Wait... there are 12 ways to say “this” or “that” in Spanish?!
Yes. Twelve. Don't worry, you didn’t read that wrong, and no, Spanish isn't trying to confuse you on purpose! It's just that Spanish loves precision, especially when it comes to pointing things out.
So today we’re diving into the difference between “este” vs “ese” vs “aquel”, three tiny but mighty words that will boost your Spanish instantly.
By the end of this lesson, you’ll be able to point at this, that, and even that thing way over there like a native speaker, and without breaking a sweat!
What Are “Este”, “Ese” and “Aquel”?
They’re called demonstrative adjectives, and their job is simple: they help us identify nouns based on how far they are from the speaker (you) and the listener (the person you’re talking to).
In English, we just say:
- This = close to the speaker
- That = not so close (or far away)
But in Spanish, we have three distances instead of two:
- Este = this (close to me, the speaker)
- Ese = that (closer to you, the listener)
- Aquel = that over there (far from both of us)
Imagine you're in a store:
- You're holding a sweater in your hand - “Este suéter.” (this sweater)
- Your friend is holding one - “Ese suéter.” (that sweater)
- There's one on a shelf far away - “Aquel suéter.” (that sweater over there)
Cool, right? Now let’s take a closer look at each one.
“Este” - The Closest One
Use “este” when the object is physically close to you, like in your hand, on your desk, or right in front of you.
Forms of “este”:
- Masculine Singular: Este
- Masculine Plural: Estos
- Femenine Singular: Esta
- Femenine Plural: Estas
Think of:
“This thing here with me.”
Examples:
- Este café está caliente. (This coffee is hot.)
- ¿Te gusta esta canción? (Do you like this song?)
- Estos libros son nuevos. (These books are new.)
- Estas llaves no son mías. (These keys aren’t mine.)
If you can reach out and touch it, “este” is your go-to.
“Ese” - Near the Listener
Now we switch the focus. “Ese” is used for things that are not close to you, but may be close to the person you're talking to. It’s like pointing and saying:
“That one near you!”
Forms of ‘Ese’:
- Masculine Singular: Ese
- Maculines Plural: Esos
- Femenine Singular: Esa
- Femenine Plural: Esas
Examples:
- ¿Qué es ese ruido? (What’s that noise?)
- Esa película ya la vi. (I’ve already seen that movie.)
- Esos zapatos son bonitos. (Those shoes are nice.)
- ¿Quiénes son esas personas? (Who are those people?)
So next time you see someone eating a delicious snack and you want to ask about that snack they’re holding, you’ll know it’s ese!
“Aquel” - Far From Everyone
Now for the dramatic one!
“Aquel” is used for things that are far from both you and the other person — something that neither of you is near. Maybe it’s across the street, or way over on a mountain in the distance.
This is the “that waaay over there” version.
Forms of “aquel”:
Masculine Singular: Aquel
Masculine plural: Aquellos
Femenine Singular: Aquella
Femenine Plural: Aquel
Examples:
Aquel edificio es muy antiguo. (That building over there is very old.)
Me acuerdo de aquella tarde. (I remember that afternoon - long ago or far away.)
Aquellos años fueron difíciles. (Those years were hard - distant in time or space.)
¿Ves aquellas montañas? (Do you see those mountains over there?)
Bonus tip: “Aquel” is also used for emotional distance or past memories - it can add a nostalgic or dramatic touch. Poets love “aquel”.
A Quick Summary: Distance Cheat Sheet
Este - This - Close to me (the speaker)
Ese - That - Close to you (the listener)
Aquel - That (over there) Far from both of us
Easy peasy. Think:
- Este = right here
- Ese = near you
- Aquel = way over there
Why So Many Forms?
Remember, Spanish is a language that loves to match; everything must agree in gender and number with the noun.
So for each of the three demonstratives (este, ese, aquel), you’ll have:
- Masculine singular and plural
- Feminine singular and plural
Total = 3 demonstratives × 4 forms = 12 words!
It may seem like a lot at first, but with practice, it becomes second nature - just like using this and those in English.
Real-Life Practice
Let’s try this in a real situation:
You’re in a park with a friend. There are three dogs:
- One sitting at your feet → Este perro es muy tranquilo.
- One next to your friend → Ese perro quiere jugar.
- One far away near the trees → Aquel perro está ladrando mucho.
Boom. You just used all three like a native.
Common Mistakes to Watch Out For
Mixing up genders: Don’t say “esta libro” - “libro” is masculine, so it should be “este libro.”
Overusing “ese”: Learners often stick with “ese” for everything. Be brave! Try “este” and “aquel” too.
Forgetting agreement in plural: “Estos chicos” (these boys), not “estes chicos.”
Now, here’s a fun little twist in the este vs ese vs aquel saga:
What if you’re not pointing at a specific object like a coffee cup or a pair of shoes, but just wondering what something even is? That’s where the magical words “esto” and “eso” come in.
These are the neutral forms; they’re not masculine or feminine, and they’re used when you're not talking about a specific noun. Let’s say you find a mysterious object on your desk, maybe a weird gadget or some leftover snack from who-knows-when – you’d say “¿Qué es esto?” which means “What is this?” Simple, right? Now imagine your friend is holding something funky in their hands and you're just as confused. You’d say “¿Qué es eso?” - “What is that?”.
These are great when you're asking about things in general, not specific named objects. It’s like Spanish’s way of saying, “Uh… what is this thing?!” without committing to whether it's a boy, a girl, or a plural alien from space.
Final Tips for Mastering “Este vs Ese vs Aquel”
Start with “este” - it’s easiest because you use it for things right in front of you.
Once you’re comfortable, practice spotting things that are close to others (ese) and far away (aquel).
Speak aloud! Point at objects and say their demonstratives out loud. Este vaso. Esa lámpara. Aquella ventana.”
Even just doing that around your house will boost your confidence.
Remember, mastering “este vs ese vs aquel” takes a bit of practice, but once you get it down, your Spanish will sound way more natural and fluent.
Still confused about something? Drop a comment! I’m here to help you through any tricky Spanish grammar, no matter how weird or overwhelming it seems.
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¡Nos vemos la próxima vez!
