How to Use “This” and “That” in Spanish: A Beginner’s Guide to Demonstratives


Learning how to use “this” and “that” in Spanish is essential for clear communication. These words, called demonstratives, help you point out objects, people, or places and specify their location relative to the speaker. In this guide, we’ll explain the rules, provide examples, and offer tips to help you master Spanish demonstratives quickly.

What Are Spanish Demonstratives?

Spanish demonstratives are words that indicate proximity or distance of a noun from the speaker. They work similarly to English “this”, “that”, and “those”, but they must agree in gender (masculine/feminine) and number (singular/plural) with the noun they describe.

The Basic Demonstratives

English Spanish (Masculine) Spanish (Feminine)
This este esta
That ese esa
That (over there) aquel aquella

Plural forms:

  • estos (these)

  • estas (these)

  • esos (those)

  • esas (those)

  • aquellos (those over there)

  • aquellas (those over there)

When to Use “This” vs. “That”

  1. Este / Esta / Estos / Estas (This / These)

    • Used for objects close to the speaker.

    • Example: Este libro es interesante. (This book is interesting.)

    • Example: Estas manzanas son dulces. (These apples are sweet.)

  2. Ese / Esa / Esos / Esas (That / Those)

    • Used for objects closer to the listener or farther from the speaker.

    • Example: Ese coche es rápido. (That car is fast.)

    • Example: Esas sillas son cómodas. (Those chairs are comfortable.)

  3. Aquel / Aquella / Aquellos / Aquellas (That over there / Those over there)

    • Used for objects far from both speaker and listener.

    • Example: Aquel edificio es antiguo. (That building over there is old.)

    • Example: Aquellas montañas son hermosas. (Those mountains over there are beautiful.)

Tips for Using Demonstratives Correctly

  1. Match gender and number: Always ensure the demonstrative agrees with the noun.

    • Incorrect: Este mesa → Correct: Esta mesa

  2. Use context for distance: Think about whether the object is near you, near the listener, or far away.

  3. Combine with nouns: Demonstratives are usually followed by the noun they describe.

    • Example: Esta casa es grande. (This house is big.)

  4. Use alone when clear: If the noun is obvious, the demonstrative can stand alone.

    • Example: ¿Cuál prefieres? Este. (Which one do you prefer? This one.)

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Using “este” for a feminine noun (should be “esta”).

  • Forgetting plural forms when referring to multiple items.

  • Confusing ese and aquel—remember “ese” is closer to the listener, “aquel” is far away.

  • Overusing English patterns—Spanish emphasizes distance and agreement more than English.

Practice Examples

  1. Este teléfono es nuevo, pero aquel es viejo.
    (This phone is new, but that one over there is old.)

  2. Esas flores son hermosas.
    (Those flowers are beautiful.)

  3. ¿Prefieres este libro o ese?
    (Do you prefer this book or that one?)

Conclusion

Mastering “this” and “that” in Spanish will dramatically improve your ability to communicate clearly. By learning the correct forms, matching gender and number, and understanding spatial relationships, you’ll be able to point out objects and people naturally—just like a native speaker. Practice with everyday objects, and soon using Spanish demonstratives will feel effortless.