Este vs Ese vs Aquel in Real Contexts
Use este for what is near you, the speaker, ese for what is near the listener or a little way off, and aquel for what is far from both, in space or in time.
The rule at a glance
este near me · ese near you · aquel far from both
Works for space and for time; English has two (this, that), Spanish has three
Near me
este libro
this book (I'm holding it)
Esta semana tengo mucho trabajo.
This week I have a lot of work.
Near you
ese libro
that book (near you, or on the table)
¿Me pasas ese vaso?
Can you pass me that glass?
Far from both
aquel libro
that book over there (on the far shelf)
En aquellos tiempos no había internet.
In those days there was no internet.
- Ese is the everyday "that": use aquel only for things clearly far away or long ago.
Forms
An extension to demonstratives. The demonstratives agree with the noun in gender and number; without a noun they mean "this one", "that one".
| Near me | Near you | Far from both | |
|---|---|---|---|
| masculine singular | este | ese | aquel |
| feminine singular | esta | esa | aquella |
| masculine plural | estos | esos | aquellos |
| feminine plural | estas | esas | aquellas |
When to use it
1. Este: close to you, the speaker
Something you are holding or wearing, or the time you are in now.
Este teléfono que tengo en la mano es nuevo – This phone in my hand is new
Esta camisa me queda bien – This shirt fits me well (I'm wearing it)
Esta semana tengo mucho trabajo – This week I have a lot of work (the current week)
Este año he aprendido mucho – This year I've learnt a lot
2. Ese: close to the listener, or a little way off
The everyday "that": the usual choice when you're not holding something.
Ese bolígrafo que tienes, ¿funciona? That pen you have, does it work?
¿Me pasas ese vaso? Can you pass me that glass?
Esa tienda tiene buenos precios – That shop has good prices (a little way off)
Esa semana fue horrible – That week was horrible (recent past)
3. Aquel: far from both of you, or long ago
Aquel coche al final de la calle es de mi padre – That car at the end of the street is my father's
¿Ves aquella iglesia? Ahí nos casamos – Do you see that church over there? That's where we got married
Aquel verano de 1985 fue inolvidable – That summer of 1985 was unforgettable
En aquellos tiempos no había internet – In those days there was no internet
4. All three in one conversation
¿Ves ese restaurante? Do you see that restaurant?
¿Cuál? ¿Este de aquí al lado? Which one? This one right next to us?
No, aquel del otro lado de la plaza – No, that one on the other side of the square
Common mistakes
Not this (incorrect): Este libro que tú tienes
But this (correct): Ese libro que tú tienes – That book you have. Use ese for things near the listener, even if they're holding it.
Not this (incorrect): Esto libro es interesante
But this (correct): Este libro es interesante – This book is interesting. Esto never goes before a noun: use este, esta, estos or estas. Esto alone means "this (thing)".
Not this (incorrect): Este mesa es bonita
But this (correct): Esta mesa es bonita – This table is pretty. Mesa is feminine: demonstratives agree in gender.
Quick check
5 questions1. You're holding a phone. 'This phone is new':
It is in your hand, so este.
2. Your friend has a pen. 'Does that pen work?'
Near the listener: ese.
3. Pointing at a church far from you both: 'Do you see that church?'
Far from both people: aquella (iglesia is feminine).
4. 'In those days there was no internet' (long ago):
The distant past takes aquel, and tiempos is masculine plural: en aquellos tiempos.
5. 'Last week I was ill':
For last week just use the article: la semana pasada.
Going further
Time, fixed expressions, conversations and more examples
Distance in time
Esta semana is the current week, esa semana a week already mentioned, not long ago, and aquella semana a week long ago. In stories, aquel adds a sense of distance or nostalgia.
En este momento estoy ocupado – At this moment I'm busy (right now)
En ese momento no sabía qué hacer – At that moment I didn't know what to do
Ese verano aprendí a nadar – That summer I learnt to swim
Aquella época fue muy difícil para nosotros – That era was very difficult for us
Aquellos días felices... Those happy days (of long ago)...
Fixed expressions
| Expression | Meaning |
|---|---|
| En este momento | At this moment, right now |
| Esta noche | Tonight |
| Este fin de semana | This weekend |
| Por esta razón | For this reason |
| De esta manera | In this way, like this |
| A estas alturas | At this point, by now |
| Por eso | That's why, for that reason |
| Eso es | That's it, exactly |
| A pesar de eso | Despite that |
| ¿Y eso? | And why is that? How come? |
| Ni por esas | Not even then, no way |
| En esos días | In those days (recent) |
| En aquellos tiempos | In those times (long ago) |
| Aquellos días | Those days (distant past) |
| Desde aquel momento | From that moment on |
| En aquella época | In that era, back then |
In conversation
Shopping
Me gusta esta camisa que tengo puesta – I like this shirt I'm wearing
Sí, pero esa que está en el probador te queda mejor – Yes, but that one in the fitting room fits you better
¿Y aquella del escaparate? What about that one in the shop window?
Reminiscing
¿Recuerdas aquel verano del 2010? Do you remember that summer of 2010?
Sí, esa fue la época más feliz de mi vida – Yes, that was the happiest time of my life
Este año deberíamos repetirlo – This year we should do it again
Time references
Esta tarde voy al cine – This afternoon I'm going to the cinema
Yo fui esa tarde que llovió – I went that afternoon when it rained
Aquella tarde de invierno fue mágica – That winter afternoon was magical
More examples
Esta mesa es nueva – This table is new
Estos zapatos son cómodos – These shoes are comfortable
Estas llaves son mías – These keys are mine
Ese libro que tienes es mío – That book you have is mine
Esa casa es bonita – That house is pretty
Esos coches son caros – Those cars are expensive
Esas flores son hermosas – Those flowers are beautiful
Aquel edificio es muy alto – That building is very tall
Aquella montaña es el Everest – That mountain is Everest
Aquellos pájaros son águilas – Those birds are eagles
Aquellas estrellas brillan mucho – Those stars shine brightly
Aquellas montañas están cubiertas de nieve – Those mountains over there are covered with snow