Breakdown of Diese Bluse ist zu klein.
sein
to be
klein
small
dieser
this / that (fem.: diese, neut.: dieses)
zu
too (e.g., too big)
die Bluse
the blouse
Questions & Answers about Diese Bluse ist zu klein.
Why is it Diese and not Dieser or Dieses?
Because Bluse is a feminine noun (die Bluse). When we want to say 'this' in German, the base word dies- needs an ending that matches the gender of the noun. For feminine nouns in the subject position, we add -e to get Diese.
Could I just use Die instead of Diese to mean 'this blouse'?
Yes! In everyday spoken German, people often just use the definite article Die to mean 'this' or 'that'. Saying Die Bluse ist zu klein is very natural and means the exact same thing. Diese is just a bit stronger, like pointing your finger specifically at this particular blouse.
Why doesn't klein have a feminine ending like kleine to match the blouse?
Adjectives in German only get extra endings when they come directly in front of the noun (like if you said 'eine kleine Bluse'). Because klein comes after the verb ist, it stays in its basic, unchanged dictionary form.
I remember learning that zu means 'to'. How do I know when it means 'too'?
It depends on what comes right after it! When zu is placed directly before a describing word (an adjective) like klein (small) or groß (big), it always translates to 'too'. When it is used with places or directions, it usually means 'to'.
Learn Diese Bluse ist zu klein and more in German
All course content and exercises are completely free — no paywalls, no trial periods, no signup needed.
- ✓ Practice with interactive exercises
- ✓ Track your progress with spaced repetition
- ✓Learn at your own pace — completely free