Three distances, not two
English gives you two ways to point: this for what is near you and that for everything else. Spanish splits that in two: a middle distance, near the person you are talking to, and a far one, out of reach of you both.
The same thing at three distances
Este coche es de Pablo.
This car here is Pablo's.
Ese coche es de Ana.
That car is Ana's.
Aquel coche es del vecino.
That car over there belongs to the neighbour.
Forms — gender and number
In front of a noun, the demonstrative agrees with that noun in gender and number. English only changes for number (this becomes these), so gender is the part to watch: learn each noun with its article and copy that gender. El coche gives este coche, la casa gives esta casa.
All the forms at a glance
| Gender / number | este — near | ese — middle | aquel — far |
|---|---|---|---|
| Masculine singular | este | ese | aquel |
| Feminine singular | esta | esa | aquella |
| Masculine plural | estos | esos | aquellos |
| Feminine plural | estas | esas | aquellas |
| Neuter (no noun) | esto | eso | aquello |
Agreement in action
Este libro es nuevo.
This book is new.
Esta casa es blanca.
This house is white.
Estos zapatos son cómodos.
These shoes are comfortable.
Esas flores son bonitas.
Those flowers are pretty.
Without a noun
When the demonstrative stands alone, the form depends on what you are pointing at. English uses the same word in both cases, which is why this is easy to forget.
Unknown thing or whole idea vs. known thing or person
Unknown or a whole idea: esto, eso, aquello
The neuter forms always end in -o and have no feminine or plural. Use them when you do not know the name of the thing, or when you mean a whole situation – never for people.
¿Qué es esto?
What is this?
Eso no es verdad.
That is not true.
¿Qué es aquello?
What is that over there?
Known thing or person: este, esta, estos, estas
When it is clear what you mean, you just drop the noun and keep the form with its gender and number.
Este es mi amigo Pablo.
This is my friend Pablo.
Quiero esta, por favor.
I would like this one, please.
Distance in time too
With time expressions, este / esta means the current period. Careful: esta noche means tonight.
Este año viajo a España.
This year I am travelling to Spain.
Esta noche cenamos en casa.
Tonight we are having dinner at home.
Esta semana trabajo mucho.
This week I am working a lot.
