Want to know how to say "this" or "that" in Spanish? You might be surprised to learn that Spanish has twelve different ways to express these concepts! In this lesson, we'll explore how to use este, ese, and aquel along with their variations to accurately point out people, objects, and things in Spanish.

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What Are Demonstrative Adjectives?

Demonstrative adjectives help us identify which specific person or object we're talking about based on distance. In English, we use "this" and "these" for things near us, and "that" and "those" for things farther away. Spanish works similarly, but with more precision.

Why Does Spanish Have So Many Ways to Say This and That?

While English has four demonstrative adjectives (this, that, these, those), Spanish has twelve! Here's why: First, Spanish nouns have gender (masculine or feminine), so the words for "this" and "that" must match. Second, Spanish distinguishes between three levels of distance rather than just two:

• Things near the speaker
• Things near the listener
• Things far from both the speaker and listener

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Este, Ese, Aquel: The Three Levels of Distance in Spanish

Let's break down all twelve demonstrative adjectives in Spanish, using M for "masculine" and F for "feminine":

Near the speaker (this/these):

este (M), esta (F) = this
estos (M), estas (F) = these

Near the listener (that/those):

ese (M), esa (F) = that
esos (M), esas (F) = those

Far from both (that over there/those over there):

aquel (M), aquella (F) = that (over there)
aquellos (M), aquellas (F) = those (over there)

📌 Note: The aquel forms can also refer to metaphorical distance, like events far in the past or future.

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How to Use Este (This) in Spanish

Let's see este, esta, estos, and estas in action:

Me gusta mucho este parque.

I really like this park.

Caption 9, Conversaciones en el parque - Cap. 5: Me gusta mucho este parque.

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Esta mochila es de Lucas.

This backpack is Lucas'.

Caption 59, Conversaciones en el parque - Cap. 3: ¿De quién es esta mochila?

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En la noche, utilizaremos estos vasos bajos para servir licor.

At night, we'll use these short glasses to serve liquor.

Caption 20, Ana Carolina - El comedor

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Estas cintas son las que estamos sacando recientemente;

These ribbons are the ones that we are coming out with recently;

son nuevos diseños.

they are new designs.

Caption 19, Comercio - Camisas tradicionales

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How to Use Ese (That) in Spanish

Now let's look at ese, esa, esos, and esas:

Oiga y ese carro, esa belleza ¿de dónde la sacó, hermano, ah?

Hey and that car, that beauty, where did you get it, brother, huh?

Caption 43, Confidencial: El rey de la estafa - Capítulo 1

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¿Y esos otros tatuajes que tienes aquí, de qué son?

And those other tattoos you have here, what are they of?

Caption 67, Adícora, Venezuela - El tatuaje de Rosana

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Mire, Rubio, yo necesito que usted

Look, Rubio, I need you

le ponga vigilancia inmediata a esas dos mujeres, hermano.

to put those two women under immediate surveillance, brother.

Caption 52, Confidencial: El rey de la estafa - Capítulo 4

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How to Use Aquel (That Over There) in Spanish

Finally, here are examples of aquel, aquella, aquellos, and aquellas:

La terminación del piso sería, en el futuro, de roca...

The last part of the floor would be, in the future, made out of rock...

de roca rústrica [sic] a propósito traída de aquel cerro que está allá.

out of rustic rock brought specifically from that hill over there.

Captions 22-23, Edificio en Construcción - Hablando con los trabajadores

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por qué todo parecía distinto en aquella parte del bosque.

why everything seemed different in that part of the forest.

Caption 76, Silvia nos cuenta El bosque encantado y las emociones mágicas - Part 3

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Esas cifras ya nos dicen

Those numbers tell us

que aquellas civilizaciones prehistóricas

that those prehistoric civilizations

ya sabían mucho de cálculo. 

already knew a lot about calculus.

Captions 27-29, Rosa - Los dólmenes de Antequera

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Sería, "Aquellos coches son de mi padre"

Would be, "Those cars are my father's"

o "Aquellas casas son de mi madre".

or "Those houses are my mother's."

Captions 35-36, Lecciones con Carolina - Adjetivos demostrativos

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This and That in Spanish: Key Takeaways

Now you know how to say "this," "that," "these," and "those" in Spanish! While Spanish has more options than English, the system is logical once you understand the three distance levels and remember to match gender and number. Start with este and ese for everyday situations, and you'll be pointing things out in Spanish like a native speaker.

That's all for today. Although there are many more demonstrative adjectives in Spanish than in English, learning to use them is relatively simple. We hope you enjoyed this lesson, and don't forget to send us your comments and suggestions. ¡Hasta la próxima!