German word

jene

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈjeːnə/

Meaning

  • pronounthose

Example

Ich kenne jene nicht.

I don't know those people.

Illustration for jene (those)

More examples

Nimm nicht jene hier, sondern diese.

Don't take that one here, but take this one.

Core concept

A person or object is marked as the one over there, not the one just mentioned or nearby.

Common phrases

  • nicht jene, sondern diese hier

    not those, but these here

  • jene dort drüben

    those over there

Similar words

diese: Points to a person or thing nearby, rather than one farther away.
die dort: Informally refers to a person or thing over there.
die da: Informally refers to a person or thing a little way off.

Definition in German

Bezeichnet etwas als weiter entfernt oder im Kontrast zu etwas Nahem und wird in Genus, Numerus und Kasus dekliniert.

Word origin

Jene is an inherited Germanic demonstrative form, with historical relatives including the English pointing words yon and yonder.

Usage tips

  • In Ich kenne jene nicht, jene can refer to one feminine object or to several objects, because the accusative forms are identical.

Other meanings

  • thatadjective

Opposites

Word lists with this word