Let’s talk about the most efficient word in the German language. A word that our students ask us about in our German courses here in Melbourne all the time. I thought it’s time to share the answer with you.
The magic word I’m talking about is: da
Da, it’s only one syllable but it can cause so much confusion amongst German learners.
Certainly, da is the most efficient word in the German language, because you can use it in so many situations and in so many different ways. You can use it for just about anything.
Only this little word is needed to express all of these English words (and everything that’s similar): this, that, here, there, over there, near here, this one or that one.
I’d even say it’s the word Germans kids learn right after Mama and Papa.
Pointing at things
Most likely you are pointing at something when using da.
Das da ist ein Porsche. (= This (one) is a porsche.)
Das da ist ein Volkswagen. (= That (one) is a volkswagen.)
Das Eiscafé ist da. (= The ice cream shop is over there.)
Da kannst du Haie sehen. (= There, you can see sharks.)
Nein, es ist nicht da, es ist da. (= No, it’s not here, it’s there./No, it’s not there, it’s here.)
Da kommt die Bande. (= Here comes the gang.)
Der Vogel sitzt da oben auf dem Haus. (= The bird is sitting there, on top of the house.)
All these examples have something in common. They have to do with distance. Something that we point at is either close to us or it’s farther away. It’s either here or there. It’s also either this one here, or that one there.
Since Germans don’t seem to distinguish between this, that, here or there much, we tend to point at the thing we actually mean while using da. In fact, it’s necessary to understand what is meant. It’s the context that helps us understand. We’ve talked about how much Germans rely on context before, for example when (not) using the future tense.
Da without any context
If you don’t have any context though, da can turn into a challenge. I’ve had hilarious situations when out riding my bike with friends. The person guiding the way really shouldn’t use da that often when pointing isn’t an option (like sometimes in the heat of the moment on a bike).
Instead cardinal directions, street names and corners or simply, like in English, hier (here) and dort (there) will be more advantageous:
Da müssen wir dann rechts. Und da links, aber bevor wir dahin kommen, geht’s noch ein bisschen geradeaus.
We have to turn right over there (or here?). And left here (or there?), but before we make it there (where?), we must go straight ahead for a bit.
Da or dort?
Talking about dort. We use dort when we speak about something that is farther away. But, please note that in this case, you can use da and dort alternatively.
Ich will die Flasche da. (= I want this bottle.)
Ich will die Flasche da/dort. (= I want that bottle. )
When distance doesn’t matter in English
Since it doesn’t really matter if the object is very close to us or farther away, we can use da when distance is not a factor in English also.
Ist sie heute im Büro? -Nein, sie ist nicht da. (= Is she at the office today? – No, she’s not in.)
Ist es in der Kiste, die ich dir gegeben habe? -Nein, es ist nicht da. (= Is it in the box I gave you? – No, it’s not in there.)
Da opposed to das
It’s not only beginners who confuse da and das. The difference is quite simple though:
Da ist ein Auto. (= Here/there is a car.)
Here, we are pointing at a car. “Here (or there) is a car. Look at it. Bicycles look way better.”
Das ist ein Auto. (= This/that is a car.)
With this sentence, we explain to someone else that “This (or that) is a car. You know, it’s not a bike.”
Das da as well?
You can also use das and da together: das da. It’s the situation where you are pointing at something and ask
Meinst du das da? (= Do you mean this/that one?)
Ja, ich meine das da. (= Yes, I mean this/that one.)
It’s totally fine to use them together. Actually, you’ll catch Germans use it all the time. It’s a great idea to keep them together, especially if you want to say this or that one. Please also don’t forget to point or nod at what you mean. That’ll do.
Summary
Awesome. Let’s wrap it up.
- If distance doesn’t matter, Germans use da.
- If distance does matter, Germans use either, da (here/there) or dort (further away).
- Use das when explaining a word, a situation or
- Use das da when wanting to say this/that one.
- Always point or node at what you mean.
Let me know about your favourite sentences using DA. I’m sure there’s even more than I was able to cover in this post. Let me know in the comments, I’d love to hear about it.
Angelika Davey
Great post, all that’s missing is this song ☺
https://youtu.be/lNYcviXK4rg
Anja Mueller
Hahaha, how could I forget to include this song?! Made my day. :) Thank you Angelika.
Holger
Very nice and informative Blog. If you would like to know some funny and strange things about the Germans visit me on http://www.german-tutorial.com
Anja Mueller
Thank you, happy you like it. Nice blog btw. Keep up the good work. :)
Héctor
Crystal clear. Thank you!
Anja Mueller
Glad you like the post. Danke.
Nick
Very good and much explained – I know realise that Germans are not so concerned about conveying distance.
Sadly English has all but lost a great word to convey distance – yon. This (close by), That (not close), Yon (a good distance away).
Anja Mueller
Hallo Nick, Yon, what a beautiful word! The German word you could use would be dort, but sadly dort wouldn’t convey the subtle distinction you discribed. Thanks for putting it out there, though, I love the word!
germannative
You forgot that “da” can mean “because” too….
Ich habe mir diese Tasche gekauft, DA sie mir gefällt.
I bought that bag BECAUSE I liked it.
So it’s even more efficient than you thought….
Anja Mueller
Yeah, that’s right! How could I forget about because? Thanks for adding it here. Vielen Dank!
Jenny
Da kannst du mal seh’n!
Da haben wir den Salat.
Da geht nichts mehr.
Anja Mueller
Hallo Jenny, DA muss ich mich aber bedanken :) Deine Sätze finde ich toll. Danke schön! I’ll just add the translation:
Da kannst du mal seh’n! = See! (I told you, it’s gonna be awesome/not good./That’s how it works. Lit.: Here/there can you see)
Da haben wir den Salat. = When it hits the fan (Lit.: Here/there we have the salad).
Da geht nichts mehr. = That’s a dead end./SNAFU (Lit.: Here/There goes nothing any more).
Avraam Jack Dectis
Da was interesting.
Anja Mueller
Da muss ich dir Recht geben :)
Falk
It can also mean presence:
“Der Papa is da.”
“Dad is here.”
Anja Mueller
Hallo Falk, thank you so much for adding your sentence to our little collection :D Danke schön!
omid
how can i say “whose jacket is this” ? or whose belonging is this ?
Thanks
Anja
Hallo Omid, man kann sagen “Wessen Jacke ist das”/”Wem gehört die Jacke?” oder “Wessen Sachen sind das”/”Wem gehören die Sachen?”. Hoffe, es hilft!
Hyatt Carter
It would be appreciated if you could tell me what the expression “der da” means in the following quotation.
Wir sagen zwar nicht blos, der da wirket Alles in Allen, sondern der da ist Alles in Allem; aber Beides ist dasselbe. Denn wie könnte sein, was nicht wirkt, und wirken, was nicht ist; und was Alles wirken will, das ist, muß selber Alles sein, das wirkt.
The quotation is from Gustav Fechner, in his book Zend-Avesta (1851)
Thanks, Hyatt Carter
anja
Hallo Hyatt, “der da” in this context means “the person over there” or just “the other person”. Hope it helps and thank you for commenting! :)
Matt
Thanks for the article and the comments were super interesting. I was hoping to add one more. I read these sentences:
Ihre Schlüssel kann sie trotzdem nicht finden. Da erhält sie eine Nachricht auf ihr Handy: Ihre Schwester hat ihre Schlüssel gefunden.
Having a hard time interpreting the da used here…..
thanks for any insight.
Anja
Hi Matt, the ‘da’ in your sentence could be replaced by ‘auf einmal’/’plötzlich’/’während sie ihre Schlüssel sucht’. Hope this helps and thank you for joining in here! Anja
Peter
It’s perfectly explained, thanks to you!
Anja
Thanks, Peter! Glad you find it helpful.