We use the demonstrative pronouns to indicate specific items in the same way that Demonstrative Adjectives do except that they replace the noun we are referring to.
The Demonstrative Pronouns serve the same purpose as the Demonstrative adjectives in pointing out a specific noun, butT they replace the noun itself:
Instead of saying "I like this dog better
that that dog," we can say "I like this dog better than that one."
The phrase "that one" means "that dog", but by using the demonstrative
pronoun we don't need to repeat the noun "dog". In English we often add the word "one" to demonstrative pronouns: I like this shirt, and that one, and those over there as well.
In Spanish we use the exact same form as the Demonstrative Adjectives, but add an accent mark to differentiate them from the adjectives. I like to think of it as changing the noun into an accent mark:
- Prefiero esos zapatos -----> Prefiero ésos [Those shoes ------> those (ones)]
If you zoom in close you will see:
Here are the Demonstrative Pronouns
"This" and "These" |
Singular |
Plural |
Masculine | éste | éstos |
Feminine | ésta | éstas |
"That" and "Those" |
Singular |
Plural |
Masculine | ése | ésos |
Feminine | ésa | ésas |
"That one over there" and "Those ones over there" |
Singular |
Plural |
Masculine | aquél | aquéllos |
Feminine | aquélla | aquéllas |
- Just like the Demonstrative adjectives, the Demonstrative pronouns éste, ésta, éstos and éstas are used to indicate things which are physically close to the speaker. They correspond to the English "this one" or "these ones" and would be used under the same circumstances.
- Ése, ésa, ésos and ésas are used to indicate things which are further away from the speaker (but not necessarily to the listeners), not within easy reaching distance. They correspond to the English "that one" or "those ones" and would be used under the same circumstances.
- Aquél, aquélla, aquéllos and aquéllas are used to indicate things which are far away from both the speaker and the listeners, but within visual distance. They correspond to the English "that one (way) over there" or "those ones (way) over there" and would be used under the same circumstances.
Demontrative Adjectives |
Demonstrative Pronouns |
||
Este suéter | This sweater | Éste | This one (refers to the sweater) |
Estos suéteres | These sweaters | Éstos | These (ones) |
Ese suéter | That sweater | Ése | That one |
Esos suéteres | Those sweaters | Ésos | Those (ones) |
Aquel suéter | That sweater over there | Aquél | That one over there |
Aquellos suéteres | Those sweaters over there | Aquéllos |
Those (ones) over there |
Note: There are three nuetral forms (that is, forms without gender or plurality):
Esto, eso and aquello
They do not need an accent mark since there is no conflicting adjective form, nor do they represent specific nouns. They refer to ideas, concepts, situations or unidentified items.
- ¿Qué es esto? What is this?! Why is my boyfriend Keanu in your kitchen?!
- Keanu is now dating the French teacher! No me gusta eso. I don't like that!
- ¿Qué es aquello? What the heck is that thing over there? I can't make it out.