⇒ 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.
⇒ 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.
| Este restaurante es mi favorito.This restaurant is my favorite. |
| Esta blusa es muy bonita.This blouse is very pretty. |
| ¡Estos burritos son fantásticos!These burritos are fantastic! |
| Estas paletas son ricas.These popsicles are delicious. |
⇒ 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:
| Quiero ese helado blanco.I want that white ice cream. |
| Tráeme esa camisa, por favor.Bring me that shirt, please. |
| Esos monos son cómicos.Those monkeys are funny. |
| Esas flores son mis favoritas.Those flowers are my favorites. |
⇒ 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:
| Aquel león es peligroso.That lion over there is dangerous. |
| Aquella chica es muy guapa.That girl over there is really pretty. |
| Aquellos edificios son los más viejos de la ciudad.Those buildings over there are the oldest in the city. |
| Aquellas nubes se ven rojas.Those clouds over there look red. |
⇒ Demonstrative adjectives are typically placed immediately before the nouns they modify.
| Estos libros y esos periódicos son buenos.These books and those magazines are good. |
| Esta casa y aquel apartamento son lindos.This house and that apartment over there are nice. |