selbe
/ˈzɛlbə/
same
Das ist das selbe Buch, das ich letzte Woche gelesen habe.
This is the same book that I read last week.
formalinformal
Used to refer to an identical thing or person already mentioned or understood.
Sie trägt heute das selbe Kleid wie gestern.
She is wearing the same dress today as yesterday.
Often used with 'das' (neuter) or 'die' (feminine) to specify the same object or person.
Pro Tip
Avoid confusion with 'gleich'
'Selbe' refers to exact identity, while 'gleich' can mean 'equal' or 'similar'.
Word Origin
From Middle High German 'selbe', meaning 'same'.
Usage Notes
'Selbe' is a determiner and is always used with a definite article ('das selbe', 'die selbe'). It emphasizes identity rather than similarity.
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