Demonstrative

When a demonstrative adjective (DA) functions as a noun, it is called a demonstrative pronoun (DP).

DA and DP are used to indicate distance or proximity in space or in time.

1. Adjetivos demostrativos/ Demonstrative adjectives

2. Pronombres demostrativos/ Demonstrative pronouns

3. Formas neutras/ Neuter forms

 

ADJETIVOS DEMOSTRATIVOS/ Demonstrative adjectives (DA)

DA point out nouns, such as people, places, or things. DA are more specific than definite or indefinite articles.

Dem. Adjectives	Gender	Singular	Plural
this/ these	Masculine	este	estos
	Feminine	esta	estas
that/ those (nearby)	Masculine	ese	esos
	Feminine	esa	esas
that/ those (far away)	Masculine	aquel	aquellos
	Feminine	aquella	aquellas

EXAMPLES:

·         El auto/ the car

·         Un auto/ a car

·         Este auto/ this car

NOTE: As shown in the above examples, DA agree in gender and number with the nouns they modify, and DA precede the nouns.

 

ESTE and all its forms indicate proximity to the speaker.

·         Este sobre está abierto./ This envelope is open.

ESE and all its forms indicate proximity to the listener.

·         Esa flor (que tú tienes) es linda./ That flower (that you are holding) is pretty.

 

AQUEL and all its forms indicate distance from both the speaker and the listener or far away from the speaker.

·         Aquel árbol (a dos cuadras) es verde./ That tree (two blocks away) is green.

 

PRONOMBRES DEMOSTRATIVOS/ Demonstrative pronouns (DP)

DP replace a noun. They have the same form as DA, but they have written accents that distinguish them from DA.

Dem. Pronouns	Gender	Singular	Plural
this/ these	Masculine	éste	éstos
	Feminine	ésta	éstas
that/ those (nearby)	Masculine	ése	ésos
	Feminine	ésa	ésas
that/ those (far away)	Masculine	aquél	aquéllos
	Feminine	aquélla	aquéllas

EXAMPLES:

·         Esta casa es vieja, pero ésa es moderna/ This house is old, but that one is modern.

·         Esos árboles son bajos pero éstos son altos/ Those trees are short, but these are tall.

 

ÉSTE and all its forms replace the latter noun in a sentence. Aquél and all its forms replace the former noun.

EXAMPLE:

·         Chivas es más añejo que J.Walker. Éste es de 4 años. Aquél es de 7 años./ Chivas has been aged longer than J.Walker. This is 4 years old. That is 7 years old. (Éste refers to J. Walker; Aquél refers to Chivas)

NOTE: DP also agree in gender and number.

 

FORMAS NEUTRAS/ Neuter forms

There are 3 neuter DP, ésto, éso and aquéllo. They are used to refer to abstract ideas, concepts, or situations, and unidentified or undetermined objects.

EXAMPLES:

·         Pregunta ésto al profesor./ Ask about this (matter) to the professor.

·         Éso es imposible./ That is impossible.

·         Aquéllo es mínimo. Ésto es mejor./ That is minimal. This is better.