det
it, that, this · pronoun, adverb
- Definition
- A neuter pronoun used to refer to a thing, idea, or situation previously mentioned or understood. It can also function as a demonstrative pronoun, pointing to something specific, or as an expletive to fill a grammatical subject slot when the real subject is a clause. In some contexts, it can also function as an adverb meaning 'there' or 'then'.
- Inflections
- det, den, de, dette, det, disse, de, dem
- Origin
- From Old Norse 'þat', the neuter singular demonstrative pronoun and third-person pronoun, cognate with English 'that' and German 'das'.
Examples
| Hva er det? | What is that? |
| Jeg så det i går. | I saw it yesterday. |
| Det er vanskelig. | It is difficult. |
| Det snakker vi ikke om. | We don't talk about that. |
| Er det deg? | Is that you? |
| Det regner. | It is raining. |