Spanish vs. English Adjectives: Why 'That' Has Two Different Meanings in Spanish


When you are learning Spanish, you quickly realize that it isn't just about learning new words; it is about learning a new way to see the world. One of the most fascinating—and challenging—differences between English and Spanish lies in how we point to objects.

In English, we have a very simple system: this and that.

  • This (near you)

  • That (far from you)

Spanish, however, decided to take things a step further. In Spanish, "that" is not just one word. It is divided into two entirely different words based on distance. If you have ever wondered why your Spanish teacher keeps correcting your use of ese versus aquel, this guide is for you.

The Spanish Philosophy: Precision in Space

Spanish is a highly descriptive language, and this precision extends to spatial relationships. The Spanish demonstrative system breaks down distance into three distinct zones, not just two.

  1. Este/Esta (Close): Right here, within arm's reach.

  2. Ese/Esa (Moderate Distance): There, near the person you are speaking to.

  3. Aquel/Aquella (Far): Way over there, far away from both of you.

This means that while English uses that for anything not directly in your hand, Spanish forces you to decide how far "that" actually is.

ESE vs. AQUEL: Mastering the Two "Thats"

The heart of the confusion for English speakers is deciding between ese and aquel. Both translate to "that," but they have different emotional and physical contexts.

1. Ese / Esa / Esos / Esas (That / Those - Near Listener)

Use the ese family when the object is away from you, but close to the person you are talking to. It is the perfect word to use during a conversation when pointing to something in the other person's space.

  • Scenario: Your friend is holding a phone.

  • Spanish: ¿De quién es ese teléfono? (Whose is that phone?)

2. Aquel / Aquella / Aquellos / Aquellas (That / Those - Far Away)

Use the aquel family when the object is far away from both you and your listener. It is best used for things across the street, on the other side of a room, or in the distant past.

  • Scenario: You are pointing at a distant building on a hill.

  • Spanish: Me encanta aquel edificio. (I love that building over there.)

Visualization of Distance

To understand this instantly, think of it in terms of a dialogue between two people.

Why the Difference Matters

Using the wrong "that" won't make you unintelligible, but using the correct one makes you sound much more fluent and natural.

  • Using ese for something far away (aquel) makes it sound like it is closer than it actually is.

  • Using aquel for something right next to the listener (ese) makes the distance seem unnecessarily dramatic.

Summary Checklist for Choosing the Right Word

DistanceEnglishSpanish
HereThisEste / Esta
There (Near listener)ThatEse / Esa
Way Over ThereThatAquel / Aquella

Remember, all these words must also match the gender and number of the noun they are pointing to.

Conclusion: Pointing with Confidence

Understanding the difference between ese and aquel is not just about grammar; it is about adopting a more precise way of describing your environment. Once you master this system, you will find that you are not just translating words—you are truly thinking in Spanish.

Practice by looking around your room and identifying items at different distances. It is the fastest way to make this concept second nature!


Master Spanish Demonstrative Adjectives: A Friendly Guide to Getting It Right Every Time



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