How to Say “That” in German: A Comprehensive Guide

Mastering the nuances of translating “that” into German is crucial for achieving fluency and accuracy in the language. The English word “that” can have various meanings and functions, requiring different German equivalents to convey the intended meaning correctly.

This article provides a detailed exploration of the different ways to say “that” in German, covering demonstrative pronouns, relative pronouns, conjunctions, and more. Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced learner, this guide will equip you with the knowledge and practice needed to confidently use the appropriate German translation of “that” in any context.

Table of Contents

• Introduction
• Definition of “That” and Its German Equivalents
• Structural Breakdown
• Types and Categories of “That” in German
  • Demonstrative Pronouns
  • Relative Pronouns
  • Conjunctions
  • Adverbs
• Examples of “That” in German
  • Demonstrative Pronoun Examples
  • Relative Pronoun Examples
  • Conjunction Examples
  • Adverb Examples
• Usage Rules
• Common Mistakes
• Practice Exercises
• Advanced Topics
• FAQ
• Conclusion

Definition of “That” and Its German Equivalents

The English word “that” is a versatile word that can function as a demonstrative pronoun, a relative pronoun, or a conjunction. Understanding its role in a sentence is crucial to choosing the correct German translation. In German, the equivalent of “that” depends heavily on its grammatical function in the sentence. The main German equivalents are: der/die/das (as relative pronouns), dass (as a conjunction), dieser/diese/dieses (as demonstrative pronouns), and so (as an adverb). Each of these has specific uses and grammatical rules that govern its usage.

As a demonstrative pronoun, “that” points to a specific noun or noun phrase. In German, this function is primarily fulfilled by dieser, diese, and dieses (this/that), as well as jener, jene, and jenes (that/those), although jener is less common in everyday speech. The choice depends on the gender, number, and case of the noun being referred to.

As a relative pronoun, “that” introduces a relative clause, providing additional information about a noun in the main clause. In German, relative pronouns are der, die, and das (who/which/that), and their forms change according to the gender, number, and case of the noun they refer to within the relative clause.

As a conjunction, “that” introduces a subordinate clause, often expressing a statement, belief, or reason. In German, the conjunction “that” is translated as dass. It connects two clauses, with the clause introduced by dass typically providing more information or detail.

As an adverb, “that” can modify adverbs or adjectives to intensify their meaning. In German, the equivalent is often so, which can express a similar degree of intensity. However, the specific translation may also depend on the context and the specific adjective or adverb being modified.

Structural Breakdown

The correct translation of “that” depends on its structural role within the English sentence. Let’s examine the structural breakdown of each case and its corresponding German translation:

• Demonstrative Pronoun: “That” is used to point out a specific noun. The German equivalents (dieser/diese/dieses or jener/jene/jenes) must agree in gender, number, and case with the noun they replace. For example: “That car is expensive.” – “Dieses Auto ist teuer.” (Dieses agrees with the neuter noun Auto).
• Relative Pronoun: “That” introduces a relative clause. The German equivalents (der/die/das) also agree in gender and number with the noun they refer to, but their case is determined by their function within the relative clause itself. For example: “The book that I read was interesting.” – “Das Buch, das ich gelesen habe, war interessant.” (Das refers to Buch and is in the accusative case because it’s the object of gelesen habe).
• Conjunction: “That” introduces a subordinate clause. The German equivalent, dass, simply connects the main clause with the subordinate clause, without needing to agree with any particular noun. For example: “I know that he is coming.” – “Ich weiß, dass er kommt.”
• Adverb: “That” modifies an adjective or adverb, indicating degree. The German equivalent, often so, is placed before the adjective or adverb it modifies. For example: “I’m not that tired.” – “Ich bin nicht so müde.”

Understanding these structural roles is key to choosing the correct German translation of “that.” Each role requires a different grammatical form, and using the wrong form can lead to confusion or grammatical errors. Paying attention to the function of “that” in the English sentence will guide you to the appropriate German equivalent.

Types and Categories of “That” in German

To effectively translate “that” into German, it’s essential to understand its different functions and the corresponding German equivalents. Here’s a breakdown of the main types and categories:

Demonstrative Pronouns

Demonstrative pronouns are used to point out specific nouns. In German, the primary demonstrative pronouns that can translate “that” are dieser, diese, dieses (this/that) and, less commonly, jener, jene, jenes (that/those). The choice depends on the gender, number, and case of the noun being referred to. Dieser is generally used for things closer in proximity or time, while jener is used for things further away, but dieser is more common in modern usage.

For example:

• Dieser Mann ist mein Bruder. (That man is my brother.)
• Diese Frau ist meine Mutter. (That woman is my mother.)
• Dieses Kind ist mein Neffe. (That child is my nephew.)
• Jene Berge sind hoch. (Those mountains are high.) – less common

Relative Pronouns

Relative pronouns introduce relative clauses, which provide additional information about a noun in the main clause. The German relative pronouns that translate “that” are der, die, and das (who/which/that). Their forms change according to the gender and number of the noun they refer to, as well as their case within the relative clause. The genitive forms dessen and deren are also used, but less frequently.

For example:

• Das Buch, das ich lese, ist spannend. (The book that I’m reading is exciting.)
• Der Mann, der dort steht, ist mein Vater. (The man that is standing there is my father.)
• Die Frau, die ich gesehen habe, war sehr freundlich. (The woman that I saw was very friendly.)

Conjunctions

Conjunctions connect two clauses. The German conjunction that translates “that” is dass. It introduces a subordinate clause, which often expresses a statement, belief, or reason. The word order in the subordinate clause changes, with the conjugated verb moving to the end of the clause.

For example:

• Ich denke, dass er Recht hat. (I think that he is right.)
• Sie sagt, dass sie müde ist. (She says that she is tired.)
• Es ist wichtig, dass du pünktlich bist. (It is important that you are on time.)

Adverbs

When “that” modifies an adjective or adverb to indicate degree, the German equivalent is often so. It expresses a similar degree of intensity. The specific translation may depend on the context and the specific adjective or adverb being modified.

For example:

• Ich bin nicht so müde. (I am not that tired.)
• Das ist nicht so einfach. (That is not that easy.)
• Er ist nicht so intelligent, wie er denkt. (He is not that intelligent as he thinks.)

Examples of “That” in German

To solidify your understanding, let’s explore a variety of examples, categorized by the function of “that” and its corresponding German translation.

Demonstrative Pronoun Examples

These examples illustrate the use of dieser, diese, and dieses to translate “that” as a demonstrative pronoun, emphasizing agreement in gender, number, and case.

The table below provides multiple examples of sentences using “that” as a demonstrative pronoun, along with their German translations.

English Sentence	German Translation
That car is very expensive.	Dieses Auto ist sehr teuer.
That house is beautiful.	Dieses Haus ist wunderschön.
That woman is my sister.	Diese Frau ist meine Schwester.
That man is a doctor.	Dieser Mann ist ein Arzt.
That book is interesting.	Dieses Buch ist interessant.
That chair is broken.	Dieser Stuhl ist kaputt.
That table is made of wood.	Dieser Tisch ist aus Holz.
That city is very large.	Diese Stadt ist sehr groß.
That country is beautiful.	Dieses Land ist wunderschön.
That problem is difficult.	Dieses Problem ist schwierig.
That question is important.	Diese Frage ist wichtig.
That answer is correct.	Diese Antwort ist richtig.
That idea is interesting.	Diese Idee ist interessant.
That song is popular.	Dieses Lied ist beliebt.
That movie is exciting.	Dieser Film ist spannend.
That restaurant is famous.	Dieses Restaurant ist berühmt.
That day was wonderful.	Dieser Tag war wunderbar.
That night was long.	Diese Nacht war lang.
That feeling is strange.	Dieses Gefühl ist seltsam.
That moment was special.	Dieser Moment war besonders.
That exercise is useful.	Diese Übung ist nützlich.
That lesson is informative.	Diese Lektion ist informativ.
That experience was unforgettable.	Diese Erfahrung war unvergesslich.
That opportunity is rare.	Diese Gelegenheit ist selten.
That challenge is exciting.	Diese Herausforderung ist spannend.
That project is important.	Dieses Projekt ist wichtig.
That situation is complicated.	Diese Situation ist kompliziert.
That decision was difficult.	Diese Entscheidung war schwierig.
That result is surprising.	Dieses Ergebnis ist überraschend.

Relative Pronoun Examples

These examples demonstrate the use of der, die, and das to translate “that” as a relative pronoun, linking a relative clause to a noun in the main clause.

The following table provides examples of using “that” as a relative pronoun and its German equivalent.

English Sentence	German Translation
The book that I read was very interesting.	Das Buch, das ich gelesen habe, war sehr interessant.
The man that I saw was very tall.	Der Mann, den ich gesehen habe, war sehr groß.
The woman that I met was very kind.	Die Frau, die ich getroffen habe, war sehr freundlich.
The car that I bought is very fast.	Das Auto, das ich gekauft habe, ist sehr schnell.
The house that I live in is very old.	Das Haus, in dem ich wohne, ist sehr alt.
The movie that I watched was very funny.	Der Film, den ich gesehen habe, war sehr lustig.
The song that I heard was very beautiful.	Das Lied, das ich gehört habe, war sehr schön.
The city that I visited was very crowded.	Die Stadt, die ich besucht habe, war sehr voll.
The country that I want to visit is very far.	Das Land, das ich besuchen möchte, ist sehr weit entfernt.
The problem that I have is very difficult.	Das Problem, das ich habe, ist sehr schwierig.
The question that I asked was very important.	Die Frage, die ich gestellt habe, war sehr wichtig.
The answer that I received was very helpful.	Die Antwort, die ich erhalten habe, war sehr hilfreich.
The idea that I had was very innovative.	Die Idee, die ich hatte, war sehr innovativ.
The lesson that I learned was very valuable.	Die Lektion, die ich gelernt habe, war sehr wertvoll.
The experience that I had was very memorable.	Die Erfahrung, die ich gemacht habe, war sehr unvergesslich.
The opportunity that I missed was very unfortunate.	Die Gelegenheit, die ich verpasst habe, war sehr bedauerlich.
The challenge that I faced was very rewarding.	Die Herausforderung, der ich mich gestellt habe, war sehr lohnend.
The project that I worked on was very successful.	Das Projekt, an dem ich gearbeitet habe, war sehr erfolgreich.
The situation that I was in was very complicated.	Die Situation, in der ich war, war sehr kompliziert.
The decision that I made was very difficult.	Die Entscheidung, die ich getroffen habe, war sehr schwierig.
The result that I achieved was very satisfying.	Das Ergebnis, das ich erzielt habe, war sehr zufriedenstellend.
The cake that she baked was delicious.	Der Kuchen, den sie gebacken hat, war köstlich.
The flowers that he gave me were beautiful.	Die Blumen, die er mir gegeben hat, waren wunderschön.
The movie theater that we went to was crowded.	Das Kino, in das wir gegangen sind, war voll.
The restaurant that we ate at was expensive.	Das Restaurant, in dem wir gegessen haben, war teuer.
The park that we walked in was peaceful.	Der Park, in dem wir spazieren gegangen sind, war friedlich.
The museum that we visited was interesting.	Das Museum, das wir besucht haben, war interessant.

Conjunction Examples

These examples illustrate the use of dass to translate “that” as a conjunction, connecting a main clause with a subordinate clause.

The subsequent table showcases sentences where “that” functions as a conjunction, along with their German translations.

English Sentence	German Translation
I think that it will rain tomorrow.	Ich denke, dass es morgen regnen wird.
She said that she is tired.	Sie sagte, dass sie müde ist.
He believes that he is right.	Er glaubt, dass er Recht hat.
We know that you are coming.	Wir wissen, dass du kommst.
They hope that they will win.	Sie hoffen, dass sie gewinnen werden.
It is important that you are on time.	Es ist wichtig, dass du pünktlich bist.
It is necessary that you understand the rules.	Es ist notwendig, dass du die Regeln verstehst.
I am happy that you are here.	Ich bin froh, dass du hier bist.
I am sorry that I am late.	Es tut mir leid, dass ich zu spät bin.
She explained that she was busy.	Sie erklärte, dass sie beschäftigt war.
He admitted that he was wrong.	Er gab zu, dass er falsch lag.
We assumed that they were coming.	Wir nahmen an, dass sie kommen würden.
They suspected that something was wrong.	Sie vermuteten, dass etwas nicht stimmte.
I noticed that he was nervous.	Ich bemerkte, dass er nervös war.
She realized that she had made a mistake.	Sie erkannte, dass sie einen Fehler gemacht hatte.
He remembered that he had forgotten something.	Er erinnerte sich, dass er etwas vergessen hatte.
We learned that the earth is round.	Wir lernten, dass die Erde rund ist.
They proved that the theorem was correct.	Sie bewiesen, dass der Satz richtig war.
I confirmed that the reservation was made.	Ich bestätigte, dass die Reservierung vorgenommen wurde.
She denied that she had stolen anything.	Sie bestritt, dass sie etwas gestohlen hatte.
He insisted that he was innocent.	Er bestand darauf, dass er unschuldig war.
We argued that the law was unfair.	Wir argumentierten, dass das Gesetz ungerecht war.
They complained that the service was slow.	Sie beschwerten sich, dass der Service langsam war.
I suggested that we go to the beach.	Ich schlug vor, dass wir zum Strand gehen.
She recommended that I read the book.	Sie empfahl, dass ich das Buch lese.
He requested that we arrive early.	Er bat darum, dass wir früh ankommen.

Adverb Examples

These examples show the use of so to translate “that” as an adverb, modifying adjectives or adverbs to indicate degree.

Here’s a table with examples of “that” functioning as an adverb and its equivalent in German.

English Sentence	German Translation
I’m not that tired.	Ich bin nicht so müde.
It’s not that difficult.	Es ist nicht so schwierig.
He’s not that smart.	Er ist nicht so klug.
She’s not that tall.	Sie ist nicht so groß.
They’re not that rich.	Sie sind nicht so reich.
The movie wasn’t that good.	Der Film war nicht so gut.
The food wasn’t that tasty.	Das Essen war nicht so lecker.
The weather isn’t that bad.	Das Wetter ist nicht so schlecht.
The price isn’t that high.	Der Preis ist nicht so hoch.
It doesn’t hurt that much.	Es tut nicht so weh.
I don’t care that much.	Es ist mir nicht so wichtig.
He doesn’t like it that much.	Es gefällt ihm nicht so gut.
She doesn’t want it that badly.	Sie will es nicht so sehr.
They’re not that interested.	Sie sind nicht so interessiert.
We’re not that surprised.	Wir sind nicht so überrascht.
It’s not that important.	Es ist nicht so wichtig.
It’s not that urgent.	Es ist nicht so dringend.
It’s not that complicated.	Es ist nicht so kompliziert.
It’s not that difficult to understand.	Es ist nicht so schwer zu verstehen.
I didn’t expect that many people.	Ich habe nicht so viele Leute erwartet.
I’m not that fond of coffee.	Ich mag Kaffee nicht so gern.
She’s not that eager to go.	Sie ist nicht so scharf darauf, zu gehen.
He’s not that keen on sports.	Er ist nicht so begeistert von Sport.
They’re not that impressed with the show.	Sie sind nicht so beeindruckt von der Show.
The problem isn’t that serious.	Das Problem ist nicht so ernst.

Usage Rules

Understanding the grammatical rules governing the use of dieser/diese/dieses, der/die/das, and dass is crucial for accurate translation. Here are some key rules:

• Demonstrative Pronouns (dieser/diese/dieses): These must agree in gender, number, and case with the noun they replace. For example, dieses is used for neuter nouns in the nominative or accusative case.
• Relative Pronouns (der/die/das): These agree in gender and number with the noun they refer to in the main clause but take their case from their function within the relative clause. This can be confusing, so careful analysis of the relative clause is necessary.
• Conjunction (dass): This conjunction simply introduces a subordinate clause. It does not change its form and does not need to agree with any noun. However, remember that the verb in the subordinate clause moves to the end.
• Adverb (so): This adverb is used to modify adjectives or adverbs, indicating degree. It is placed before the word it modifies.

Also, remember that German has four cases (nominative, accusative, dative, and genitive), and the forms of der/die/das and dieser/diese/dieses change depending on the case. Mastering these case endings is essential for correct usage.

Common Mistakes

One common mistake is using dass when a relative pronoun (der/die/das) is required. For example, saying “Das Buch, dass ich gelesen habe…” is incorrect; it should be “Das Buch, das ich gelesen habe…“. Another mistake is failing to correctly decline the demonstrative or relative pronouns according to gender, number, and case. Using the wrong case ending can completely change the meaning of the sentence. Finally, forgetting to move the verb to the end of the clause when using dass is a frequent error.

Here are some examples of common mistakes and their corrections:

Incorrect	Correct	Explanation
Das Buch, dass ich gelesen habe, war gut.	Das Buch, das ich gelesen habe, war gut.	“That” is a relative pronoun, so “das” is needed, not “dass.”
Dieser Frau ist mein Mutter.	Diese Frau ist meine Mutter.	“Frau” is feminine, so the correct form of the demonstrative pronoun is “diese.”
Ich denke dass er kommt.	Ich denke, dass er kommt.	Missing comma before “dass.”
Ich weiß, dass er hat das gemacht.	Ich weiß, dass er das gemacht hat.	The verb should be at the end of the subordinate clause.

Practice Exercises

Test your understanding with these practice exercises. Translate the following sentences into German, paying attention to the function of “that” in each sentence.

Exercise 1: Demonstrative Pronouns

The following exercise consists of filling in the blanks with the correct demonstrative pronoun in German.

English Sentence	German Translation
That car is mine.	______ Auto gehört mir.
That woman is my teacher.	______ Frau ist meine Lehrerin.
That house is very big.	______ Haus ist sehr groß.
That man is my father.	______ Mann ist mein Vater.
That book is interesting.	______ Buch ist interessant.
That city is beautiful.	______ Stadt ist schön.
That country is far away.	______ Land ist weit weg.
That problem is difficult.	______ Problem ist schwierig.
That question is important.	______ Frage ist wichtig.
That answer is correct.	______ Antwort ist richtig.

Exercise 2: Relative Pronouns

In this exercise, fill in the blanks with the correct relative pronoun in German.

English Sentence	German Translation
The book that I am reading is exciting.	Das Buch, ______ ich lese, ist spannend.
The man that I saw was very tall.	Der Mann, ______ ich gesehen habe, war sehr groß.
The woman that I met was friendly.	Die Frau, ______ ich getroffen habe, war freundlich.
The car that I bought is expensive.	Das Auto, ______ ich gekauft habe, ist teuer.
The house that I live in is old.	Das Haus, in ______ ich wohne, ist alt.
The movie that I watched was boring.	Der Film, ______ ich gesehen habe, war langweilig.
The song that I heard was beautiful.	Das Lied, ______ ich gehört habe, war schön.
The city that I visited was crowded.	Die Stadt, ______ ich besucht habe, war voll.
The country that I want to visit is exotic.	Das Land, ______ ich besuchen möchte, ist exotisch.
The problem that I have is complicated.	Das Problem, ______ ich habe, ist kompliziert.

Exercise 3: Conjunctions

Complete the following sentences by translating “that” using the correct conjunction in German.

English Sentence	German Translation
I think that it will rain.	Ich denke, ______ es regnen wird.
She says that she is tired.	Sie sagt, ______ sie müde ist.
He believes that he is right.	Er glaubt, ______ er Recht hat.
We know that you are coming.	Wir wissen, ______ du kommst.
They hope that they will win.	Sie hoffen, ______ sie gewinnen werden.
It is important that you are on time.	Es ist wichtig, ______ du pünktlich bist.
I am happy that you are here.	Ich bin froh, ______ du hier bist.
I am sorry that I am late.	Es tut mir leid, ______ ich zu spät bin.
She explained that she was busy.	Sie erklärte, ______ sie beschäftigt war.
He admitted that he was wrong.	Er gab zu, ______ er falsch lag.

Exercise 4: Adverbs

Translate the following sentences using the correct adverb to represent “that” in German.

English Sentence	German Translation
I am not that tired.	Ich bin nicht ______ mü de.
It is not that difficult.	Es ist nicht ______ schwierig.
He is not that intelligent.	Er ist nicht ______ intelligent.
She is not that tall.	Sie ist nicht ______ groß.
They are not that rich.	Sie sind nicht ______ reich.
The movie was not that good.	Der Film war nicht ______ gut.
The food was not that tasty.	Das Essen war nicht ______ lecker.
The weather is not that bad.	Das Wetter ist nicht ______ schlecht.
The price is not that high.	Der Preis ist nicht ______ hoch.
It does not hurt that much.	Es tut nicht ______ weh.

Advanced Topics

For advanced learners, exploring more complex sentence structures and idiomatic expressions involving “that” can further refine your understanding. For instance, consider sentences where “that” is implied but not explicitly stated, and how those are translated into German.

Also, delve into regional variations in usage and the nuances of formal versus informal language.

Another advanced topic is the use of “damit” as an alternative to “dass” in certain contexts, particularly when expressing purpose or intention. Understanding when to use “damit” instead of “dass” can add sophistication to your German.

FAQ

Conclusion

Mastering the translation of “that” into German requires a solid understanding of its various functions and corresponding German equivalents. By recognizing whether “that” functions as a demonstrative pronoun, relative pronoun, conjunction, or adverb, you can choose the appropriate German translation and apply the correct grammatical rules.

Consistent practice and attention to detail will enable you to confidently and accurately use “that” in German, enhancing your overall fluency and comprehension.