Understanding how to say “this” in Spanish is crucial for basic communication and describing objects or situations near you. The Spanish language offers different forms of “this” depending on the gender and number of the noun it modifies.
This article will provide a detailed explanation of these forms, their usage, and common mistakes to avoid. Whether you’re a beginner or an intermediate learner, this guide will help you confidently use “this” in Spanish.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Definition of “This” in Spanish
- Structural Breakdown
- Types and Categories
- Examples
- Usage Rules
- Common Mistakes
- Practice Exercises
- Advanced Topics
- FAQ
- Conclusion
Definition of “This” in Spanish
In Spanish, “this” is translated using demonstrative adjectives and pronouns. These words indicate proximity or nearness to the speaker. The specific word used depends on the gender (masculine or feminine) and number (singular or plural) of the noun being referred to. The forms are este (masculine singular), esta (feminine singular), estos (masculine plural), estas (feminine plural), and esto (neuter). Understanding the difference between these forms is crucial for accurate and fluent Spanish communication.
Demonstrative adjectives modify nouns, while demonstrative pronouns replace nouns. For example, in the sentence “Este libro es interesante” (“This book is interesting”), este is a demonstrative adjective modifying the noun libro. In the sentence “Este es interesante” (“This is interesting”), este is a demonstrative pronoun replacing the noun libro.
Structural Breakdown
The structure of demonstrative adjectives and pronouns in Spanish is based on a simple system of gender and number agreement. There are four basic forms for referring to specific nouns: masculine singular, feminine singular, masculine plural, and feminine plural.
Additionally, there is a neuter form used when referring to abstract concepts or unidentified objects. The placement of the demonstrative adjective is typically before the noun it modifies, similar to English.
The neuter form, esto, is invariable, meaning it doesn’t change based on gender or number. It is used to refer to a general idea, situation, or an unidentified object. For instance, “¿Qué es esto?” translates to “What is this?” where “esto” refers to something unknown.
Types and Categories
Masculine Singular: Este
Este is used to refer to a singular, masculine noun that is close to the speaker. It functions as both an adjective and a pronoun. As an adjective, it precedes the noun. As a pronoun, it stands alone, replacing the noun.
For example:
* Este coche es nuevo. (This car is new.) – Adjective
* Este es mi coche. (This is my car.) – Pronoun
Feminine Singular: Esta
Esta is used to refer to a singular, feminine noun that is close to the speaker. Similar to este, it can function as both an adjective and a pronoun.
For example:
* Esta casa es grande. (This house is big.) – Adjective
* Esta es mi casa. (This is my house.) – Pronoun
Masculine Plural: Estos
Estos is used to refer to multiple masculine nouns that are close to the speaker. It follows the same pattern as the singular forms, functioning as both an adjective and a pronoun.
For example:
* Estos libros son interesantes. (These books are interesting.) – Adjective
* Estos son mis libros. (These are my books.) – Pronoun
Feminine Plural: Estas
Estas is used to refer to multiple feminine nouns that are close to the speaker. It also functions as both an adjective and a pronoun.
For example:
* Estas flores son bonitas. (These flowers are beautiful.) – Adjective
* Estas son mis flores. (These are my flowers.) – Pronoun
Neuter Demonstrative Pronouns: Esto
Esto is a neuter demonstrative pronoun. Unlike the other forms, it does not have a corresponding adjective form and does not refer to specific nouns. Instead, it refers to ideas, situations, or unidentified objects. It is invariable, meaning it does not change based on gender or number.
For example:
* ¿Qué es esto? (What is this?)
* Esto es importante. (This is important.)
Examples
The following tables provide examples of how to use este, esta, estos, estas, and esto in various contexts. Understanding these examples will help you grasp the nuances of using “this” in Spanish effectively.
Masculine Singular Examples
The table below provides a range of examples for the masculine singular form, este, used both as an adjective and a pronoun.
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| Este libro es muy interesante. | This book is very interesting. |
| Este coche es mío. | This car is mine. |
| Este hombre es mi padre. | This man is my father. |
| Este problema es difícil. | This problem is difficult. |
| Este restaurante es muy bueno. | This restaurant is very good. |
| Este es el mejor día de mi vida. | This is the best day of my life. |
| ¿Quieres este? | Do you want this one? |
| Este café está delicioso. | This coffee is delicious. |
| Este tren llega tarde. | This train is late. |
| Este árbol es muy alto. | This tree is very tall. |
| Este es mi hermano. | This is my brother. |
| Este verano hace mucho calor. | This summer is very hot. |
| Este regalo es para ti. | This gift is for you. |
| Este juego es muy divertido. | This game is very fun. |
| Este programa es educativo. | This program is educational. |
| Este camino es peligroso. | This path is dangerous. |
| Este examen es importante. | This exam is important. |
| Este proyecto es un éxito. | This project is a success. |
| Este cuadro es hermoso. | This painting is beautiful. |
| Este reloj es caro. | This watch is expensive. |
| Este zapato me queda bien. | This shoe fits me well. |
| Este mensaje es urgente. | This message is urgent. |
| Este lugar es tranquilo. | This place is quiet. |
| Este papel es importante. | This paper is important. |
| Este vaso está lleno. | This glass is full. |
| Este animal es salvaje. | This animal is wild. |
| Este instrumento es nuevo. | This instrument is new. |
Feminine Singular Examples
The table below provides a range of examples for the feminine singular form, esta, used both as an adjective and a pronoun.
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| Esta casa es muy bonita. | This house is very beautiful. |
| Esta mesa es de madera. | This table is made of wood. |
| Esta silla es cómoda. | This chair is comfortable. |
| Esta flor huele bien. | This flower smells good. |
| Esta canción es mi favorita. | This song is my favorite. |
| Esta es la mejor película que he visto. | This is the best movie I have seen. |
| ¿Quieres esta? | Do you want this one? |
| Esta comida está deliciosa. | This food is delicious. |
| Esta noche es especial. | This night is special. |
| Esta puerta está cerrada. | This door is closed. |
| Esta es mi hermana. | This is my sister. |
| Esta falda es nueva. | This skirt is new. |
| Esta pregunta es difícil. | This question is difficult. |
| Esta idea es genial. | This idea is great. |
| Esta oportunidad es única. | This opportunity is unique. |
| Esta ventana está abierta. | This window is open. |
| Esta información es útil. | This information is useful. |
| Esta ciudad es hermosa. | This city is beautiful. |
| Esta playa es tranquila. | This beach is quiet. |
| Esta revista es interesante. | This magazine is interesting. |
| Esta camisa es de algodón. | This shirt is made of cotton. |
| Esta lección es fácil. | This lesson is easy. |
| Esta situación es complicada. | This situation is complicated. |
| Esta agua está fría. | This water is cold. |
| Esta historia es conmovedora. | This story is touching. |
| Esta cultura es rica. | This culture is rich. |
| Esta experiencia es inolvidable. | This experience is unforgettable. |
Masculine Plural Examples
The table below provides a range of examples for the masculine plural form, estos, used both as an adjective and a pronoun.
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| Estos libros son muy interesantes. | These books are very interesting. |
| Estos coches son míos. | These cars are mine. |
| Estos hombres son mis padres. | These men are my fathers. |
| Estos problemas son difíciles. | These problems are difficult. |
| Estos restaurantes son muy buenos. | These restaurants are very good. |
| Estos son los mejores días de mi vida. | These are the best days of my life. |
| ¿Quieres estos? | Do you want these ones? |
| Estos cafés están deliciosos. | These coffees are delicious. |
| Estos trenes llegan tarde. | These trains are late. |
| Estos árboles son muy altos. | These trees are very tall. |
| Estos son mis hermanos. | These are my brothers. |
| Estos veranos hacen mucho calor. | These summers are very hot. |
| Estos regalos son para ti. | These gifts are for you. |
| Estos juegos son muy divertidos. | These games are very fun. |
| Estos programas son educativos. | These programs are educational. |
| Estos caminos son peligrosos. | These paths are dangerous. |
| Estos exámenes son importantes. | These exams are important. |
| Estos proyectos son un éxito. | These projects are a success. |
| Estos cuadros son hermosos. | These paintings are beautiful. |
| Estos relojes son caros. | These watches are expensive. |
| Estos zapatos me quedan bien. | These shoes fit me well. |
| Estos mensajes son urgentes. | These messages are urgent. |
| Estos lugares son tranquilos. | These places are quiet. |
| Estos papeles son importantes. | These papers are important. |
| Estos vasos están llenos. | These glasses are full. |
| Estos animales son salvajes. | These animals are wild. |
| Estos instrumentos son nuevos. | These instruments are new. |
Feminine Plural Examples
The table below provides a range of examples for the feminine plural form, estas, used both as an adjective and a pronoun.
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| Estas casas son muy bonitas. | These houses are very beautiful. |
| Estas mesas son de madera. | These tables are made of wood. |
| Estas sillas son cómodas. | These chairs are comfortable. |
| Estas flores huelen bien. | These flowers smell good. |
| Estas canciones son mis favoritas. | These songs are my favorites. |
| Estas son las mejores películas que he visto. | These are the best movies I have seen. |
| ¿Quieres estas? | Do you want these ones? |
| Estas comidas están deliciosas. | These meals are delicious. |
| Estas noches son especiales. | These nights are special. |
| Estas puertas están cerradas. | These doors are closed. |
| Estas son mis hermanas. | These are my sisters. |
| Estas faldas son nuevas. | These skirts are new. |
| Estas preguntas son difíciles. | These questions are difficult. |
| Estas ideas son geniales. | These ideas are great. |
| Estas oportunidades son únicas. | These opportunities are unique. |
| Estas ventanas están abiertas. | These windows are open. |
| Estas informaciones son útiles. | This information is useful. |
| Estas ciudades son hermosas. | These cities are beautiful. |
| Estas playas son tranquilas. | These beaches are quiet. |
| Estas revistas son interesantes. | These magazines are interesting. |
| Estas camisas son de algodón. | These shirts are made of cotton. |
| Estas lecciones son fáciles. | These lessons are easy. |
| Estas situaciones son complicadas. | These situations are complicated. |
| Estas aguas están frías. | These waters are cold. |
| Estas historias son conmovedoras. | These stories are touching. |
| Estas culturas son ricas. | These cultures are rich. |
| Estas experiencias son inolvidables. | These experiences are unforgettable. |
Neuter Demonstrative Pronoun Examples
The table below provides examples of the neuter demonstrative pronoun, esto, used to refer to general ideas, situations, or unidentified objects.
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| ¿Qué es esto? | What is this? |
| Esto es importante. | This is important. |
| Esto es lo que quiero. | This is what I want. |
| Esto es increíble. | This is incredible. |
| Esto es un secreto. | This is a secret. |
| Esto es un problema. | This is a problem. |
| Esto es una sorpresa. | This is a surprise. |
| Esto es difícil de entender. | This is difficult to understand. |
| Esto es fácil de hacer. | This is easy to do. |
| Esto es lo que necesito. | This is what I need. |
| Esto no es justo. | This is not fair. |
| Esto me hace feliz. | This makes me happy. |
| Esto es todo. | This is all. |
| Esto es para ti. | This is for you. |
| Esto es una locura. | This is crazy. |
| Esto es interesante. | This is interesting. |
| Esto es un ejemplo. | This is an example. |
| Esto es una broma. | This is a joke. |
| Esto es un error. | This is a mistake. |
| Esto es un desastre. | This is a disaster. |
| Esto es una maravilla. | This is a wonder. |
| Esto es una oportunidad. | This is an opportunity. |
| Esto es una experiencia. | This is an experience. |
| Esto es una aventura. | This is an adventure. |
| Esto es una bendición. | This is a blessing. |
| Esto es una pesadilla. | This is a nightmare. |
| Esto es una realidad. | This is a reality. |
Usage Rules
Agreement with Nouns
The most fundamental rule is that demonstrative adjectives (este, esta, estos, estas) must agree in gender and number with the noun they modify. This means that if the noun is masculine singular, you must use este; if it’s feminine singular, you use esta; if it’s masculine plural, you use estos; and if it’s feminine plural, you use estas. Failure to agree can lead to confusion and grammatical errors.
For example, you would say “Este libro” (this book) because libro is masculine singular, but you would say “Esta mesa” (this table) because mesa is feminine singular.
Adjective vs. Pronoun
It’s important to distinguish between when to use a demonstrative adjective and when to use a demonstrative pronoun. As mentioned earlier, demonstrative adjectives modify nouns, while demonstrative pronouns replace them.
If the noun is present in the sentence, use the adjective. If the noun is implied or already understood, use the pronoun.
For example:
* Adjective: Esta manzana es roja. (This apple is red.)
* Pronoun: Esta es roja. (This one is red.)
Omission of the Noun
In certain contexts, the noun can be omitted when it is clear from the context. In these cases, the demonstrative pronoun is used alone.
This is common when making comparisons or choices.
For example:
* ¿Cuál prefieres, este o aquel? (Which do you prefer, this one or that one?) – Here, the noun is omitted but understood.
Exceptions and Special Cases
While the rules for using “this” in Spanish are generally straightforward, there are a few exceptions and special cases to be aware of. One common point of confusion is the use of the neuter pronoun esto. Remember that esto does not have a corresponding adjective form and is only used as a pronoun to refer to abstract concepts or unidentified objects.
Another exception occurs with the word “agua” (water). Although “agua” is feminine, it takes the masculine singular article “el” in the singular form to avoid the awkward pronunciation of “la agua.” However, the demonstrative adjective remains feminine: Esta agua (this water). In the plural, it’s straightforward: Estas aguas (these waters).
Common Mistakes
One of the most common mistakes is using the wrong gender or number for the demonstrative adjective or pronoun. For instance, saying “Este mesa” instead of “Esta mesa” is a frequent error among beginners.
Another common mistake is using esto when referring to a specific noun. Remember, esto is only for abstract concepts or unidentified objects. For example, it would be incorrect to say “Esto libro es interesante“; the correct form is “Este libro es interesante.”
Here are some examples of common mistakes and their corrections:
| Incorrect | Correct | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Este mesa es grande. | Esta mesa es grande. | “Mesa” is feminine, so “esta” should be used. |
| Esta libro es interesante. | Este libro es interesante. | “Libro” is masculine, so “este” should be used. |
| Estos casa son bonitas. | Estas casas son bonitas. | “Casas” is feminine plural, so “estas” should be used. |
| Estas libros son caros. | Estos libros son caros. | “Libros” is masculine plural, so “estos” should be used. |
| Esto libro es mío. | Este libro es mío. | “Esto” cannot be used with specific nouns like “libro”. |
| Este es importante (referring to a specific book). | Éste es importante (referring to a specific book). | While grammatically correct, using the accent mark to differentiate the pronoun is becoming less common. Context usually clarifies the meaning. |
Practice Exercises
The following exercises will help you practice using “this” in Spanish. Work through each exercise carefully and check your answers against the solutions provided.
Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks
Fill in the blanks with the correct form of “this” (este, esta, estos, estas, esto).
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| 1. ______ es mi coche. | Este |
| 2. ______ casa es muy grande. | Esta |
| 3. ______ libros son interesantes. | Estos |
| 4. ______ flores son bonitas. | Estas |
| 5. ¿Qué es ______? | Esto |
| 6. ______ problema es muy complicado. | Este |
| 7. ______ noche es muy especial. | Esta |
| 8. ______ zapatos son muy caros. | Estos |
| 9. ______ camisas son de algodón. | Estas |
| 10. ______ es lo que necesito. | Esto |
Exercise 2: Translation
Translate the following sentences into Spanish using the correct form of “this”.
| English | Spanish |
|---|---|
| 1. This book is mine. | Este libro es mío. |
| 2. This table is old. | Esta mesa es vieja. |
| 3. These cars are fast. | Estos coches son rápidos. |
| 4. These flowers are red. | Estas flores son rojas. |
| 5. This is important. | Esto es importante. |
| 6. This man is my friend. | Este hombre es mi amigo. |
| 7. This woman is my mother. | Esta mujer es mi madre. |
| 8. These houses are expensive. | Estas casas son caras. |
| 9. These dogs are big. | Estos perros son grandes. |
| 10. What is this? | ¿Qué es esto? |
Exercise 3: Error Correction
Identify and correct the errors in the following sentences.
| Incorrect | Correct |
|---|---|
| 1. Este mesa es bonita. | Esta mesa es bonita. |
| 2. Esta libro es interesante. | Este libro es interesante. |
| 3. Estos casa son grandes. | Estas casas son grandes. |
| 4. Estas libro son nuevos. | Estos libros son nuevos. |
| 5. Esto coche es mío. | Este coche es mío. |
| 6. Este es mi hermana. | Esta es mi hermana. |
| 7. Esta son mis amigos. | Estos son mis amigos. |
| 8. Estos es importante. | Esto es importante. |
| 9. Estas es mi problema. | Este es mi problema. |
| 10. Esto manzana es roja. | Esta manzana es roja. |
Advanced Topics
Demonstrative Adverbs: Aquí, Acá
While this article focuses on demonstrative adjectives and pronouns, it’s worth mentioning demonstrative adverbs, which indicate location. Aquí and acá both mean “here,” but aquí generally indicates a more precise location than acá. For example, “Está aquí” means “It’s right here,” while “Está acá” means “It’s around here.”
The choice between aquí and acá is often regional, with some Spanish-speaking countries preferring one over the other. In many cases, they are interchangeable.
Formal vs. Informal Usage
The use of demonstrative adjectives and pronouns does not significantly change between formal and informal contexts. However, the overall tone and vocabulary used in the sentence may differ.
In formal situations, you might choose more sophisticated vocabulary and sentence structures, but the basic rules for using “this” remain the same.
FAQ
Q: What’s the difference between este and esto?
A: Este is a demonstrative adjective or pronoun used to refer to masculine singular nouns, while esto is a neuter demonstrative pronoun used to refer to abstract ideas, situations, or unidentified objects. Este modifies or replaces a noun; esto does not.
Q: Can I use esto to refer to a specific object if I don’t know its name?
A: Yes, you can use esto to refer to an unidentified object when you don’t know its name or gender. However, if you later learn the object’s name and gender, you should switch to the appropriate form (este or esta).
Q: Is it necessary to use the accent mark on demonstrative pronouns (éste, ésta, ésos, ésas)?
A: Traditionally, the accent mark was used to distinguish demonstrative pronouns from demonstrative adjectives. However, modern usage often omits the accent mark, relying on context to differentiate between the two. While using the accent mark is not incorrect, it is becoming less common.
Q: Are there regional variations in the use of demonstrative adjectives and pronouns?
A: While the basic rules remain consistent across Spanish-speaking regions, some variations exist in pronunciation and colloquial usage. For example, the preference between aquí and acá (demonstrative adverbs meaning “here”) varies regionally.
Conclusion
Mastering the use of “this” in Spanish requires understanding the different forms (este, esta, estos, estas, esto) and their proper usage. Pay attention to gender and number agreement, distinguish between adjectives and pronouns, and be aware of common mistakes. With practice and attention to detail, you can confidently and accurately use “this” in your Spanish communication. Remember to immerse yourself in the language through reading, listening, and speaking to further refine your skills.