Die vs sie, and another question (German) (Specific Languages) Language Learning Forum

Die vs sie, and another question (German)
Tags: Syntax \| German
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Language Learning Forum : Specific Languages

11 messages over 2 pages: 1 2

pushkin
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Message 9 of 11

06 April 2014 at 9:25am | IP Logged

I wonder if the subject pronouns der/die/das are rather used with animals or things.

The sentence "Die kann allein nicht mehr runter ( gehen )" comes from The Assimil German
with Ease, the subject is a cat. The previous one is :"Dort oben sitzt eine kleine Katze
auf dem Garagendach".

In the same course there is also this sentence " Sagen Sie mir, kennt Ihre Tante ihn
schon lange ? Isn't the correct form rather "... , kennt ihn Ihre Tante schon lange" ?

Edited by pushkin on 06 April 2014 at 11:42am
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Josquin
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Message 10 of 11

06 April 2014 at 12:42pm | IP Logged

Using "der/die/das" for persons can be a bit impolite, so you should rather not use it in formal situations. In casual language, however, it's absolutely usual to refer to persons this way.

Quote:

In the same course there is also this sentence " Sagen Sie mir, kennt Ihre Tante ihn schon lange? Isn't the correct form rather "... , kennt ihn Ihre Tante schon lange" ?

Both sentences are possible, but I think the first version is more common. I have no idea why, though.

Edited by Josquin on 06 April 2014 at 12:46pm
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Astrophel
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Message 11 of 11

20 April 2014 at 5:47am | IP Logged

Doitsujin wrote:

die da

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QG-zPgyQDD8

Sorry, I had to!

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