Demonstrative Pronouns Spanish
1. To say “this” in Spanish, use “este” (masculine singular) or “esta” (feminine singular).
2. To say “these,” use “estos” (masculine plural) or “estas” (feminine plural).
3. To say “that,” use “ese” (masculine singular) or “esa” (feminine singular).
4. To say “those,” use “esos” (masculine plural) or “esas” (feminine plural).
5. In formal situations, use “este/a” or “ese/a” plus “usted” for “this” or “that” when referring to a person.
How to Say Demonstrative Pronouns in Spanish
IntroductionDemonstrative pronouns are an essential part of any language. They are used to point out or identify specific objects or people. In Spanish, there are four demonstrative pronouns: este, ese, aquel, and esto. In this article, we will explore how to use and say these pronouns correctly in Spanish.
Este and EstaThe demonstrative pronoun “este” is used to point out something that is close to the speaker, while “esta” is its feminine counterpart. For example:- Este libro es interesante. (This book is interesting.)- Esta casa es grande. (This house is big.)When the noun begins with a stressed “a” sound, such as “agua” (water) or “árbol” (tree), we use “este” for both masculine and feminine nouns. For instance:- Este agua está fría. (This water is cold.)- Este árbol es hermoso. (This tree is beautiful.)
Ese and EsaThe demonstrative pronoun “ese” is used to point out something that is close to the listener, while “esa” is its feminine counterpart. For example:- Ese perro es grande. (That dog is big.)- Esa flor es bonita. (That flower is pretty.)Similar to “este” and “esta,” when the noun begins with a stressed “a” sound, we use “ese” for both masculine and feminine nouns. For instance:- Ese agua está caliente. (That water is hot.)- Ese árbol es alto. (That tree is tall.)
Aquel and AquellaThe demonstrative pronoun “aquel” is used to point out something that is far away from both the speaker and the listener, while “aquella” is its feminine counterpart. For example:- Aquel coche es caro. (That car over there is expensive.)- Aquella casa es antigua. (That house over there is old.)Similar to the previous examples, when the noun begins with a stressed “a” sound, we use “aquel” for both masculine and feminine nouns. For instance:- Aquel agua está sucia. (That water over there is dirty.)- Aquel árbol es viejo. (That tree over there is old.)
EstoThe pronoun “esto” is used when we refer to something that is unknown, unspecified, or abstract. For example:- ¿Qué es esto? (What is this?)- No entiendo esto. (I don’t understand this.) Unlike the previous pronouns, “esto” doesn’t change its form according to gender or number.
ConclusionDemonstrative pronouns in Spanish serve the purpose of pointing out specific objects or people. By using “este,” “ese,” “aquel,” and “esto,” we can indicate proximity or distance between the speaker and the object being referred to. Focusing on the correct usage of demonstrative pronouns will greatly enhance your Spanish language skills. Practice using these pronouns in everyday conversations, and soon you will be able to communicate more effectively in Spanish. ¡Buena suerte! (Good luck!)
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