How to Use Spanish Demonstrative Adjectives: A Complete Guide for Learners


Introduction

Mastering Spanish demonstrative adjectives is essential for clear and precise communication. Words like “this,” “that,” “these,” and “those” help you describe objects, people, and places in relation to yourself and others. In this guide, we’ll explain how to use Spanish demonstrative adjectives correctly, with examples and tips for learners at every level.

1. What Are Demonstrative Adjectives?

Demonstrative adjectives in Spanish are words that modify nouns to indicate location or proximity. They help clarify which person, object, or place you are referring to.

Spanish Demonstrative Adjectives:

Singular Plural
este (this, masculine) estos (these, masculine)
esta (this, feminine) estas (these, feminine)
ese (that, masculine) esos (those, masculine)
esa (that, feminine) esas (those, feminine)
aquel (that over there, masculine) aquellos (those over there, masculine)
aquella (that over there, feminine) aquellas (those over there, feminine)

2. How to Use Demonstrative Adjectives

2-1. Indicating Proximity

  • Este / Esta → “this” (near the speaker)

    • Este libro es mío. → This book is mine.

  • Ese / Esa → “that” (near the listener or slightly farther away)

    • Esa casa es grande. → That house is big.

  • Aquel / Aquella → “that over there” (far from both speaker and listener)

    • Aquel edificio es histórico. → That building over there is historic.

2-2. Agreement with Nouns

Demonstrative adjectives must match the noun in gender and number.

  • Singular feminine: esta mesa (this table)

  • Plural masculine: estos coches (these cars)

2-3. Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Mixing up este / ese / aquel based on distance

  • Forgetting plural forms: este libro vs. estos libros

  • Using adjectives instead of pronouns in the wrong context (we’ll cover pronouns in another post)

3. Quick Tips for Remembering

  • “E” = close to me → este / esta

  • “S” = closer to you → ese / esa

  • “A” = far from both → aquel / aquella

  • Make a visual chart with examples of objects at different distances

  • Practice in real-life sentences to reinforce usage

4. Practice Examples

  1. ¿Ves aquel árbol? → Do you see that tree over there?

  2. Esta camisa me queda pequeña. → This shirt is too small for me.

  3. Esos zapatos son muy caros. → Those shoes are very expensive.

  4. Aquellas montañas son impresionantes. → Those mountains over there are impressive.

5. Summary

Spanish demonstrative adjectives—este, esta, ese, esa, aquel, aquella—are essential for specifying location and clarity in conversation. Remember to:

  • Match gender and number with the noun

  • Choose the correct adjective based on distance

  • Practice with everyday objects and sentences

With consistent practice, using demonstrative adjectives will become second nature, helping you communicate more precisely in Spanish.