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!
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:
But in Spanish, we have three distances instead of two:
Imagine you're in a store:
Cool, right? Now let’s take a closer look at each 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”:
Think of:
“This thing here with me.”
Examples:
If you can reach out and touch it, “este” is your go-to.
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’:
Examples:
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!
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”.
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:
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:
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.
Let’s try this in a real situation:
You’re in a park with a friend. There are three dogs:
Boom. You just used all three like a native.
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.
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!