Comparison table of words derived from three roots in modern

West Germanic languages

The relation of modern West Germanic languages to each other shows some closely related word-forms, as descended from the Proto-Germanic roots within the three main West Germanic languages:

English, Dutch, and

High German

Note: the Proto-Germanic roots given here are simplifications of three sets of related roots that were similar in form

DescriptionEnglish Dutch German

From *Se/*þe From *Hwa From *He From *Se/*þe From *Hwa From *He From *Se/*þe From *Hwa From *HeNominative Masc. the who he de wie hij, ie der wer er

Neuter that what it dat wat het das was esFem. she (who) ME/Dial hoo zij, ze (wie) sie, die (wer)Plural they (who) zij, ze (wie) sie, die (wer)

Demonstrative this dit, deze dies-Adverbial/Nominal so, thus while zo, dus wijl so WeileRelative such which each zulk welke elk solch- welch- MHG elch-Dual whether weder

Description English Dutch GermanDative Masc./Neuter whom him wien (obsolete) hem dem wem ihm

Fem. (whom) her (wie) haar der (wem) ihrPlural them (whom) 'em (wie) hen/hun den (wem) ihnen

Genitive Masc./Neut. whose his diens wiens des(sen) wessenFem./Plural their her dier wier haar der(en) ihr-

Locative there where here daar waar hier da, dar- wo, war- hierAllative thither whither hither der wer(waarts) her hin wohin herAblative thence whence hence (van) daan (von) dannen woherInstrumental why, how hoe wieTemporal/ Conjunctive I then when dan wanneer dann wann

II than (when) (dan) (wanneer) denn wenn

DescriptionFrom *Se/*þe From *Hwa From *He From *Se/*þe From *Hwa From *He From *Se/*þe From *Hwa From *He

English Dutch German

ME = Middle EnglishDial = West Midland EnglishMHG=Middle High German