A dependent demonstrative pronoun always precedes the noun (antecedent) it refers to.
Just like in English, we make a distinction between _this_ and _that_ (singular) and _these_ and _those_ (plural). The Dutch, however, add an extra distinction between [de-nouns and het-nouns](#/lesson/NounsAndArticles.05).
Recall that plural Dutch nouns are always de-nouns.
English | Dutch
this
this house is big | dit:: singular het-nouns
dit huis is groot
this
this bike is yellow | deze:: singular de-nouns
deze fiets is geel
these
these houses are big
these bikes are yellow | deze:: plural nouns
deze huizen zijn groot
deze fietsen zijn geel
that
that house is big | dat:: singular het-nouns
dat huis is groot
that
that bike is yellow | die:: singular de-nouns
die fiets is geel
those
those houses are big
those bikes are yellow | die:: plural nouns
die huizen zijn groot
die fietsen zijn geel
Examples
De-noun
[ De film]
Heb je deze film gezien? | [the movie]
Have you seen this movie?
[ De film]
Heb je die film gezien? | [the movie]
Have you seen that movie?
[ De films]
Heb je deze films gezien? | [the movies]
Have you seen these movies?
[ De films]
Heb je die films gezien? | [the movies]
Have you seen those movies?
Het-noun
[ Het boek]
Heb je dit boek gelezen? | [the book]
Have you read this book?
[ Het boek]
Heb je dat boek gelezen? | [the book]
Have you read that book?
[ De boeken]
Heb je deze boeken gelezen? | [the books]
Have you read these books?
[ De boeken]
Heb je die boeken gelezen? | [the book]
Have you read those books?