pronoun
the same (one)
B1
derselbe means 'the same (one)'. Demonstrative pronoun/adjective indicating identical person or thing, stronger than 'gleich'. It agrees in gender, number and case and therefore is declined (derselbe, dieselbe, dasselbe, or with endings like desselben). Used before nouns or alone as pronoun.
Examples
Der Zeuge sagte, dass derselbe Mann gestern vor dem Haus stand, obwohl die Polizei zunächst eine andere Person verdächtigte.
The witness said that the same man stood in front of the house yesterday, although the police initially suspected another person.
Das ist derselbe Mantel wie gestern.
That's the same coat as yesterday.
Details
Mnemonics
imagine pointing at one identical hat and saying 'derselbe' to mean that exact one
like English 'the same' — 'derselbe' sounds like 'the same-buh'
Notes
Demonstrative pronoun used for identity (the very same). Declines like a determiner (derselbe, derselben, denselben etc.). Often confused with 'das gleiche' (the same type) vs 'derselbe' (the identical one).