In Spanish, demonstrative adjectives are used to indicate which noun is being referred to, based on the relative location of the noun to the speaker or listener. They must agree in gender (masculine or feminine) and number (singular or plural) with the noun they modify.
Forms
Spanish demonstrative adjectives come in three sets:
| Set | Meaning | Masculine Singular | Feminine Singular | Masculine Plural | Feminine Plural |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Near the speaker | this / these | este | esta | estos | estas |
| Near the listener | that / those | ese | esa | esos | esas |
| Far from both | that ... over there / those ... over there | aquel | aquella | aquellos | aquellas |
Usage
- Singular and plural forms must match the noun's gender.
- They are always placed before the noun.
- They specify how close the object is to the speaker or listener.
| Spanish Example | English Example |
|---|---|
| Esta casa es grande. | This house is big. |
| Ese libro es interesante. | That book is interesting. |
| Aquellas montañas son altas. | Those mountains over there are tall. |
Choose the correct demonstrative: _______ montañas son altas. (Those mountains over there are tall.)
Aquellas montañas son altas.
`Aquellas` is plural feminine for "those over there." `Esas` means "those," `Estas` means "these," and `Aquellos montaña` is incorrect because "montaña" is singular.
Examples
| Spanish Example | English Example |
|---|---|
| Este coche es nuevo. | This car is new. |
| Esa silla es cómoda. | That chair is comfortable. |
| Aquellos perros son ruidosos. | Those dogs over there are noisy. |
Summary
- Use este / esta / estos / estas for things near the speaker.
- Use ese / esa / esos / esas for things near the listener.
- Use aquel / aquella / aquellos / aquellas for things far from both.
- Always match the gender and number of the noun.
Flashcards (1 of 6)
- English Example: This house is big.
Last updated: Wed Jun 18, 2025
