Demonstrative Adjectives and Pronouns: This, That, That Over There
Quick Answer: Spanish has three demonstrative sets that agree in gender and number: este/esta/estos/estas (this/these, near speaker), ese/esa/esos/esas (that/those, near listener),...
Spanish has three levels of distance, not just two
Category: Gender & Agreement
The Rule
Spanish has three demonstrative sets that agree in gender and number: este/esta/estos/estas (this/these, near speaker), ese/esa/esos/esas (that/those, near listener), aquel/aquella/aquellos/aquellas (that/those over there, far from both).
Why This Matters
English has two levels: 'this' (near) and 'that' (far). Spanish adds a third: 'aquel' for things far from both speaker and listener. All forms must agree with the noun in gender and number. Demonstrative pronouns used to carry an accent mark, but the RAE now considers it optional.
Examples
• Este libro es bueno. — "This book is good." [Near the speaker] • Esa silla es cómoda. — "That chair is comfortable." [Near the listener] • Aquellas montañas son hermosas. — "Those mountains (over there) are beautiful." [Far from both] • ¿Qué es esto? — "What is this?" [Neuter form (esto/eso/aquello) for unknown things]
Common Mistakes
❌ Este casa es grande. ✅ Esta casa es grande. → 'Casa' is feminine, so the demonstrative must be feminine too: 'esta,' not 'este.' ❌ ¿Qué es esta? ✅ ¿Qué es esto? → When referring to something unknown (you don't know what it is yet), use the neuter form: esto/eso/aquello.
Quick Tip
Match demonstratives with adverbs: este/aquí (here, near me), ese/ahí (there, near you), aquel/allí (over there, far). The neuter forms (esto, eso, aquello) NEVER have an accent and refer to abstract ideas or unidentified things.
Match demonstratives with adverbs: este/aquí (here, near me), ese/ahí (there, near you), aquel/allí (over there, far). The neuter forms (esto, eso, aquello) NEVER have an accent and refer to abstract ideas or unidentified things.
Examples
Common Mistakes
Incorrect: Este casa es grande. → Correct: Esta casa es grande.. 'Casa' is feminine, so the demonstrative must be feminine too: 'esta,' not 'este.'
Incorrect: ¿Qué es esta? → Correct: ¿Qué es esto?. When referring to something unknown (you don't know what it is yet), use the neuter form: esto/eso/aquello.
Quiz
'Those (far away) buildings' — which is correct?