- A1 Essential: Learn the 12 Spanish ... (este, esta, estos, estas, ese, esa, esos, esas, aquel, aquella, aquellos, aquellas)
- Learn the distances: Understand the three-distance system - here (este), there (ese), over there (aquel)
- Gender agreement: Match demonstratives to masculine/feminine nouns (este libro, esta mesa)
- Number agreement: Use singular/plural forms correctly (este/estos, esta/estas)
- Shopping language: Point and ask for items using "Quiero este/esa" (I want this/that)
- Everyday use: Apply demonstratives in classroom, home, and shopping situations
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Demonstratives: este, ese, aquel (this, that, that over there)
What You'll Learn
Overview / Usage
Spanish Demonstratives: Pointing with Precision
Learn to point at things in Spanish! Unlike English (this/that), Spanish has THREE distances: here, there, and way over there!
The Three-Distance System
👇
THIS/THESE (HERE - Near Me)
THIS
este (m.) / esta (f.)
este (m.) / esta (f.)
THESE
estos (m.) / estas (f.)
estos (m.) / estas (f.)
este libro
this book (I'm holding it)
👈
THAT/THOSE (THERE - Near You)
THAT
ese (m.) / esa (f.)
ese (m.) / esa (f.)
THOSE
esos (m.) / esas (f.)
esos (m.) / esas (f.)
ese libro
that book (you have it)
👀
THAT/THOSE (OVER THERE - Far Away)
THAT
aquel (m.) / aquella (f.)
aquel (m.) / aquella (f.)
THOSE
aquellos (m.) / aquellas (f.)
aquellos (m.) / aquellas (f.)
aquel libro
that book over there
Structure & Formation
📍 Complete Forms Chart
Each distance has 4 forms for gender and number agreement:
📋 Quick Reference: All Forms
See below this table for pronunciation and example usage with audio
| Form | 👇 THIS/THESE (HERE - near me) | 👈 THAT/THOSE (THERE - near you) | 👀 THAT/THOSE (OVER THERE - far away) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Masculine Singular | este this | ese that | aquel that over there |
| Feminine Singular | esta this | esa that | aquella that over there |
| Masculine Plural | estos these | esos those | aquellos those over there |
| Feminine Plural | estas these | esas those | aquellas those over there |
| Neuter/Abstract (unknown/ideas) | esto this (thing/idea) | eso that (thing/idea) | aquello that (thing/idea) |
💡 Tip: The neuter forms (esto, eso, aquello) are used when you don't know what something is or when referring to abstract concepts, situations, or ideas.
👇 HERE - Near Me (THIS/THESE)
ESTE
este libro
this book (masc. sing.)
ESTA
esta mesa
this table (fem. sing.)
ESTOS
estos libros
these books (masc. pl.)
ESTAS
estas mesas
these tables (fem. pl.)
- Este libro es interesante (This book is interesting)
- Esta silla es cómoda (This chair is comfortable)
- Estos libros son míos (These books are mine)
- Estas flores son bonitas (These flowers are pretty)
👈 THERE - Near You (THAT/THOSE)
ESE
ese coche
that car (masc. sing.)
ESA
esa casa
that house (fem. sing.)
ESOS
esos coches
those cars (masc. pl.)
ESAS
esas casas
those houses (fem. pl.)
- Ese bolígrafo es tuyo (That pen is yours)
- Esa mesa es grande (That table is big)
- Esos zapatos son nuevos (Those shoes are new)
- Esas llaves son suyas (Those keys are his/hers)
👀 OVER THERE - Far from Both (THAT OVER THERE)
AQUEL
aquel edificio
that building over there (masc. sing.)
AQUELLA
aquella montaña
that mountain over there (fem. sing.)
AQUELLOS
aquellos edificios
those buildings over there (masc. pl.)
AQUELLAS
aquellas montañas
those mountains over there (fem. pl.)
- Aquel edificio es antiguo (That building is old)
- Aquella montaña es alta (That mountain is tall)
- Aquellos árboles son grandes (Those trees are big)
- Aquellas casas son blancas (Those houses are white)
🛍️ Shopping & Everyday Use
Essential Shopping Phrases
Quiero esta camisa
I want this shirt (holding it)
¿Cuánto cuesta ese bolso?
How much is that bag? (near seller)
Me gustan estos zapatos
I like these shoes (in my hands)
Prefiero aquellos
I prefer those ones over there
Quick Distance Guide
ESTE/ESTA
✋ I can touch it
In my hand, on my desk
ESE/ESA
👥 You can touch it
Near you, in your space
AQUEL/AQUELLA
🏔️ Neither can reach
Across room, outside
📚 Advanced Demonstrative Concepts
📝 Demonstrative Pronouns (Standing Alone)
📚 Grammar Note: The terms "demonstratives" can refer to both demonstrative adjectives (este libro = this book) and demonstrative pronouns (quiero este = I want this one). Most of this page teaches demonstrative adjectives, while this section covers pronouns. Both are simply called "demonstratives" in everyday teaching.
Demonstratives can stand alone without a noun. Historically they had accent marks (éste, ése, aquél) but these are no longer required.
Without Nouns
Quiero este
I want this one (masculine)
Prefiero esas
I prefer those ones (feminine plural)
Neuter Forms (Abstract Ideas)
Special neuter forms for abstract concepts or unknown things:
ESTO
¿Qué es esto?
What is this?
ESO
Eso es verdad
That's true
AQUELLO
Aquello fue increíble
That was incredible
⏰ Beyond Physical Distance
Temporal Distance
Este año
This year (current)
Ese día
That day (mentioned)
Aquella época
That era (distant past)
Fixed Expressions
Por eso
That's why / Therefore
A eso de las tres
Around three o'clock
Esto y aquello
This and that
En esos días
In those days
Examples
🛍️ Shopping Scenarios
At the Clothing Store
Me gusta esta camisa
I like this shirt (holding it)
¿Tienen estos zapatos en negro?
Do you have these shoes in black?
Ese bolso es muy caro
That bag is very expensive (pointing to display)
In the Classroom
Este lápiz es mío
This pencil is mine (in my hand)
Esa silla está rota
That chair is broken (near student)
Necesito aquel cuaderno
I need that notebook over there (on teacher's desk)
👀 Pointing at Things
Near Me 👇
Estos libros son nuevos
These books are new (on my desk)
Near You 👈
Esas llaves son tuyas
Those keys are yours (in your pocket)
Far Away 👀
Aquella montaña es alta
That mountain over there is tall
Distance Comparison Chart
ESTE lado
this side (my side)
ESE lado
that side (your side)
AQUEL lado
that side over there
Gotchas / Common Mistakes
⚠️ Common Mistakes
❌ Wrong gender agreement
❌ Wrong: este mesa
✅ Right: esta mesa(this table)
Mesa is feminine, so use 'esta' not 'este'. Check the noun's gender!
❌ Confusing ese/aquel distance
❌ Wrong: Dame aquel libro (pointing to book next to listener)
✅ Right: Dame ese libro(Give me that book)
Use 'ese/esa' for things near the listener, 'aquel/aquella' for far from both.
❌ Number agreement forgotten
❌ Wrong: este coches
✅ Right: estos coches(these cars)
Plural nouns need plural demonstratives. Coches → estos.
❌ Direct English translation
❌ Wrong: eso libro (trying to say 'that book')
✅ Right: ese libro(that book)
Match the demonstrative to the noun's gender. Libro is masculine → ese.
Quick Test / Mini Quiz
📝 Interactive Demonstratives Quiz
Test your understanding of Spanish demonstratives!
1
📚 Book pointing! How do you say 'this book' (masculine)?
2
🏠 House spotting! What's the correct form for 'that house' (near you)?
3
🚗 Multiple cars! How do you say 'these cars' (masculine plural)?
4
👔 Shopping time! You're pointing at shirts near the salesperson. What's correct?
5
🏢 Far building! How do you say 'that building over there' (masculine)?
6
✏️ Classroom objects! How do you say 'those pencils' (near you)?
7
🪑 Classroom furniture! What's 'these chairs' (feminine plural)?
8
📓 Student supplies! You want 'that notebook' on the teacher's desk (far). What's correct?