Masculine nominative uses dieser.
Diese Tasche gefällt mir.
I like this bag.
Feminine nominative uses diese.
Dieses Hotel ist ruhig.
This hotel is quiet.
Neuter nominative uses dieses.
Ich nehme diesen Zug.
I am taking this train.
Masculine accusative uses diesen.
Welche Jacke möchtest du?
Which jacket would you like?
Feminine accusative uses welche.
Welches Zimmer ist frei?
Which room is available?
Mit welchem Bus fährst du?
Which bus are you taking?
Ich spreche mit dieser Frau.
I am speaking with this woman.
Welche gefallen dir?
Which ones do you like?
Diesen hier nehme ich.
I will take this one here.
Common mistakes
Incorrect: Welchen Zimmer ist frei?
Correct: Welches Zimmer ist frei?
Neuter nominative uses welches.
Incorrect: Mit welchen Bus fährst du?
Correct: Mit welchem Bus fährst du?
Mit takes masculine dative welchem.
Incorrect: Ich spreche mit diese Frau.
Correct: Ich spreche mit dieser Frau.
Feminine dative uses dieser.
Incorrect: Welches gefallen dir?
Correct: Welche gefallen dir?
A plural standalone form uses welche.
Incorrect: Dieser hier nehme ich.
Correct: Diesen hier nehme ich.
Standalone masculine accusative remains diesen.
Details and useful distinctions
Demonstratives can stand alone when the noun is clear, but their ending must still show its role.
Practise this grammar
Treat dieser and welcher as der-words: first identify case/gender/number, then attach the matching ending even when the noun is omitted.
Open Demonstratives and welcher exercises →
For source references and editorial level notes, see the grammar reference. You can report a correction if an explanation or example seems wrong.