Learn Hardcore Dutch: Anna en Tom dragen dezelfde jas.

hij/zij/het draagt (he/she/it wears)
wij/jullie/zij dragen (we/you/they wear)
Since Anna en Tom = zij, you need the 3rd person plural dragen.

Why does dezelfde replace the article de? Why can’t I say de dezelfde jas?

dezelfde is a demonstrative adjective meaning the same. It already contains the definite article (“de/het”) and therefore you never add another de or het in front of it. Think of dezelfde as one word that behaves like an adjective and always carries its own article.

What’s the difference between dezelfde and hetzelfde?

Dutch nouns are divided into “de-words” and “het-words.”

Use dezelfde with nouns that take de (e.g. de jas → dezelfde jas).
Use hetzelfde with nouns that take het (e.g. het huis → hetzelfde huis).

How do dezelfde, eenzelfde, and gelijk(e) differ in meaning?

• dezelfde = exactly the same individual item
– Anna en Tom dragen dezelfde jas. (They share the one identical coat.)
• eenzelfde = the same kind or type, but not necessarily the same physical object
– Anna en Tom dragen eenzelfde jas. (They each wear a coat of the same model.)
• gelijk(e) = similar or alike, focusing on resemblance rather than identity
– Anna en Tom dragen gelijke jassen. (They wear similar coats, not necessarily the very same one.)

What’s the usual word order in a Dutch main clause, and can I front dezelfde jas for emphasis?

Dutch is a V2-language: the finite verb must appear as the 2nd element. In a neutral sentence without fronting you get:
Subject – Verb – Object
Anna en Tom – dragen – dezelfde jas.
If you front dezelfde jas for emphasis, the verb still stays second:
Dezelfde jas – dragen – Anna en Tom.
This construction is grammatical but marked (used to stress “that very same coat”).

How do I turn “Anna en Tom dragen dezelfde jas” into a yes/no question?

Invert the subject and the finite verb:
Dragen Anna en Tom dezelfde jas?
Possible answer:
Ja, dat doen ze. (Yes, they do.)

Why can’t I say “Anna en Tom hebben dezelfde jas” to mean they are wearing it?

hebben alone expresses possession (to have something). To talk about clothing you can use:
• dragen (to wear) → Anna en Tom dragen dezelfde jas.
• aanhebben (to have on at the moment) → Anna en Tom hebben dezelfde jas aan.

Does dragen only mean “to wear”?

No. dragen also means “to carry,” “to bear (weight),” or even “to give birth” in certain contexts. When referring to clothing, it means “to wear.” Examples:
• hij draagt een rugzak (he carries a backpack)
• de jurk draagt lekker (the dress feels comfortable to wear)
• de boom draagt fruit (the tree bears fruit)