UrsprungFrom Old Swedish þænni, from Old Norse þessi, sjá, (runic: ᛋᛅᛋᛁ = sāsi), from the demonstrative pronoun sá + an intensive suffix -si. The form denna is specifically from the Old Norse masculine accusative form þenna.
- common-genderthis, that (depending on context).
“Dessa skrifter är heliga!” — These writings are sacred.
“Varför detta ständiga gräl?” — Why this neverending fighting?
- common-genderthis one, this (if not followed by a noun, in neuter), that one, that (if not followed by a noun, in neuter) (depending on context).
“Vad är detta?” — What is this?
“Jag vill ha denna!” — I want this one!
Formerdetta(neuter) · denne(masculine) · dessa(plural)