The demonstrative adjectives point to a noun and mark distance relative to the speaker. In Spanish, they agree in gender and number with the noun. The main ones are este, ese, and aquel, with their feminine and plural forms. They are placed before the noun they determine.

Este and its forms are used to refer to something close to the speaker. They indicate physical or temporal proximity to the speaker. They can also be used in conversations to mark what is ‘here’ for the speaker.

That and its forms are used to refer to something at an intermediate distance from the speaker. They often indicate something closer to the listener than to the speaker or something mentioned previously. They can also mark a time “not very far” from the present.

That and its forms are used to refer to something distant from both the speaker and the listener. They indicate a large distance, physically or symbolically, and are commonly used to point to things “there.” They can also appear in narration for remote events or references.

The demonstratives change according to the gender and number of the noun. Masculine uses -o in singular and -os in plural; feminine uses -a in singular and -as in plural. Agreement is mandatory and gives clarity to the sentence.

Demonstratives can be used to indicate places, not only objects. This is associated with here to indicate proximity, that with there to indicate medium distance, and that one with over there to indicate remoteness. The combination reinforces the idea of distance in conversation.

Demonstratives also function to mark temporal distance. This usually refers to the present or a time very close to the present; that refers to a near past or near future, and that one over there to a distant time. This extension is used a lot in narration and in everyday life.

In the same context, demonstratives can be contrasted to differentiate references. This can point to something nearby and that to something farther away or less relevant. Contrast helps avoid ambiguity when there are several possible referents.

Demonstratives function as adjectives when they accompany a noun. When the noun does not appear, the phrase typically uses a demonstrative pronoun, not an adjective. In this module we focus on use with explicit noun.

The choice between this, that, and that distant one follows general rules across all of Spanish. However, in some regions, ese is preferred in informal conversations to avoid sounding overly emphatic. Aquel can sound more formal or literary in some contexts.