- Learn the 12 forms: Master the 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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AdjectivesBeginner
Demonstratives: este, ese, aquel (This, That, That Over There)
Point to things with este, ese, aquel and their variations
What You'll Learn
Overview
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 (Near Me)
THIS: este (m.) / esta (f.)
THESE: estos (m.) / estas (f.)
este libro - this book (I'm holding it)
👈
THAT/THOSE (Near You)
THAT: ese (m.) / esa (f.)
THOSE: esos (m.) / esas (f.)
ese libro - that book (you have it)
👀
THAT/THOSE (Far Away)
THAT: aquel (m.) / aquella (f.)
THOSE: 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:
All 12 Forms
| Form | 👇 THIS (near me) | 👈 THAT (near you) | 👀 THAT (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 (m. sing.)
ESTA
esta mesa
this table (f. sing.)
ESTOS
estos libros
these books (m. pl.)
ESTAS
estas mesas
these tables (f. 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 (m. sing.)
ESA
esa casa
that house (f. sing.)
ESOS
esos coches
those cars (m. pl.)
ESAS
esas casas
those houses (f. 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 (m. sing.)
AQUELLA
aquella montaña
that mountain (f. sing.)
AQUELLOS
aquellos edificios
those buildings (m. pl.)
AQUELLAS
aquellas montañas
those mountains (f. 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 Concepts
Grammar Note: "Demonstratives" refers to both adjectives (este libro = this book) and pronouns (quiero este = I want this one). The forms are identical - pronouns simply stand alone without a noun.
Demonstrative Pronouns (Standing Alone)
Quiero este
I want this one (masculine)
Prefiero esas
I prefer those ones (feminine plural)
Neuter Forms (Abstract Ideas)
Special 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 (Time)
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
Este/Esta (Near Me - This)
Masc. Sing.
este libro
this book
Fem. Sing.
esta mesa
this table
Masc. Plur.
estos zapatos
these shoes
Fem. Plur.
estas flores
these flowers
Full sentence
Quiero esta camisa
I want this shirt
Ese/Esa (Near You - That)
Masc. Sing.
ese coche
that car
Fem. Sing.
esa casa
that house
Masc. Plur.
esos bolsos
those bags
Fem. Plur.
esas llaves
those keys
Full sentence
Dame ese libro
Give me that book
Aquel/Aquella (Far - Over There)
Masc. Sing.
aquel edificio
that building over there
Fem. Sing.
aquella montaña
that mountain over there
Masc. Plur.
aquellos árboles
those trees over there
Fem. Plur.
aquellas casas
those houses over there
Full sentence
Mira aquel avión
Look at that plane over there
Neuter Forms (Abstract/Unknown)
Near me
esto
this (thing / idea)
Near you
eso
that (thing / idea)
Far away
aquello
that over there (thing)
Question
¿Qué es esto?
What is this?
Statement
Eso es verdad
That's true
Three-Distance System Summary
Este/Esta (HERE)
Near me - I can touch it
Ese/Esa (THERE)
Near you - you can touch it
Aquel/Aquella (FAR)
Far from both of us
📖Want to go deeper?
We have an in-depth article that explores this topic further:
Common Mistakes
Wrong gender agreement
este mesa
esta mesa - this table
Mesa is feminine, so use 'esta' not 'este'. Check the noun's gender!
Confusing ese/aquel distance
Dame aquel libro (book next to listener)
Dame ese libro - Give me that book
Use 'ese/esa' for things near the listener, 'aquel/aquella' for far from both.
Number agreement forgotten
este coches
estos coches - these cars
Plural nouns need plural demonstratives. Coches → estos.
Direct English translation
eso libro (trying to say 'that book')
ese libro - that book
Match the demonstrative to the noun's gender. Libro is masculine → ese.
Quick Test
Test your understanding of Spanish demonstratives!
1. How do you say 'this book' (masculine)?
2. What's the correct form for 'that house' (near you)?
3. How do you say 'these cars' (masculine plural)?
4. You're pointing at shirts near the salesperson. What's correct?
5. How do you say 'that building over there' (masculine)?
6. How do you say 'those pencils' (near you)?
7. What's 'these chairs' (feminine plural)?
8. You want 'that notebook' on the teacher's desk (far). What's correct?
Want more in-depth practice? Try our interactive fill-in-the-blank exercises with progressive lessons covering este, ese, and aquel forms!