Demonstrative Pronouns — Uses

Demonstrative Pronouns — Uses

a) The neuter demonstrative pronouns esto, eso, and aquello are used to indicate some general idea or something not mentioned by name. They cannot represent nouns since there are no neuter nouns in Spanish. (Note that they carry no accent).

Eso es importante.
That's important.

¿Qué es esto?
What's this?

¿Qué es eso? Es una bandera.
What is that? It is a flag.

No haré esto.
I shall not do this.

Aquello fue horrible.
That was horrible.

b) As in English, the demonstrative pronouns in Spanish function very often as adjectives. (Note, however, that when used as adjectives they carry no accent.) As adjectives, they naturally agree in gender and number with the nouns which they modify.

Este reloj es de oro.
This watch is made of gold.

No puedo abrir esta ventana.
I can't open this window.

Nunca leo aquel periódico.
I never read that newspaper.

Estos libros son muy viejos.
These books are very old.

Vamos a poner esas dos mesas juntas.
Let's put those two tables together.

Aquellos cuadros fueron pintados por Velázquez.
Those pictures were painted by Velazquez.

c) As in the case of the demonstrative adjectives, éste (this, this one) refers to a person or object near the speaker; ése (that, that one) refers to a person or object near the person addressed ; and aquél (that, that one) refers to a person or object distant from the person addressed.

Leo esos papeles y éste.
I am reading those papers and this one.

Esta moneda vale más que ésa.
This coin is worth more than that one.

Me gustan estas casas y aquéllas.
I like these houses and those (in the distance).

d) The demonstrative adjectives, as well as the demonstrative pronouns, generally correspond in meaning with the adverbs aquí, ahí, and alli.

este libro (aquí)
this book (here)

esa pluma (ahí)
that pen (there)

aquella casa (allí)
that house (over there)