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Demonstrative adjectives and pronouns
Demonstrative adjectives modify a noun by "demonstrating" or singling out their relationship to the speaker. See the forms below.
Singularthis (near speaker): este (masculine) / esta (feminine)
that (away from speaker): ese (masculine) / esa (feminine)
that (in the distance): aquel (masculine) / aquella (feminine)Plural
these (near speaker): estos (masculine) / estas (feminine)
those (away from speaker): esos (masculine) / esas (feminine)
those (in the distance): aquellos (masculine) / aquellas (feminine)
Observe a summary of the uses of the demonstrative adjective:
(1) When the reference is close to the speaker one uses
este or a variation thereof.
- ¿Ves este libro que tengo en la mano? (Do you see this book that I have in my hand?)
- Esta vez voy a hacerlo temprano. (This time I'm going to do it early.)
- Estos caminos están en malas condiciones. (These roads are in bad shape.)
- Estas preguntas son difíciles. (These questions are difficult.)
(2) When the reference is closer to the addressee or further from
the speaker in time or space than in #1, one uses ese or a
variation thereof.
- Ese libro que tienes en la mano es mío. (That book that you have in your hand is mine.)
- Quiero esa flor. (I want that flower.)
- Esos detalles serán importantes para el proyecto. (Those details will be important to the project.)
- Esas referencias son más lógicas que las otras. (Those references are more logical than the others.)
(3) When the reference is relatively distant from the speaker in
time or space one uses aquel or a variation thereof.
- Mira aquel edificio. (Look at that building.)
- Aquella montaña es altísima. (That mountain is really high.)
- ¿Puedes ver aquellos hombres? (Can you see those men?)
- Se venden aquellas vacas pero no las otras. (Those cows are for sale but not the others.)
Demonstrative pronouns and demonstrative adjectives have nearly the same forms and often appear indistinguishable at first glance. The only difference is that demonstrative pronouns require an accent mark on most forms.
Singularthis [one (near speaker)]: éste (masculine) / ésta (feminine)
that [one (away from speaker)]: ése (masculine) / ésa (feminine)
that [one (in the distance)]: aquél (masculine) / aquélla (feminine)Pluralthese [ones (near speaker)]: éstos (masculine) / éstas (feminine)
those [ones (away from speaker)]: ésos (masculine) / ésas (feminine)
those [ones (in the distance)]: aquéllos (masculine) / aquéllas (feminine)Examples:
- Quiero éste.
- ¿Ves aquéllas?
One should also note that there are neuter forms of the demonstrative pronoun as well. These pronouns refer to an idea or a concept, such as That is something I would like to see or Me gustaría ver eso.
The forms are esto, eso and aquello. None of them
has an accent mark.
Related items:
Adjectives
Pronouns
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