Demonstrative Adjective Forms
Este
Este is used to describe a noun that is close to the speaker and listener. It is
normally used to talk about something within reaching distance of the
speaker.
MASCULINE SINGULAR FEMININE SINGULAR MASCULINE PLURAL FEMININE PLURAL
este esta estos estas
(this) (this) (these) (these)
Ese
Ese is used to point out nouns that are further from the speaker and not easily
within reach. The noun may be close to the listener, but not the speaker.
MASCULINE SINGULAR FEMININE SINGULAR MASCULINE PLURAL FEMININE PLURAL
ese esa esos esas
(that) (that) (those) (those)
Aquel
Aquel is used to talk about nouns that are far away from both the speaker and
the listener.
MASCULINE SINGULAR FEMININE SINGULAR MASCULINE PLURAL FEMININE PLURAL
aquellos aquellas
aquel aquella
(those over (those over
(that over there) (that over there)
there) there)
Demonstrative Pronouns vs. Their Neuter Counterparts
There are three types of demonstrative pronouns in Spanish, and they all must match the nouns
they replace in gender and number. Each demonstrative pronoun also has a neuter form that
does not change in number or gender.
DISTANCE FROM THE DEMONSTRATIVE MEANING IN NEUTER MEANING IN
SPEAKER PRONOUN ENGLISH FORM ENGLISH
Close este this/this one esto this
Further Away ese that/that one eso that
At a Distance aquel that/that one aquello that
Spanish Demonstrative Pronoun Forms
Spanish has three types of demonstrative pronouns, and they all must match
the nouns they replace in gender and number.
1. Este
Este is used to replace a noun close to the speaker. Below you'll find the four
forms this pronoun can take, as well as some examples of each.
Este Forms
SINGULAR PLURAL
este estos
Masculine
(this, this one) (these, these ones)
esta estas
Feminine
(this, this one) (these, these ones)
Here are examples of the four forms of este can take.
EXAMPLES
Mi coche es más rápido que este.
My car is faster than this one.
Yo quiero esta aquí.
I want this one here.
Estos se me hacen más bonitos.
I think these are prettier.
Siéntense en estas aquí.
Sit in these here.
2. Ese
Ese is used to replace a noun that is not very close to the speaker (though it
may be close to whoever the speaker is talking to). Check out the different
forms ese can take.
Ese Forms
SINGULAR PLURAL
ese esos
Masculine
(that, that one) (those those ones)
esa esas
Feminine
(that, that one) (those, those ones)
Here are examples of the four forms of ese.
EXAMPLES
Ya tienes uno; ese es para tu hermano.
You already have one; that one is for your brother.
¿Te gusta esa?
Do you like that one?
No me agradan esos.
I don't like those.
Esas son las más bonitas.
Those are the most beautiful.
3. Aquel
Aquel
is used to replace a noun far from both the speaker and the listener. Below you'll find the four forms this
pronoun can take in Spanish.
Aquel Forms
SINGULAR PLURAL
aquel aquellos
Masculine
(that, that one) (those, those ones)
aquella aquellas
Feminine
(that, that one) (those, those ones)
Here are examples of aquel in action.
EXAMPLES
Aquel es el Gran Cañón.
That is the Grand Canyon.
Aquella es peligrosa.
That one over there is dangerous.
Aquellos son los jefes.
Those over there are the bosses.
¿Cómo se llaman aquellas?
What are those called?
