Demonstratives are used to identify a person, animal, or thing by indicating which entity is being referred to exactly. They often use proximity (or distance from the speaker) as a way to provide context. The demonstrative determiners in Spanish are este, ese, and aquel with respective gender and number variations.
How is Este Used?
Rule 1. Este is used when something we talk about is near the speaker:
Spanish
English
Esta es mi mochila.
This is my backpack.
Rule 2. Este has masculine, feminine, and plural forms. Therefore, it must agree in number and gender with the noun.
| Masculine | Feminine | |
|---|---|---|
| Singular | este | esta |
| Plural | estos | estas |
| Masculine | Feminine | |
|---|---|---|
| Singular | este | esta |
| Plural | estos | estas |
Spanish
English
Estos son mis calcetines.
These are my socks.
How is Ese Used?
Rule 3. Ese is used when something is near the person being spoken to.
Spanish
English
Ese es mi lápiz.
That is my pencil.
Rule 4. Ese also has masculine, feminine, and plural forms, and it must agree in number and gender with the noun as well.
| Masculine | Feminine | |
|---|---|---|
| Singular | ese | esa |
| Plural | esos | esas |
| Masculine | Feminine | |
|---|---|---|
| Singular | ese | esa |
| Plural | esos | esas |
Spanish
English
Esas son mis muñecas.
Those are my dolls.
How is Aquel Used?
Rule 5. Aquel is used when something is far away from both the speaker and the person being spoken to.
Spanish
English
Aquel es mi carro. ¿Dónde está el tuyo?
That's my car. Where's yours?
Rule 6. Aquel, like the other demonstratives, must also agree in gender and number with the noun.
| Masculine | Feminine | |
|---|---|---|
| Singular | Aquel | Aquella |
| Plural | Aquellos | Aquellas |
| Masculine | Feminine | |
|---|---|---|
| Singular | Aquel | Aquella |
| Plural | Aquellos | Aquellas |
Spanish
English
- Aquellas son mis hijas.
- ¡Qué lindas!
- Those are my daughters.
- How cute!
Quiz
1/4
______________ es mi cuaderno.
0
correct answers.