- Understand Spanish's three-way distance system (vs English's two-way)
- Use este for things near you (speaker)
- Use ese for things near the listener or at moderate distance
- Use aquel for things far from both speaker and listener
- Apply demonstratives to both physical space and time references
← Back to Grammar
📖Extension to: DemonstrativesBeginner
Este vs Ese vs Aquel in Real Contexts
Master the three-way distance system for demonstratives
What You'll Learn
Overview
Spanish has three demonstrative systems based on distance from the speaker, while English only has two (this/that). Understanding when to use este, ese, and aquelis essential for natural Spanish communication.
Este/Esta
This/These - close to speaker
Ese/Esa
That/Those - close to listener
Aquel/Aquella
That over there - far from both
Key Insight: These demonstratives work for both physical space (pointing at objects) and temporal distance (referring to different time periods).
Deep Dive
When to Use Este (Near Speaker)
Rule: Use este for things that are close to YOU (the speaker), whether in space or time.
este
masculine singular
Este libro es interesante
esta
feminine singular
Esta mesa es nueva
estos
masculine plural
Estos zapatos son cómodos
estas
feminine plural
Estas llaves son mías
Physical Distance
Este teléfono que tengo en la mano es nuevo
This phone that I have in my hand is new
Esta camisa me queda bien
This shirt fits me well (I'm wearing it)
Temporal Distance
Esta semana tengo mucho trabajo
This week I have a lot of work (current week)
Este año he aprendido mucho
This year I've learned a lot (current year)
En este momento estoy ocupado
At this moment I'm busy (right now)
When to Use Ese (Near Listener)
Rule: Use ese for things that are close to the LISTENER (the person you're talking to), or at a moderate distance from you.
ese
masculine singular
Ese libro que tienes es mío
esa
feminine singular
Esa casa es bonita
esos
masculine plural
Esos coches son caros
esas
feminine plural
Esas flores son hermosas
Physical Distance
Ese bolígrafo que tienes, ¿funciona?
That pen you have, does it work? (near listener)
¿Me pasas esa sal?
Can you pass me that salt? (near listener)
Esa tienda tiene buenos precios
That store has good prices (moderate distance)
Temporal Distance
Esa semana fue horrible
That week was horrible (recent past)
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 learned to swim
Tip: Ese is the most commonly used demonstrative in everyday speech when you're not holding something or when something is a moderate distance away. It's the "default" that-form for most situations.
When to Use Aquel (Far from Both)
Rule: Use aquel for things that are FAR from both you and the listener, either in physical space or in time (distant past).
aquel
masculine singular
Aquel edificio es muy alto
aquella
feminine singular
Aquella montaña es el Everest
aquellos
masculine plural
Aquellos pájaros son águilas
aquellas
feminine plural
Aquellas estrellas brillan mucho
Physical Distance
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
Aquellas montañas están cubiertas de nieve
Those mountains over there are covered with snow
Temporal Distance (Distant Past)
Aquel verano de 1985 fue inolvidable
That summer of 1985 was unforgettable
En aquellos tiempos no había internet
In those times there was no internet
Aquella época fue muy difícil para nosotros
That era was very difficult for us
Literary Use: Aquel is often used in storytelling and literature to create a sense of distance or nostalgia: "Aquellos días felices..." (Those happy days [of long ago]...)
Visual Comparison: Physical Space
ESTE →
"Este libro" = This book (I'm holding it)
ESE →
"Ese libro" = That book (near you, or on the table)
AQUEL →
"Aquel libro" = That book over there (on the far shelf)
Visual Comparison: Temporal Distance
ESTE →
"Esta semana" = This week (current)
ESE →
"Esa semana" = That week (recent past, last week)
AQUEL →
"Aquella semana" = That week (long ago, distant past)
Examples
ESTE Expressions (Near)
Time
En este momento
At this moment, right now
Time
Esta noche
Tonight
Time
Este fin de semana
This weekend
Cause
Por esta razón
For this reason
Manner
De esta manera
In this way, like this
Time
A estas alturas
At this point, by now
ESE Expressions (Medium)
Cause
Por eso
That's why, for that reason
Agreement
Eso es
That's it, exactly
Contrast
A pesar de eso
Despite that, in spite of that
Question
¿Y eso?
And why is that? How come?
Emphasis
Ni por esas
Not even then, no way
Time
En esos días
In those days (recent)
AQUEL Expressions (Far)
Nostalgia
En aquellos tiempos
In those times (long ago)
Nostalgia
Aquellos días
Those days (distant past)
Turning Point
Desde aquel momento
From that moment on
History
En aquella época
In that era, back then
Practice Scenarios
See how demonstratives work in realistic conversations:
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
That one in the fitting room fits you better
-¿Y aquella del escaparate?
What about that one in the window display?
Reminiscing
-¿Recuerdas aquel verano del 2010?
Do you remember that summer of 2010?
-Sí, esa fue la época más feliz de mi vida
That was the happiest time of my life
-Este año deberíamos repetirlo
This year we should do it again
Pointing Things Out
-¿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
Time References
-Esta tarde voy al cine
This afternoon I'm going to the movies
-Yo fui esa tarde que llovió
I went that afternoon when it rained
-Aquella tarde de invierno fue mágica
That winter afternoon was magical
Common Mistakes
Common Mistakes to Avoid
✗ Ese edificio allá lejos
✓ Aquel edificio allá lejos
Use aquel for things clearly far from both people
✗ Este mesa es bonita
✓ Esta mesa es bonita
Mesa is feminine - demonstratives must agree in gender
✗ Aquella semana pasada
✓ Esa semana pasada (or La semana pasada)
Aquel is for distant past, not recent. Use ese or just the article
✗ Este libro que tú tienes
✓ Ese libro que tú tienes
Use ese for things near the listener, even if they're holding it
✗ Overusing aquel
✓ Ese coche en la calle
Ese is more common in everyday speech. Aquel is for clearly distant things
Quick Decision Guide
Near me? → ESTE
Near you? → ESE
Far from both? → AQUEL
