pronoun
the same (thing), the very same
B1
A demonstrative pronoun meaning 'the same (thing)' or 'the very same', emphasizing identicalness (not merely similar). Contrast with 'das Gleiche' (same kind). It declines like demonstrative adjectives (derselbe/dieselbe/dasselbe, dieselben). Not reflexive; common in spoken and written German to denote exact identity.
Examples
Wir haben dasselbe Buch.
We have the same book.
Die Schülerinnen trugen dasselbe Kleid, obwohl keine von ihnen das vorher geplant hatte.
The female students wore the same dress, although none of them had planned it beforehand.
Er trägt dasselbe Hemd wie gestern — wirklich dasselbe!
He's wearing the very same shirt as yesterday — literally the same one!
Details
Mnemonics
Imagine two identical objects on a table with a single label: 'dasselbe' — pointing at the one item that is the same.
Sounds like 'that + same' — 'das' + 'selbe' so think 'that same thing'.
Notes
A demonstrative pronoun used to indicate identity of an item already mentioned. It agrees in meaning with English 'the same' but is used as a pronoun rather than an adjective when standing alone.