dasselbe
the same
Refers to exactly the same person or thing that has already been mentioned or is known from the context.
EXAMPLE
Wir haben dasselbe Buch gelesen.
We read the same book.
dasselbe
the same
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Meanings
ein und dasselbe
one and the same
Emphasizes that two names, things, or circumstances are completely identical.
EXAMPLE
Die beiden Namen bezeichnen ein und dasselbe.
The two names refer to one and the same thing.
Forms
The four cases
| masc. | fem. | neut. | plural | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| nom. | derselbe | dieselbe | dasselbe | dieselben |
| acc. | denselben | dieselbe | dasselbe | dieselben |
| dat. | demselben | derselben | demselben | denselben |
| gen. | desselben | derselben | desselben | derselben |
Usage tips
With and without a noun
'Dasselbe' (the same) can come before a noun or refer to a thing on its own. Without a noun, it must be clear from the context what is meant.
EXAMPLE
Heute trägt sie dasselbe Kleid wie gestern.
Today she is wearing the same dress as yesterday.
Du nimmst das Tagesgericht? Dann nehme ich dasselbe.
You're having the daily special? Then I'll have the same.
Comparison with wie
When you explicitly state what something is identical to, use the pattern 'dasselbe … wie' (the same … as). After 'wie' (as), you can also mention a person who has or is experiencing the same thing.
EXAMPLE
Ich habe dasselbe Problem wie du.
I have the same problem as you.
Typical collocations
The emphatic expression often occurs in phrases such as 'ein und dasselbe meinen' (to mean one and the same thing) or 'sich auf ein und dasselbe beziehen' (to refer to one and the same thing). You can use it, for example, to explain that different statements or terms refer to the same thing.
EXAMPLE
Wir benutzen verschiedene Begriffe, meinen aber ein und dasselbe.
We use different terms, but we mean one and the same thing.
In real life
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