Este, Ese, Aquel: This and That in Spanish
English has two words, this and that. Spanish has three. The difference is distance, measured from the speaker. They also change with the gender and number of the noun, like adjectives.
Quick answer
- Este = this, near me: Este libro es mío.
- Ese = that, near you: Ese libro es tuyo.
- Aquel = that over there: Aquel edificio es grande.
The three distances
Este is near the speaker. Ese is near the listener or at a middle distance. Aquel is far from both.
| Masculine | Feminine | Masc. plural | Fem. plural | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Near me (this) | este | esta | estos | estas |
| Near you (that) | ese | esa | esos | esas |
| Far away (that over there) | aquel | aquella | aquellos | aquellas |
Using them with nouns
The demonstrative must match the noun in gender and number.
Examples
- Esta casa es nueva.This house is new.Feminine singular.
- Ese coche es rápido.That car is fast.Masculine singular.
- Aquellas montañas son altas.Those mountains over there are tall.Feminine plural.
- Estos zapatos me gustan.I like these shoes.Masculine plural.
Esto, eso, aquello
These neutral forms never take a noun. Use them for ideas, situations, or something you cannot name. They have no plural and no gender.
Examples
- ¿Qué es esto?What is this?Something near me, unknown.
- Eso es muy importante.That is very important.An idea.
- Aquello fue increíble.That was incredible.Something far in time or space.
In a shop
Two people look at things in a market.
Examples
- ¿Cuánto cuesta esta bolsa?How much is this bag?Near the buyer.
- Esa bolsa cuesta doscientos pesos.That bag costs two hundred pesos.Near the seller.
- ¿Y aquellas, las del fondo?And those, the ones in the back?Far from both.
- Esas cuestan trescientos.Those cost three hundred.Middle distance.
Spanish around the world
- The system is the same everywhere. In Mexico people often point and say este or ese while thinking, like "um": Es que, este, no sé. Aquel is less common in speech and appears more in writing.
Common mistakes
Incorrect: Este casa es grande.
Correct: Esta casa es grande.
Casa is feminine.
Incorrect: Esos libro es bueno.
Correct: Ese libro es bueno.
Libro is singular.
Incorrect: Esto libro es mío.
Correct: Este libro es mío.
Esto never goes before a noun.
Incorrect: ¿Qué es este? (unknown thing)
Correct: ¿Qué es esto?
Use the neutral form when you do not name it.
Remember the picture
- Este is here, ese is there, aquel is over there.
- Match gender and number with the noun.
- Esto, eso, aquello are for ideas and unnamed things.
Mini practice
5 quick questions. You get feedback right after each answer.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between ese and aquel?
Ese is near you or at a medium distance. Aquel is far from both people, in space or time.
Do demonstratives have accents?
Today the standard rule is no accent: este libro and Quiero este. Old texts may show éste.
When do I use esto, eso, aquello?
When there is no noun, or when you refer to an idea or situation.
Do demonstratives change in the plural?
Yes: estos, estas, esos, esas, aquellos, aquellas.
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