How to Say “This” in Spanish: A Comprehensive Guide
Mastering demonstrative adjectives and pronouns is crucial for clear communication in Spanish. The word “this” can be translated in several ways depending on the gender and number of the noun it modifies or replaces. This guide provides a detailed exploration of how to accurately express “this” in Spanish, covering its various forms, usage rules, common mistakes, and practical exercises. Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced learner, this article will help you confidently navigate the nuances of Spanish demonstratives.
Understanding the correct usage of este, esta, esto, and their plural forms is essential for constructing grammatically correct and natural-sounding sentences. This article will equip you with the knowledge and practice needed to use these words effectively in your Spanish conversations and writing. Dive in to unlock the secrets of Spanish demonstratives and elevate your language skills!
Table of Contents
- Definition of Demonstrative Adjectives and Pronouns
- Structural Breakdown
- Types and Categories of “This” in Spanish
- Examples of “This” in Spanish
- Usage Rules
- Common Mistakes
- Practice Exercises
- Advanced Topics
- FAQ
- Conclusion
Definition of Demonstrative Adjectives and Pronouns
Demonstrative adjectives and pronouns are words used to point out specific people, places, or things. In Spanish, the word “this” is represented by a set of demonstratives that vary depending on the gender and number of the noun they modify or replace. Understanding the distinction between demonstrative adjectives and pronouns is crucial for correct usage.
Demonstrative adjectives modify nouns, providing information about their proximity to the speaker. They always precede the noun they describe and must agree in gender and number. Examples include este libro (this book) and esta casa (this house).
Demonstrative pronouns replace nouns, avoiding repetition and maintaining clarity. They can stand alone in a sentence and also need to agree in gender and number with the noun they replace. Examples include Quiero este (I want this one – masculine) and Prefiero esta (I prefer this one – feminine).
Structural Breakdown
The structure of demonstrative adjectives and pronouns in Spanish is based on gender (masculine, feminine, neuter) and number (singular, plural). Here’s a breakdown of the different forms of “this”:
- Masculine Singular: Este (This)
- Feminine Singular: Esta (This)
- Neuter: Esto (This – refers to an idea or concept)
- Masculine Plural: Estos (These)
- Feminine Plural: Estas (These)
The neuter form, esto, is used to refer to abstract ideas, situations, or unspecified things. It does not have a gender and is always singular.
Types and Categories of “This” in Spanish
The Spanish word for “this” varies depending on the gender and number of the noun it refers to. Here’s a detailed look at each form:
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.
Example as an adjective: Este libro es interesante. (This book is interesting.)
Example as a pronoun: Quiero este. (I want this one.)
Feminine Singular: Esta
Esta is used to refer to a singular, feminine noun that is close to the speaker. Like este, it can be an adjective or a pronoun.
Example as an adjective: Esta casa es grande. (This house is big.)
Example as a pronoun: Prefiero esta. (I prefer this one.)
Neuter: Esto
Esto is used to refer to an abstract idea, situation, or unspecified thing. It is always singular and does not have a gender. It functions only as a pronoun.
Example: Esto es importante. (This is important.)
Example: No entiendo esto. (I don’t understand this.)
Masculine Plural: Estos
Estos is used to refer to multiple masculine nouns that are close to the speaker. It can be used as an adjective or a pronoun.
Example as an adjective: Estos libros son interesantes. (These books are interesting.)
Example as a pronoun: Quiero estos. (I want these.)
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.
Example as an adjective: Estas casas son grandes. (These houses are big.)
Example as a pronoun: Prefiero estas. (I prefer these.)
Examples of “This” in Spanish
To solidify your understanding, let’s explore a wide range of examples for each form of “this” in Spanish.
Examples with Este
The following table provides examples of este used both as an adjective and a pronoun, demonstrating its application in various contexts. Notice how “este” always refers to a singular, masculine noun.
| English | Spanish | Type (Adjective/Pronoun) |
|---|---|---|
| This car is new. | Este coche es nuevo. | Adjective |
| I want this one. | Quiero este. | Pronoun |
| This man is tall. | Este hombre es alto. | Adjective |
| Do you like this? | ¿Te gusta este? | Pronoun |
| This is my friend. | Este es mi amigo. | Adjective |
| I need this. | Necesito este. | Pronoun |
| This problem is difficult. | Este problema es difícil. | Adjective |
| Choose this one. | Elige este. | Pronoun |
| This dog is friendly. | Este perro es amigable. | Adjective |
| This is what I wanted. | Este es lo que quería. | Pronoun |
| This is the best option. | Esta es la mejor opción. | Adjective |
| I’ll take this one. | Me llevo este. | Pronoun |
| This game is fun. | Este juego es divertido. | Adjective |
| This one is mine. | Este es mío. | Pronoun |
| This book is interesting. | Este libro es interesante. | Adjective |
| This is the one I was talking about. | Este es del que te hablaba. | Pronoun |
| This class is long. | Este clase es larga. | Adjective |
| He chose this. | El eligió este. | Pronoun |
| This shirt is expensive. | Este camisa es caro. | Adjective |
| I saw this. | Vi este. | Pronoun |
| This phone is new. | Este teléfono es nuevo. | Adjective |
| I like this. | Me gusta este. | Pronoun |
| This house is beautiful. | Este casa es hermosa. | Adjective |
| I found this. | Encontré este. | Pronoun |
| This song is great. | Este canción es genial. | Adjective |
| I want this. | Quiero este. | Pronoun |
Examples with Esta
The following table features examples of esta, which is used to indicate a singular, feminine noun. Note the agreement between esta and the feminine nouns in the examples.
| English | Spanish | Type (Adjective/Pronoun) |
|---|---|---|
| This house is beautiful. | Esta casa es hermosa. | Adjective |
| I prefer this one. | Prefiero esta. | Pronoun |
| This woman is kind. | Esta mujer es amable. | Adjective |
| Do you need this? | ¿Necesitas esta? | Pronoun |
| This is my sister. | Esta es mi hermana. | Adjective |
| I bought this. | Compré esta. | Pronoun |
| This problem is easy. | Esta problema es fácil. | Adjective |
| Choose this one. | Elige esta. | Pronoun |
| This cat is cute. | Esta gata es linda. | Adjective |
| This is what I need. | Esta es lo que necesito. | Pronoun |
| This is the best idea. | Está es la mejor idea. | Adjective |
| I’ll take this one. | Me llevo esta. | Pronoun |
| This party is fun. | Esta fiesta es divertida. | Adjective |
| This one is hers. | Está es de ella. | Pronoun |
| This table is old. | Esta mesa es vieja. | Adjective |
| This is the one that I want. | Está es la que quiero. | Pronoun |
| This car is fast. | Esta coche es rapido. | Adjective |
| He picked this. | El recogió esta. | Pronoun |
| This dress is new. | Está vestido es nuevo. | Adjective |
| I saw this. | Vi esta. | Pronoun |
| This phone is expensive. | Está teléfono es caro. | Adjective |
| I love this. | Amo esta. | Pronoun |
| This flower is pretty. | Está flor es bonita. | Adjective |
| I found this. | Encontré esta. | Pronoun |
| This song is beautiful. | Está canción es hermosa. | Adjective |
| I like this. | Me gusta esta. | Pronoun |
Examples with Esto
Esto is used to refer to a general idea, concept, or situation. It is always singular and neuter and functions only as a pronoun.
| English | Spanish |
|---|---|
| This is important. | Esto es importante. |
| I don’t understand this. | No entiendo esto. |
| This is what I think. | Esto es lo que pienso. |
| This is incredible. | Esto es increíble. |
| This is a problem. | Esto es un problema. |
| This is good. | Esto es bueno. |
| I didn’t expect this. | No esperaba esto. |
| This is strange. | Esto es extraño. |
| This is difficult. | Esto es difícil. |
| I know this. | Sé esto. |
| This is the truth. | Esto es la verdad. |
| This is not fair. | Esto no es justo. |
| This makes me happy. | Esto me hace feliz. |
| This is necessary. | Esto es necesario. |
| This is a secret. | Esto es un secreto. |
| This is what I need to do. | Esto es lo que necesito hacer. |
| This is a surprise. | Esto es una sorpresa. |
| This is my opinion. | Esto es mi opinión. |
| This is complicated. | Esto es complicado. |
| This is all I have. | Esto es todo lo que tengo. |
| This is the result. | Esto es el resultado. |
| This is the plan. | Esto es el plan. |
| This is the goal. | Esto es la meta. |
| This is the question. | Esto es la pregunta. |
| This is the answer. | Esto es la respuesta. |
Examples with Estos
The following table showcases the use of estos, which refers to multiple masculine nouns. Pay attention to the plural agreement in the sentences.
| English | Spanish | Type (Adjective/Pronoun) |
|---|---|---|
| These books are interesting. | Estos libros son interesantes. | Adjective |
| I want these. | Quiero estos. | Pronoun |
| These men are tall. | Estos hombres son altos. | Adjective |
| Do you like these? | ¿Te gustan estos? | Pronoun |
| These are my friends. | Estos son mis amigos. | Adjective |
| I need these. | Necesito estos. | Pronoun |
| These problems are difficult. | Estos problemas son difíciles. | Adjective |
| Choose these. | Elige estos. | Pronoun |
| These dogs are friendly. | Estos perros son amigables. | Adjective |
| These are what I wanted. | Estos son lo que quería. | Pronoun |
| These are the best options. | Estos son la mejor opción. | Adjective |
| I’ll take these. | Me llevo estos. | Pronoun |
| These games are fun. | Estos juegos son divertidos. | Adjective |
| These are mine. | Estos son míos. | Pronoun |
| These classes are long. | Estos clases son largas. | Adjective |
| He chose these. | El eligió estos. | Pronoun |
| These shirts are expensive. | Estos camisas son caros. | Adjective |
| I saw these. | Vi estos. | Pronoun |
| These phones are new. | Estos teléfonos son nuevos. | Adjective |
| I like these. | Me gusta estos. | Pronoun |
| These houses are beautiful. | Estos casas son hermosas. | Adjective |
| I found these. | Encontré estos. | Pronoun |
| These songs are great. | Estos canciones son geniales. | Adjective |
| I want these. | Quiero estos. | Pronoun |
Examples with Estas
This table provides examples using estas, which refers to multiple feminine nouns. Note how estas agrees in gender and number with the nouns it modifies or replaces.
| English | Spanish | Type (Adjective/Pronoun) |
|---|---|---|
| These houses are beautiful. | Estas casas son hermosas. | Adjective |
| I prefer these. | Prefiero estas. | Pronoun |
| These women are kind. | Estas mujeres son amables. | Adjective |
| Do you need these? | ¿Necesitas estas? | Pronoun |
| These are my sisters. | Estas son mis hermanas. | Adjective |
| I bought these. | Compré estas. | Pronoun |
| These problems are easy. | Estos problemas son fáciles. | Adjective |
| Choose these. | Elige estas. | Pronoun |
| These cats are cute. | Estas gatas son lindas. | Adjective |
| These are what I need. | Estas son lo que necesito. | Pronoun |
| These are the best ideas. | Estas son las mejores ideas. | Adjective |
| I’ll take these. | Me llevo estas. | Pronoun |
| These parties are fun. | Estas fiestas son divertidas. | Adjective |
| These are hers. | Estas son de ella. | Pronoun |
| These tables are old. | Estas mesas son viejas. | Adjective |
| These are the ones that I want. | Estas son las que quiero. | Pronoun |
| These cars are fast. | Estos coches son rapidos. | Adjective |
| He picked these. | El recogió estas. | Pronoun |
| These dresses are new. | Estos vestidos son nuevos. | Adjective |
| I saw these. | Vi estas. | Pronoun |
| These phones are expensive. | Estos teléfonos son caros. | Adjective |
| I love these. | Amo estas. | Pronoun |
| These flowers are pretty. | Estas flores son bonitas. | Adjective |
| I found these. | Encontré estas. | Pronoun |
| These songs are beautiful. | Estos canciones son hermosas. | Adjective |
| I like these. | Me gusta estas. | Pronoun |
Usage Rules
Understanding the grammatical rules governing the use of “this” in Spanish is crucial for accurate communication. These rules primarily concern agreement, the distinction between adjectives and pronouns, and the placement of demonstrative adjectives.
Agreement with Gender and Number
Demonstrative adjectives and pronouns must agree in gender (masculine, feminine, neuter) and number (singular, plural) with the noun they modify or replace. This is a fundamental rule in Spanish grammar.
- Masculine Singular: Este libro (this book), Este (this one – masculine)
- Feminine Singular: Esta casa (this house), Esta (this one – feminine)
- Neuter: Esto (this – refers to an idea or concept)
- Masculine Plural: Estos libros (these books), Estos (these ones – masculine)
- Feminine Plural: Estas casas (these houses), Estas (these ones – feminine)
For example, it would be incorrect to say *Esta libro because libro is masculine singular. The correct form is Este libro.
Demonstrative Adjective vs. Pronoun
As mentioned earlier, it’s important to differentiate between demonstrative adjectives and pronouns. Adjectives modify nouns, while pronouns replace them.
Adjective: Este coche es rápido. (This car is fast.) – Este modifies coche.
Pronoun: Quiero este. (I want this one.) – Este replaces a noun (like coche).
Using the wrong form can lead to confusion or grammatical errors. Always ensure that the demonstrative agrees with the noun it’s related to, whether it’s modifying or replacing it.
Placement of Demonstrative Adjectives
In Spanish, demonstrative adjectives are typically placed before the noun they modify. This is the standard word order and should be followed unless there’s a specific stylistic reason to do otherwise (which is rare).
Correct: Esta casa es grande. (This house is big.)
Incorrect: *Casa esta es grande.
The placement of the adjective before the noun helps to clearly identify which noun is being referred to and ensures that the sentence is grammatically correct.
Common Mistakes
Even experienced learners can make mistakes with demonstrative adjectives and pronouns. Here are some common errors and how to avoid them:
| Incorrect | Correct | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| *Esta libro es interesante. | Este libro es interesante. | Libro is masculine, so you need to use este. |
| *Este casa es grande. | Esta casa es grande. | Casa is feminine, so you need to use esta. |
| *Estos libro son nuevos. | Estos libros son nuevos. | Libro should be pluralized to libros to match estos. |
| *Estas casa son bonitas. | Estas casas son bonitas. | Casa should be pluralized to casas to match estas. |
| *No comprendo esto problema. | No comprendo este problema. | Esto is a pronoun referring to a general idea. Problema is a masculine noun, hence este is needed. |
| *Quiero esto. (when referring to a specific masculine object) | Quiero este. | Esto refers to a general idea. Este refers to a specific masculine object. |
| *Quiero esto. (when referring to a specific feminine object) | Quiero esta. | Esto refers to a general idea. Esta refers to a specific feminine object. |
Another common mistake is confusing “this” (este/esta/esto) with “that” (ese/esa/eso or aquel/aquella/aquello). Remember that “this” refers to something closer to the speaker, while “that” refers to something farther away.
Practice Exercises
Test your understanding with these practice exercises. Fill in the blanks with the correct form of “this” (este, esta, esto, estos, estas).
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| 1. _______ libro es muy interesante. | Este |
| 2. _______ casa es mi favorita. | Esta |
| 3. No entiendo _______. | Esto |
| 4. _______ zapatos son muy caros. | Estos |
| 5. _______ flores son hermosas. | Estas |
| 6. Quiero _______ coche, no aquel. | Este |
| 7. Prefiero _______ falda a la otra. | Esta |
| 8. _______ es lo que necesito. | Esto |
| 9. _______ problemas son muy complicados. | Estos |
| 10. _______ preguntas son fáciles. | Estas |
More Practice:
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| 1. ¿Te gusta _______ programa? | Este |
| 2. _______ mañana es muy fría. | Esta |
| 3. _______ no es correcto. | Esto |
| 4. _______ chicos son mis amigos. | Estos |
| 5. _______ sillas son cómodas. | Estas |
| 6. _______ reloj es caro. | Este |
| 7. _______ canción es mi favorita. | Esta |
| 8. No entiendo _______. | Esto |
| 9. _______ papeles son importantes. | Estos |
| 10. _______ manzanas son rojas. | Estas |
Challenging Practice
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| 1. _______ es la razón por la que estoy aquí. | Esta |
| 2. _______ es un tema difícil de discutir. | Esto |
| 3. _______ son los resultados del experimento. | Estos |
| 4. _______ son las consecuencias de tus actos. | Estas |
| 5. ¿Puedes creer _______? | Esto |
| 6. _______ día es especial para mí. | Este |
| 7. _______ noche es mágica. | Esta |
| 8. _______ es lo que siempre he soñado. | Esto |
| 9. _______ momentos son los que valen la pena. | Estos |
| 10. _______ experiencias son inolvidables. | Estas |
Advanced Topics
For advanced learners, understanding the nuances of demonstratives beyond the basics can greatly enhance fluency and comprehension. This includes contrasting “this” with other demonstratives like “that” and exploring idiomatic expressions that utilize these words.
Contrasting with Other Demonstratives (Ese, Aquel)
Spanish has other demonstrative forms to indicate varying degrees of distance from the speaker:
- Ese/Esa/Eso/Esos/Esas: That (something near the listener or at a moderate distance)
- Aquel/Aquella/Aquello/Aquellos/Aquellas: That (something far away from both the speaker and the listener)
The choice between este/esta/esto, ese/esa/eso, and aquel/aquella/aquello depends on the relative distance of the object being referred to.
Example:
- Este libro aquí es mío. (This book here is mine.) – Close to the speaker.
- Ese libro allí es tuyo. (That book there is yours.) – Near the listener.
- Aquel libro en la estantería es de mi padre. (That book on the shelf is my father’s.) – Far from both.
Idiomatic Expressions
Spanish includes idiomatic expressions that use “this” in unique ways. Understanding these expressions can enrich your comprehension and make your Spanish sound more natural.
- A esto me refiero: This is what I mean.
- Con esto y un bizcocho: And that’s that (literally, “with this and a cake”).
- En esto: At this point, in this moment.
- De esto se trata: This is what it’s all about.
For example, if you’re explaining a complex idea and want to emphasize your main point, you might say, “A esto me refiero, la importancia de la educación.” (This is what I mean, the importance of education.)
FAQ
Can esto ever be plural?
No, esto is always singular. It refers to a general idea or concept and does not have a plural form.
How do I know whether to use este or ese?
Use este when referring to something close to you (the speaker). Use ese when referring to something closer to the person you are speaking to, or at a moderate distance from both of you.
Is it necessary to use the accent mark on demonstrative pronouns?
Previously, accent marks were used on demonstrative pronouns (éste, ésa, ésto, etc.) to differentiate them from demonstrative adjectives. However, current recommendations from the Real Academia Española (RAE) advise against using accent marks in these cases. The context of the sentence usually makes the meaning clear.
What if I don’t know the gender of the noun I’m referring to?
If you don’t know the gender of the noun or are referring to a general idea, use esto. It’s the neuter form and doesn’t require a specific gender.
Are there regional variations in the usage of these demonstratives?
While the basic rules are consistent across Spanish-speaking regions, there might be slight variations in usage or preference. However, using the forms as described in this guide will be understood everywhere.
Conclusion
Mastering the use of “this” in Spanish—este, esta, esto, estos, and estas—is essential for effective communication. By understanding the agreement rules, the distinction between adjectives and pronouns, and the nuances of distance, you can confidently express yourself in a variety of contexts. Practice regularly, pay attention to native speakers, and don’t be afraid to make mistakes. With time and dedication, you’ll master these demonstratives and elevate your Spanish language skills to new heights. Keep practicing and good luck!
