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Overview
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A demonstrative adjective always accompanies a noun. In the phrase, "Este carro (this car)", the demonstrative adjective, "este", explains which car you are talking about (this car). view full lesson
| Singular |
Plural |
|
| este |
estos |
this, these (m) |
| esta |
estas |
this, these (f) |
| ese |
esos |
that, those (m) |
| esa |
esas |
that, those (f) |
| aquel |
aquellos |
that over there, those over there (m) |
| aquella |
aquellas |
that over there, those over there (f) |
m - masculine
f - feminine
 Este libro es bueno.
This book is good.
Estos platos son grandes.
These plates are big.
Quiero enviar esta postal.
I want to send this postcard.
A demonstrative pronoun indicates more or less proximity to what is being talked about. As with all pronouns, it also replaces a noun. [ view full lesson ]
| Singular |
Plural |
|
| éste, ésto |
éstos |
this one, these (m) |
| ésta, ésto |
éstas |
this one, these (f) |
| ése |
ésos |
that one, those (m) |
| ésa |
ésas |
that one, those (f) |
| aquél |
aquéllos |
that one over there, those over there (m) |
| aquélla |
aquéllas |
that one over there, those over there (f) |
m - masculine, f - feminine
ésto can be applied to either feminine or masculine.
Let's see how demonstrative pronouns are used:
Mi carro es mejor que aquél.
My car is better than that one.
aquél = that one
Estos perros son mejores que aquéllos.
These dogs are better than those.
aquéllos = those
This is different than demonstrative adjectives, which modify a noun (este carro = this car) by explaining which car you are talking about.
Demonstrative Adjectives
These determiners "specify" the noun by "pointing" to ("demonstrating") the noun in terms of distance (physical or psychological) from the speaker. English makes a two way distinction: 'this/these' (near speaker), 'that/those' (apart from speaker). Spanish makes a three-way distinction:
| Singular |
Plural |
|
| este |
estos |
this, these (m) |
| esta |
estas |
this, these (f) |
| ese |
esos |
that, those (m) |
| esa |
esas |
that, those (f) |
| aquel |
aquellos |
that over there, those over there (m) |
| aquella |
aquellas |
that over there, those over there (f) |
m - masculine
f - feminine
The demonstrative adjective generally precedes the noun, but may follow to communicate an especially negative attitude on the part of the speaker:
No me gusta ese tipo. / No me gusta el tipo ese. = 'I don't like that guy.'
*Note the masculine plural forms are: este estos, ese esos (not estes / eses).
A demonstrative pronoun indicates more or less proximity to what is being talked about. As with all pronouns, it also replaces a noun.
| Singular |
Plural |
|
| éste, ésto |
éstos |
this one, these (m) |
| ésta, ésto |
éstas |
this one, these (f) |
| ése |
ésos |
that one, those (m) |
| ésa |
ésas |
that one, those (f) |
| aquél |
aquéllos |
that one over there, those over there (m) |
| aquélla |
aquéllas |
that one over there, those over there (f) |
m - masculine, f - feminine
ésto can be applied to either feminine or masculine.
Let's see how demonstrative pronouns are used:
Mi carro es mejor que aquél.
My car is better than that one.
aquél = that one
Estos perros son mejores que aquéllos.
These dogs are better than those.
aquéllos = those
This is different than demonstrative adjectives, which modify a noun (este carro = this car) by explaining which car you are talking about.
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Vocabulary
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Grammar
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