Demonstrative articles (Demonstrativartikel) are used to emphasize a particular person or thing in the context. A Demonstrativartikel cannot stand alone; it must always be accompanied by a noun. Demonstrative articles are closely related to the definite articles (bestimmter Artikel). In today's article, we will learn about this type of article. 

1. Demonstrativartikel dies- and jene-

• Dies- and jene- both express a more precise identification. With dies-, the person or thing being referred to is close to the speaker in space or time. Usually, while speaking, the speaker can also point with their finger. With jene-, the person or thing being referred to is far from the speaker in time as well as in space: 

Dieses Kleid finde ich schön.

(I like this dress.)

Jenes Buch ist ziemlich langweilig.

(That book seems boring.) 

• Declension:

1. Demonstrativartikel derjenige- und derselbe-

• Used to identify more precisely a person or thing mentioned earlier, or to identify based on the similarity between certain persons or things.  

Trägst du dasselbe T-Shirt wie gestern? 

(You are wearing the same T-shirt as yesterday, aren't you?)

• Declension: 

- The declension of derjenige, diejenige, dasjenige is similar. These articles are used when there is additional information in the relative clause that follows: 

Das ist derjenige Mann, der gestern nach Ihnen gefragt hat. 

(This is the man who asked about you yesterday.)