derselbe
the same · same
Dieses Wort beschreibt eine Sache oder Person, die genau identisch ist und nicht nur eine Kopie.
The German word "derselbe" is a demonstrative pronoun meaning "the same (one)".
- It is composed of "der" (the masculine definite article "the") and "selbe" (which means "same").
- Together, "derselbe" specifically refers to exactly the same person or thing, not just a similar one.
Similar words:
- "gleich" — means "equal" or "similar"
- "derselbe" vs. "derselbe" can be declined by gender and case: derselbe (masc), dieselbe (fem), dasselbe (neut)
- "der gleiche" — means "the same kind of" or "the same type"
Difference:
- "derselbe" emphasizes identity: exactly the same object/person.
- "der gleiche" emphasizes similarity: a similar or identical kind, but not necessarily the exact same item.
Example:
- Ich habe denselben Mantel wie du. (I have the same coat as you — the exact one.)
- Ich habe den gleichen Mantel wie du. (I have a coat just like yours — identical in kind but different item.)
Make “derselbe” part of your vocabulary.
Build your German vocabulary with flashcards, audio and spaced repetition.
Examples
Wir haben denselben Lehrer.determiner
We have the same teacher.
Heute trägt sie denselben Mantel wie gestern.determiner
Today she is wearing the same coat as yesterday.
Obwohl sie sich lange nicht gesehen hatten, waren sie noch immer dieselben.pronoun
Although they had not seen each other for a long time, they were still the same.
Hast du wirklich demselben Mann die Wahrheit gesagt?determiner
Did you really tell the truth to the same man?
Keep exploring German
Learn words from the content you love.
Add words from websites, books and videos, then remember them with spaced repetition (SRS).
Scan for iPhone & iPad