Demonstrative adjectives show exactly which thing you are talking about by pointing to its location relative to the speaker. They agree in gender and number with the noun they modify.
Nearby
Use este and its forms to indicate something close to the speaker, often within reach.
Masculine Singular
| Spanish Word | English Word | |
|---|---|---|
| este | this | |
| ese | that | |
| aquel | that (over there) |
text
- Quiero comprar ___ (this) libro que está en la mesa.
answer
- este
Feminine Singular
| Spanish Word | English Word | |
|---|---|---|
| esta | this | |
| esa | that | |
| aquella | that (over there) |
text
- ¿Ves ___ (that over there) casa al final de la calle?
answer
- aquella
Masculine Plural
| Spanish Word | English Word | |
|---|---|---|
| estos | these | |
| esos | those | |
| aquellos | those (over there) |
text
- Prefiero ___ (those) zapatos que están más cerca.
answer
- esos
Feminine Plural
| Spanish Word | English Word | |
|---|---|---|
| estas | these | |
| esas | those | |
| aquellas | those (over there) |
text
- ___ (these) flores que recogí son para ti.
answer
- estas
Slightly Further
Use ese and its forms for something near the listener or a bit farther from the speaker.
Fact/Usage Quiz
Far Away
Use aquel and its forms to point to something more distant from both speaker and listener, often out of reach or abstract.
Fill-in-Blank Quiz
Summary
Demonstrative adjectives must match the noun in gender and number, and you choose este, ese, or aquel based on relative distance.
Last updated: Fri Oct 24, 2025