To introduce someone or point something out, German uses das ist (this is, that is), and das does not change for a man, a woman or a thing: das ist mein Freund, das ist meine Freundin. For more than one, only the verb changes: das sind meine Nachbarn.
Examples
- Das ist Paul, ein Freund von mir.
- This is Paul, a friend of mine.
- Das ist meine Nachbarin.
- This is my neighbour.
- Das sind meine Katzen.
- These are my cats.
The mistake to avoid
Mein Freund and meine Freundin often mean boyfriend and girlfriend; to make clear it is just a friend, say ein Freund von mir or eine Freundin von mir.
Where this fits in
Family & people, German A1: Talk about your family, say what people are like and how old they are, and introduce your friends.