Demonstrative articles (Demonstrativartikel) such as dieser, diese, dieses point to or emphasize specific nouns, functioning like "this" or "these" in English. Interrogative articles (Frageartikel) ask questions about noun identity: welcher/welche/welches (which one?) selects from specific options, while was für ein/eine (what kind of?) inquires about general type or characteristics. Both article types decline like definite articles, matching the noun's gender, number, and case.
Demonstrative articles (Demonstrativartikel) such as dieser, diese, dieses point to or emphasize specific nouns, functioning like "this" or "these" in English. Interrogative articles (Frageartikel) ask questions about noun identity: welcher/welche/welches (which one?) selects from specific options, while was für ein/eine (what kind of?) inquires about general type or characteristics. Both article types decline like definite articles, matching the noun's gender, number, and case.
Welcher (specific selection): Welches Auto kaufst du? Das rote oder das blaue?
Answer: Das rote Auto. (choosing from defined options)
Was für ein (general type): Was für ein Auto kaufst du?
Answer: Ein schnelles/kleines/elektrisches Auto. (describing characteristics)
Notice how welcher presupposes specific known options requiring selection, while was für ein asks open-ended questions about attributes or categories.
German has two interrogative articles, each used in a different context.
Use was für ein/eine to ask about the type or kind of something (open, unlimited options).
→ Answers describe general types: "Ein schnelles Auto," "Eine warme Jacke"
Use welcher/welche/welches to choose between specific, known options.
→ Answers point to specific items: "Der blaue Pullover," "Die große Tasche"
Use dieser/diese/dieses (this/these) to point to or emphasize a specific noun.
Used with masculine nouns
Used with feminine nouns
Used with neuter nouns
Welcher declines like the definite article across all genders and cases.
| Kasus | Singular | Plural | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| maskulin | feminin | neutral | alle | |
| Nominativ | welcher Wagen | welche Tasche | welches Haus | welche Schuhe |
| Akkusativ | welchen Wagen | welche Tasche | welches Haus | welche Schuhe |
| Dativ | welchem Wagen | welcher Tasche | welchem Haus | welchen Schuhen |
| Genitiv | welches Wagens | welcher Tasche | welches Hauses | welcher Schuhe |
Dieser follows the same declension pattern as welcher.
| Kasus | Singular | Plural | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| maskulin | feminin | neutral | alle | |
| Nominativ | dieser Stuhl | diese Lampe | dieses Fenster | diese Bücher |
| Akkusativ | diesen Stuhl | diese Lampe | dieses Fenster | diese Bücher |
| Dativ | diesem Stuhl | dieser Lampe | diesem Fenster | diesen Büchern |
| Genitiv | dieses Stuhls | dieser Lampe | dieses Fensters | dieser Bücher |
Understanding when to use each interrogative article is crucial for natural German communication.
Use when: Asking about type or characteristics (unlimited options)
Use when: Choosing between specific, defined options
Welcher asks for specific selection from known options (Welches Buch? Der Roman oder der Krimi?). Was für ein asks about general type or characteristics with unlimited possibilities (Was für ein Buch? Ein Thriller). Use welcher for "which one?" and was für ein for "what kind of?".
Dieser, welcher, and jener decline like definite articles (der, die, das) with identical endings for all cases and genders. Example: Nominativ masculine dieser, Akkusativ diesen, Dativ diesem, Genitiv dieses. They must agree with the noun's gender, case, and number.
Use dieser for emphasis or contrast when pointing to a specific noun, often meaning "this" or "this particular." Example: Dieser Mann (not der Mann) means "this man here" with stronger emphasis. Dieser also contrasts with jener (that one over there).