Explanation
As the name implies, Spanish demonstrative adjectives demonstrate a quality about the noun they modify. In this case, that quality is the location in respect to the speaker or the listener. Spanish demonstrative adjectives can be translated as this, that, these, or those.
Demonstrative Adjective Forms
Spanish has three sets of demonstrative adjectives, each of which has four different forms that vary by gender and number.
1. Este
Este is used to describe a noun that is close to the speaker and listener. It is normally used to talk about something within reaching distance of the speaker.
Here are the four forms este can take in Spanish.
| Masculine Singular | Feminine Singular | Masculine Plural | Feminine Plural |
|---|---|---|---|
| este(this) | esta(this) | estos(these) | estas(these) |
Check out these examples with different forms of este.
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2. Ese
Ese is used to point out nouns that are further from the speaker and not easily within reach. The noun may be close to the listener, but not the speaker.
Here are the four forms ese can take in Spanish.
| Masculine Singular | Feminine Singular | Masculine Plural | Feminine Plural |
|---|---|---|---|
| ese(that) | esa(that) | esos(those) | esas(those) |
Check out these examples with different forms of ese.
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3. Aquel
Aquel is used to talk about nouns that are far away from both the speaker and the listener.
Here are the four forms aquel can take in Spanish.
| Masculine Singular | Feminine Singular | Masculine Plural | Feminine Plural |
|---|---|---|---|
| aquel(that over there) | aquella(that over there) | aquellos(those over there) | aquellas(those over there) |
Check out these examples with different forms of aquel.
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Demonstrative Adjective Placement
Demonstrative adjectives are typically placed immediately before the nouns they modify.
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Learn all about adjectives in Spanish with these articles!
