Demonstrative pronouns play a crucial role in everyday communication, allowing us to precisely identify people, objects, or places we want to highlight. In Spanish, as in many other languages, these pronouns are an essential element of grammar. They enable us to point to something that is close to us, close to our interlocutor, or something that is distant from both.
In this article, we will take a closer look at demonstrative pronouns in Spanish, their forms, and their use in various contexts. You will learn how to correctly use these pronouns to make your statements clear and precise. You will also discover the differences based on gender (masculine, feminine, neuter) and number (singular, plural), allowing you to fully master this aspect of Spanish grammar.
What are demonstrative pronouns in Spanish?
Known as “pronombres demostrativos,” these are words used to indicate specific people, objects, or places depending on their distance from the speaker and listener. These pronouns serve a similar function to the Polish pronouns “ten,” “ta,” “to,” “ci,” “te,” but in Spanish, they have more forms, which vary depending on gender (masculine, feminine, neuter) and number (singular, plural).
In Spanish, demonstrative pronouns are three-tiered.
They are divided into invariable and variable pronouns.
Invariable Pronouns
The following three demonstrative pronouns are invariable and appear independently (used only as nouns). The distinction between the pronouns esto (this), eso (that), aquello (that over there) defines the distance of the object or person from the speakers, i.e.,
- esto – indicates that the object is closer to the speaker;
- eso – closer to the person being spoken to;
- aquello – distant from both people.
¿Qué es esto? – Esto es un hotel.
What is this? – This is a hotel.
¿Qué es eso? – Eso es un museo.
What is that? – That is a museum.
¿Qué es aquello? – Aquello es una catedral.
What is that over there? – That is a cathedral.
Variable Pronouns
The demonstrative pronouns below are variable by number and gender. They function as adjectives.
| m. | f. | |
| singular | este ese aquel | esta esa aquella |
| plural | estos esos aquellos | estas esas aquellas |
The distinction between the three pronouns este, ese, aquel defines the distance of the object or person from the speakers:
- este – indicates that the object or person is closer to the speaker;
- ese – closer to the person being spoken to;
- aquel – distant from both people.
Accent in Demonstrative Pronouns
The variable demonstrative pronouns este, ese, aquel can also appear independently as nouns. They are accented if the lack of an accent could cause ambiguity in the statement:
| m. | f. | |
| singular | éste ése aquél | ésta ésa aquélla |
| plural | éstos ésos aquéllos | éstas ésas aquéllas |
Éste/Este no me gusta. – I don’t like this one.
Este coche no es como ése/ese. – This car is not like that one.
Este niño es simpático, pero aquél/aquel es antipático. – This child is nice, but that one is not.
Example of a sentence where it is necessary to accent the demonstrative pronoun for clarity:
¿Dónde venden esos coches baratos? – Where do they sell those cheap cars?
¿Dónde venden ésos coches baratos? – Where do those people sell cheap cars?
The difference between the meanings of the three pronouns este, ese, aquel corresponds to the distinction between the adverbs of place:
aquí – here
ahí – here/there
allí – there
Remember:
- este, esta, estos, estas → aquí
- ese, esa, esos, esas → → ahí
- aquel, aquella, aquellos, aquellas → → → allí
The above information about pronouns and example sentences comes from the course Spanish A1. ¡No hay problema!
Summary
Demonstrative pronouns in Spanish are an indispensable element of grammar that allows us to precisely identify people, objects, or places depending on their distance from the speaker and listener.
Key demonstrative pronouns are:
- Este, esta, esto – used to indicate something close to the speaker.
- Ese, esa, eso – used to indicate something close to the person being spoken to.
- Aquel, aquella, aquello – used to indicate something distant from both the speaker and the person being spoken to.
These pronouns have forms adapted to gender (masculine, feminine, neuter) and number (singular, plural). This allows for precise identification of what is being referred to.
