Demonstrative Adjectives

Question 1

este

Answer 1

“Este” in Spanish means “this” and is used to refer to something close to the speaker.

Forms

este — masculine singular (este libro = this book)

esta — feminine singular (esta casa = this house)

estos — masculine plural (estos perros = these dogs)

estas — feminine plural (estas flores = these flowers)

When to use it

Use este/esta/estos/estas when the object is:

physically close to you,

or the one you are currently talking about.

Question 2

ese

Answer 2

“Ese” means “that” in Spanish and refers to something close to the listener, or not as close to the speaker as este.

Forms

ese — masculine singular

esa — feminine singular

esos — masculine plural

esas — feminine plural

How it compares

este = this (near me)

ese = that (near you)

aquel = that (over there) (far from both of us)

Examples

Ese coche es tuyo. — That car is yours.

¿Puedes pasarme esa sal? — Can you pass me that salt?

Me gustan esos zapatos. — I like those shoes.

Question 3

aquel

Answer 3

“Aquel” means “that (over there)” and refers to something far from both the speaker and the listener.

Forms

aquel — masculine singular

aquella — feminine singular

aquellos — masculine plural

aquellas — feminine plural

Comparison (all three)

este = this (close to me)

ese = that (close to you)

aquel = that over there (far from both)

Examples

Mira aquel edificio. — Look at that building over there.

Aquella montaña es muy alta. — That mountain over there is very tall.

Aquellos niños están jugando lejos. — Those kids over there are playing far away.

Question 4

esta

Answer 4

“Esta” is the feminine singular form of “este”, meaning “this”.

Use esta when talking about a singular feminine noun that is close to you.

Examples

Esta casa es nueva.
This house is new.

Esta silla es cómoda.
This chair is comfortable.

Esta idea me gusta.
I like this idea.

Question 5

esa

Answer 5

“Esa” is the feminine singular form of “ese”, meaning “that.”

Use esa when referring to a singular feminine noun that is closer to the listener than to you, or not immediately near you.

Examples

Esa mesa es muy grande.
That table is very big.

¿Puedes darme esa camisa?
Can you give me that shirt?

No entiendo esa palabra.
I don’t understand that word.

Question 6

aquella

Answer 6

“Aquella” is the feminine singular form of “aquel”, meaning “that… over there.”

Use aquella when referring to a singular feminine noun that is far from both you and the listener.

Examples

Aquella montaña es hermosa.
That mountain over there is beautiful.

¿Ves aquella casa al fondo?
Do you see that house over there in the distance?

Prefiero aquella camisa, la que está lejos.
I prefer that shirt over there, the one that’s far away.

Question 7

estas

Answer 7

“Estas” is the feminine plural form of “este”, meaning “these.”

Use estas for plural feminine nouns that are close to you.

Examples

Estas flores huelen muy bien.
These flowers smell really good.

Estas casas son nuevas.
These houses are new.

Estas ideas son interesantes.
These ideas are interesting.

Question 8

esas

Answer 8

“Esas” is the feminine plural form of “ese,” meaning “those.”

Use esas for plural feminine nouns that are closer to the listener than to you, or not right next to either of you.

Examples

Esas flores son para ti.
Those flowers are for you.

¿Puedes pasarme esas cajas?
Can you hand me those boxes?

No entiendo esas instrucciones.
I don’t understand those instructions.

Question 9

aquellas

Answer 9

“Aquellas” is the feminine plural form of “aquel,” meaning “those… over there.”

Use aquellas when talking about plural feminine nouns that are far from both you and the listener.

Examples

Aquellas casas al fondo son muy antiguas.
Those houses over there in the distance are very old.

Mira aquellas estrellas.
Look at those stars over there.

Prefiero aquellas opciones, las que están lejos.
I prefer those options over there, the ones far away.

Question 10

estos

Answer 10

“Estos” is the masculine plural form of “este,” meaning “these.”

Use estos for plural masculine nouns (or mixed groups) that are close to you.

Examples

Estos libros son interesantes.
These books are interesting.

Estos perros están jugando.
These dogs are playing.

Estos días he estado ocupado.
These days I’ve been busy.

Question 11

esos

Answer 11

Esos

“Esos” is the masculine plural form of “ese,” meaning “those.”

Use esos for plural masculine nouns (or mixed groups) that are closer to the listener than to you, or not right next to either person.

Examples

Esos libros son tuyos.
Those books are yours.

¿Puedes mover esos carros?
Can you move those cars?

No entiendo esos comentarios.
I don’t understand those comments.

Question 12

aquellos

Answer 12

“Aquellos” is the masculine plural form of “aquel,” meaning “those… over there.”

Use aquellos when referring to plural masculine nouns (or mixed groups) that are far from both you and the listener.

Examples

Aquellos árboles están muy lejos.
Those trees over there are very far.

Mira aquellos coches al fondo.
Look at those cars over there in the distance.

Prefiero aquellos asientos, los que están lejos.
I prefer those seats over there, the ones far away.