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Spanish (Spain) • Level 1 • GRAMMAR

demonstrative pronouns

💡 Grammar Rule

Demonstrative Pronouns in Spanish

Demonstrative pronouns are used to point out specific people, objects, or ideas relative to the speaker's position. Unlike demonstrative adjectives (which accompany a noun, e.g., "this book"), pronouns replace the noun entirely (e.g., "I want this one").

1. Gendered Pronouns (Specific Nouns)

When referring to a specific noun (like a car, a house, or a person), the pronoun must agree in gender (masculine/feminine) and number (singular/plural) with the noun it replaces.

They are categorized by distance from the speaker:

  • Close (This one / These): Used for things within reach.
    • Masculine: este (singular), estos (plural)
    • Feminine: esta (singular), estas (plural)
  • Middle Distance (That one / Those): Used for things near the listener or a short distance away.
    • Masculine: ese (singular), esos (plural)
    • Feminine: esa (singular), esas (plural)
  • Far Distance (That one over there / Those over there): Used for things far from both speaker and listener.
    • Masculine: aquel (singular), aquellos (plural)
    • Feminine: aquella (singular), aquellas (plural)

Examples:

  • No me gusta este coche, prefiero ese. (I don't like this car, I prefer that one.)
  • Mis hermanas son aquellas de rojo. (My sisters are those over there in red.)
Important Rule on Accents (Tildes):
Traditionally, these pronouns carried a written accent (e.g., éste, ésa) to distinguish them from adjectives. However, current spelling norms established by the Royal Spanish Academy (RAE) state that accents should be omitted. You only need to use the accent mark if the sentence is ambiguous (interpreted in two different ways) without it. In standard modern writing, you will rarely see the accent.

2. Neuter Demonstrative Pronouns

Spanish has three special forms used for abstract concepts, situations, ideas, or unidentified objects. These are invariable (they do not change for plural or gender) and never take an accent mark.

  • Esto (This matter/thing/situation - close)
  • Eso (That matter/thing/situation - medium distance)
  • Aquello (That matter/thing/situation - far)

Usage:

  • Referring to an unknown object: ¿Qué es esto? (What is this?)
  • Referring to a statement or situation: Eso es verdad. (That is true.)
  • Common Expressions:
    • ¡Eso es! (That's it! / Exactly!)
    • Por eso... (That is why...)
    • ¿Y eso? (Why is that? / How come?)
Whose mobile phone is this?
¿De quién es este móvil?
That one is Pedro’s.
Ese es de Pedro.
I can’t find my glasses.
No encuentro mis gafas.
Are they these ones?
¿Son estas?
What is this?
¿Qué es esto?
It is a gift for you.
Es un regalo para ti.
I like this restaurant a lot.
Me gusta mucho este restaurante.
Me too, but I prefer that one over there.
A mí también, pero prefiero aquel.
Which is your suitcase?
¿Cuál es tu maleta?
It is that red one over there.
Es aquella roja.
I am very tired.
Estoy muy cansado.
That’s why you have to sleep.
Por eso tienes que dormir.
Do you like these shoes?
¿Te gustan estos zapatos?
No, I prefer those black ones.
No, prefiero esos negros.
They say it is going to snow.
Dicen que va a nevar.
That is not true.
Eso no es verdad.
Which of the girls is Maria?
¿Cuál de las chicas es María?
It is that one, the tall one.
Es esa, la alta.
We have already finished the work.
Ya hemos terminado el trabajo.
That’s it! Very good.
¡Eso es! Muy bien.
How much does this one cost?
¿Cuánto cuesta este?
This one is cheap, only ten euros.
Este es barato, solo diez euros.
I’m not going to the gym today.
Hoy no voy al gimnasio.
How come? Are you sick?
¿Y eso? ¿Estás enfermo?
Do you want these flowers?
¿Quieres estas flores?
No, I want those over there from the garden.
No, quiero aquellas del jardín.
I don’t understand anything.
No entiendo nada.
That is normal at the beginning.
Eso es normal al principio.
Who are those boys?
¿Quiénes son esos chicos?
Those ones? They are my cousins.
¿Esos? Son mis primos.
Look how pretty these paintings are.
Mira qué bonitos son estos cuadros.
Yes, but those ones over there are more original.
Sí, pero aquellos son más originales.
What do you think of this?
¿Qué opinas de esto?
This is very complicated.
Esto es muy complicado.
I want a new T-shirt.
Quiero una camiseta nueva.
Buy this one, it’s very cool.
Compra esta, es muy chula.
Are these books yours?
¿Son tuyos estos libros?
These ones no, mine are those ones.
Estos no, los míos son esos.
I didn’t like the party last night.
No me gustó la fiesta de anoche.
Yes, that was a disaster.
Sí, aquello fue un desastre.
Which one do you prefer?
¿Cuál prefieres?
I’ll take this one.
Me quedo con este.
I think you are right.
Creo que tienes razón.
I hope so.
Eso espero.

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