Point Like a Pro in Spanish: este, ese, aquel (and all their forms)

Ever wanted to point at something in Spanish without… pointing? Today you’ll master the trio that Spanish speakers use all day: este, ese, and aquel. You’ll learn what each one means, all their forms (este/esta/estos/estas, etc.), the neuter forms (esto/eso/aquello), and how to avoid common mistakes. Short exercises are sprinkled throughout so you can practice right away.

¿Este, ese o aquel? Distance made easy

Think of these three as a “distance dial.”

  • este = this (near me, aquí)
  • ese = that (near you, ahí)
  • aquel = that over there (far from both, allá)

Spanish loves clarity about distance. If I’m holding a book in my hand: este libro. If the book is on the desk near you: ese libro. If the book is on a high shelf across the room: aquel libro.

Say them out loud with gestures — it really helps!

Spanish
Este café está caliente.
This coffee is hot.
Spanish
¿Puedes pasarme ese bolígrafo?
Can you pass me that pen?
Spanish
Me encanta aquella montaña.
I love that mountain (over there).
🧠 Pick the right demonstrative

Make it agree: gender and number

Demonstratives must agree with the noun:

  • este (m sg), esta (f sg), estos (m pl), estas (f pl)
  • ese (m sg), esa (f sg), esos (m pl), esas (f pl)
  • aquel (m sg), aquella (f sg), aquellos (m pl), aquellas (f pl)

Pattern: -e for masculine singular (este/ese), -a for feminine singular (esta/esa), add -os/-as for plurals. Aquel is the “far” set with its own forms: aquel/aquella/aquellos/aquellas.

este
this (near me) [masculine singular]
det./pron.
Este libro es nuevo.
This book is new.
esa
that (near you) [feminine singular]
det./pron.
Quiero esa camisa.
I want that shirt.
aquellos
those (over there) [masculine plural]
det./pron.
Aquellos edificios son antiguos.
Those buildings over there are old.
esto
this (idea/thing, unspecified) [neuter]
pron.
¿Qué es esto?
What is this?
aquello
that (over there; idea/thing, unspecified) [neuter]
pron.
Aquello fue increíble.
That (over there/that event) was incredible.

zapatos son cómodos (near me).

ese casa → esa casa Casa is feminine → esa casa. aquellos problema → aquellos problemas Plural noun needs plural demonstrative.

Adjetivo o pronombre + el neutro

Demonstratives before a noun act like adjectives: este libro, esa mesa. Used alone, they are pronouns: ¿Cuál quieres? Este.

Neuter forms (esto, eso, aquello) do not have gender/number and do not go with a noun. Use them for ideas, unknown things, or a whole situation:

  • ¿Qué es esto? = What is this (thing/idea)?
  • No entiendo eso. = I don’t understand that.
  • Aquello fue un error. = That (back then/over there) was a mistake.

Tip: If you can name the noun (mesa, libro), use este/esa/aquel with agreement. If you can’t or you’re talking about a whole idea, choose esto/eso/aquello.

Spanish
¿Cuál prefieres? Este o ese.
Which do you prefer? This one or that one.
Spanish
Eso no me parece justo.
That doesn’t seem fair to me.
Spanish
Aquello cambió mi vida.
That (back then/over there) changed my life.
🔠 Put the words in order

Start with the demonstrative + noun.

🧠 Adjective vs pronoun, and neuter
💬 Mini diálogo en la tienda

no es lo que pedí (referring to a wrong order on the table).

Quick checks

  • Word order: demonstrative usually comes before the noun: esta foto (not foto esta in neutral statements).
  • Agreement is non‑negotiable: esas personas, aquellos días.
  • Neuter = ideas/situations: eso, esto, aquello — never with a noun.

Try a few more on your own:

  • I’m wearing this jacket (near me): ___ chaqueta.
  • I don’t like that idea (we both just mentioned it): No me gusta ___.
  • Those trees over there are tall: ___ árboles son altos.

Say them out loud! Speaking with este/ese/aquel will quickly become natural.

chaqueta es nueva (you are touching it).

No me gusta (we’re talking about an idea).

árboles son altos (far away).

Resumen y práctica

  • este/esta/estos/estas = near me
  • ese/esa/esos/esas = near you
  • aquel/aquella/aquellos/aquellas = far from both (or distant in time)
  • neuter: esto/eso/aquello = ideas, unknown “things,” whole situations

Keep noticing distance in real conversations. Next time you’re in a café, try asking: “¿Me pasas ese vaso?” or telling a story: “Aquellos días fueron difíciles, pero esto me hace feliz.”

You’ve got this — ¡lo tienes! Practice a little every day and este, ese y aquel will soon feel natural.