How to Say “This” in Spanish: A Comprehensive Guide
Understanding how to say “this” in Spanish is crucial for basic communication. The Spanish language offers several ways to express “this,” depending on the gender and number of the noun you are referring to, as well as its proximity to the speaker.
Mastering these forms will significantly improve your ability to form clear and accurate sentences. This guide will provide a detailed explanation of the different forms of “this” in Spanish, along with numerous examples, usage rules, and practice exercises.
This article is beneficial for beginner to intermediate Spanish learners who want to improve their demonstrative pronoun and adjective usage.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Definition of “This” in Spanish
- Structural Breakdown
- Types and Categories
- Examples
- Usage Rules
- Common Mistakes
- Practice Exercises
- Advanced Topics
- FAQ
- Conclusion
Definition of “This” in Spanish
In Spanish, “this” is translated using demonstrative adjectives and pronouns that indicate proximity to the speaker. These words not only point out something specific but also agree in gender and number with the noun they modify or replace. The forms used for “this” are este (masculine singular), esta (feminine singular), estos (masculine plural), and estas (feminine plural). These words can function as adjectives, directly modifying a noun, or as pronouns, standing in for a noun. Understanding the distinction between these roles is essential for correct usage.
Demonstrative adjectives and pronouns are essential for specifying which item or person is being referred to among several possibilities. They provide a level of detail that simple nouns cannot convey on their own. For example, instead of saying “I like book,” you can say “I like this book,” indicating a particular book that is close to you. The precise use of these forms demonstrates a good grasp of Spanish grammar and enhances clarity in communication.
Structural Breakdown
The structure of “this” in Spanish revolves around agreement in gender and number. The base forms are este and esta, which are then pluralized to estos and estas, respectively. The choice of which form to use depends entirely on the noun it modifies or replaces. Let’s break down the essential components:
- Gender: Spanish nouns have either masculine or feminine gender, regardless of whether they refer to animate or inanimate objects.
- Number: Nouns can be singular (one) or plural (more than one).
- Agreement: The demonstrative adjective or pronoun must match the noun in both gender and number.
The following table summarizes the different forms of “this” in Spanish and their corresponding uses:
| Form | Gender | Number | Example | Translation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Este | Masculine | Singular | Este libro | This book |
| Esta | Feminine | Singular | Esta casa | This house |
| Estos | Masculine | Plural | Estos libros | These books |
| Estas | Feminine | Plural | Estas casas | These houses |
As you can see, the ending of the word changes to reflect the characteristics of the noun it accompanies. This consistent system makes it relatively straightforward to learn and apply the correct form once you understand the gender and number of Spanish nouns.
Types and Categories
The Spanish words for “this” fall into two main categories: demonstrative adjectives and demonstrative pronouns. Understanding the difference between these categories is key to using them correctly.
Masculine Singular: Este
Este is used to refer to a single, masculine noun that is close to the speaker. It functions as an adjective when it directly modifies the noun. For example, “Este coche” (this car). When used as a pronoun, it replaces the noun: “¿Cuál coche te gusta? Éste” (Which car do you like? This one).
Feminine Singular: Esta
Esta is used to refer to a single, feminine noun that is close to the speaker. When used as an adjective, it modifies the noun directly. For example, “Esta mesa” (this table). As a pronoun, it replaces the noun: “¿Cuál mesa prefieres? Ésta” (Which table do you prefer? This one).
Masculine Plural: Estos
Estos is used to refer to multiple, masculine nouns that are close to the speaker. As an adjective, it modifies the nouns directly. For example, “Estos libros” (these books). As a pronoun, it replaces the nouns: “¿Cuáles libros quieres? Éstos” (Which books do you want? These ones).
Feminine Plural: Estas
Estas is used to refer to multiple, feminine nouns that are close to the speaker. It functions as an adjective when it directly modifies the nouns, as in “Estas sillas” (these chairs). As a pronoun, it replaces the nouns. For example: “¿Cuáles sillas son tuyas? Éstas” (Which chairs are yours? These ones).
Demonstrative Pronouns
Demonstrative pronouns stand in for nouns. In Spanish, when used as pronouns, este, esta, estos, and estas can optionally carry an accent mark (éste, ésta, éstos, éstas) to further distinguish them from their adjective counterparts. While the Real Academia Española (RAE) has stated that the accent mark is no longer obligatory, it is still commonly used to avoid ambiguity.
Examples
To solidify your understanding, let’s look at a wide variety of examples using este, esta, estos, and estas in different contexts.
Examples with Este
Here are some examples of how este is used with masculine singular nouns:
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| Este libro es interesante. | This book is interesting. |
| ¿Cuánto cuesta este coche? | How much does this car cost? |
| Este hombre es mi padre. | This man is my father. |
| Este problema es muy difícil. | This problem is very difficult. |
| Este restaurante es muy bueno. | This restaurant is very good. |
| Este día es especial. | This day is special. |
| Este café está caliente. | This coffee is hot. |
| Este programa es educativo. | This program is educational. |
| Este examen es importante. | This exam is important. |
| Este árbol es alto. | This tree is tall. |
| Este reloj es nuevo. | This watch is new. |
| Este juego es divertido. | This game is fun. |
| Este color es bonito. | This color is pretty. |
| Este tren llega tarde. | This train is late. |
| Este camino es largo. | This road is long. |
| Este mensaje es urgente. | This message is urgent. |
| Este museo es famoso. | This museum is famous. |
| Este verano es caluroso. | This summer is hot. |
| Este ejercicio es útil. | This exercise is useful. |
| Este edificio es moderno. | This building is modern. |
| Este papel es reciclado. | This paper is recycled. |
| Este cuadro es valioso. | This painting is valuable. |
| Este zapato es cómodo. | This shoe is comfortable. |
| Este avión es rápido. | This airplane is fast. |
| Este invierno es frío. | This winter is cold. |
| Este río es profundo. | This river is deep. |
| Este pan es delicioso. | This bread is delicious. |
| Este vaso está lleno. | This glass is full. |
| Este sillón es viejo. | This armchair is old. |
Examples with Esta
Here are some examples of how esta is used with feminine singular nouns:
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| Esta casa es grande. | This house is big. |
| Esta silla es cómoda. | This chair is comfortable. |
| Esta mesa es de madera. | This table is made of wood. |
| Esta canción es hermosa. | This song is beautiful. |
| Esta película es divertida. | This movie is fun. |
| Esta noche es estrellada. | This night is starry. |
| Esta pregunta es importante. | This question is important. |
| Esta ciudad es interesante. | This city is interesting. |
| Esta puerta está cerrada. | This door is closed. |
| Esta flor es bonita. | This flower is pretty. |
| Esta idea es genial. | This idea is great. |
| Esta lámpara es cara. | This lamp is expensive. |
| Esta ventana está sucia. | This window is dirty. |
| Esta playa es tranquila. | This beach is peaceful. |
| Esta revista es nueva. | This magazine is new. |
| Esta historia es triste. | This story is sad. |
| Esta sopa está deliciosa. | This soup is delicious. |
| Esta lección es fácil. | This lesson is easy. |
| Esta camisa es azul. | This shirt is blue. |
| Esta llave abre la puerta. | This key opens the door. |
| Esta fruta está madura. | This fruit is ripe. |
| Esta pared es blanca. | This wall is white. |
| Esta cuenta es alta. | This bill is high. |
| Esta serie es popular. | This series is popular. |
| Esta alarma suena fuerte. | This alarm rings loudly. |
| Esta señal es clara. | This sign is clear. |
| Esta toalla está mojada. | This towel is wet. |
| Esta alfombra es suave. | This carpet is soft. |
| Esta maleta es pesada. | This suitcase is heavy. |
Examples with Estos
Here are some examples of how estos is used with masculine plural nouns:
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| Estos libros son interesantes. | These books are interesting. |
| Estos coches son caros. | These cars are expensive. |
| Estos hombres son amables. | These men are kind. |
| Estos problemas son fáciles. | These problems are easy. |
| Estos restaurantes son populares. | These restaurants are popular. |
| Estos días son largos. | These days are long. |
| Estos cafés están fríos. | These coffees are cold. |
| Estos programas son aburridos. | These programs are boring. |
| Estos exámenes son difíciles. | These exams are difficult. |
| Estos árboles son viejos. | These trees are old. |
| Estos relojes son antiguos. | These watches are antique. |
| Estos juegos son emocionantes. | These games are exciting. |
| Estos colores son vibrantes. | These colors are vibrant. |
| Estos trenes llegan a tiempo. | These trains arrive on time. |
| Estos caminos son peligrosos. | These roads are dangerous. |
| Estos mensajes son importantes. | These messages are important. |
| Estos museos son gratuitos. | These museums are free. |
| Estos veranos son calurosos. | These summers are hot. |
| Estos ejercicios son complicados. | These exercises are complicated. |
| Estos edificios son altos. | These buildings are tall. |
| Estos papeles son importantes. | These papers are important. |
| Estos cuadros son famosos. | These paintings are famous. |
| Estos zapatos son incómodos. | These shoes are uncomfortable. |
| Estos aviones son modernos. | These airplanes are modern. |
| Estos inviernos son suaves. | These winters are mild. |
| Estos ríos son caudalosos. | These rivers are fast-flowing. |
| Estos panes son integrales. | These breads are whole wheat. |
| Estos vasos están vacíos. | These glasses are empty. |
| Estos sillones son nuevos. | These armchairs are new. |
Examples with Estas
Here are some examples of how estas is used with feminine plural nouns:
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| Estas casas son bonitas. | These houses are pretty. |
| Estas sillas son nuevas. | These chairs are new. |
| Estas mesas son redondas. | These tables are round. |
| Estas canciones son populares. | These songs are popular. |
| Estas películas son antiguas. | These movies are old. |
| Estas noches son frías. | These nights are cold. |
| Estas preguntas son difíciles. | These questions are difficult. |
| Estas ciudades son grandes. | These cities are big. |
| Estas puertas están abiertas. | These doors are open. |
| Estas flores son rojas. | These flowers are red. |
| Estas ideas son interesantes. | These ideas are interesting. |
| Estas lámparas son baratas. | These lamps are cheap. |
| Estas ventanas están limpias. | These windows are clean. |
| Estas playas son peligrosas. | These beaches are dangerous. |
| Estas revistas son viejas. | These magazines are old. |
| Estas historias son divertidas. | These stories are fun. |
| Estas sopas están saladas. | These soups are salty. |
| Estas lecciones son complicadas. | These lessons are complicated. |
| Estas camisas son caras. | These shirts are expensive. |
| Estas llaves abren las cajas. | These keys open the boxes. |
| Estas frutas están verdes. | These fruits are green. |
| Estas paredes son grises. | These walls are gray. |
| Estas cuentas son bajas. | These bills are low. |
| Estas series son nuevas. | These series are new. |
| Estas alarmas suenan temprano. | These alarms ring early. |
| Estas señales son confusas. | These signs are confusing. |
| Estas toallas están limpias. | These towels are clean. |
| Estas alfombras son coloridas. | These carpets are colorful. |
| Estas maletas son ligeras. | These suitcases are light. |
Examples with Demonstrative Pronouns
Here are examples of éste, ésta, éstos, and éstas used as pronouns:
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| ¿Cuál libro prefieres, éste o aquél? | Which book do you prefer, this one or that one? |
| ¿Cuál casa es tuya, ésta o aquella? | Which house is yours, this one or that one? |
| ¿Cuáles coches quieres, éstos o aquéllos? | Which cars do you want, these ones or those ones? |
| ¿Cuáles sillas necesitas, éstas o aquéllas? | Which chairs do you need, these ones or those ones? |
| Éste es mi amigo Juan. | This is my friend Juan. |
| Ésta es mi hermana María. | This is my sister Maria. |
| Éstos son mis padres. | These are my parents. |
| Éstas son mis amigas. | These are my friends (female). |
| Quiero éste, no aquél. | I want this one, not that one. |
| Prefiero ésta a aquélla. | I prefer this one to that one. |
| Necesito éstos, no aquéllos. | I need these ones, not those ones. |
| Compré éstas, no aquéllas. | I bought these ones, not those ones. |
| Éste es el mejor. | This one is the best. |
| Ésta es la solución. | This is the solution. |
| Éstos son los resultados. | These are the results. |
| Éstas son las opciones. | These are the options. |
| ¿Quieres éste? Sí, éste. | Do you want this one? Yes, this one. |
| ¿Prefieres ésta? No, aquélla. | Do you prefer this one? No, that one. |
| ¿Necesitas éstos? Sí, éstos. | Do you need these ones? Yes, these ones. |
| ¿Compraste éstas? No, aquéllas. | Did you buy these ones? No, those ones. |
Usage Rules
Understanding the rules for using “this” in Spanish is crucial to avoid errors. Let’s examine the key rules.
Agreement with Nouns
The most important rule is that este, esta, estos, and estas must agree in gender and number with the noun they modify or replace. If the noun is masculine singular, use este. If it’s feminine singular, use esta. For masculine plural, use estos, and for feminine plural, use estas. This agreement is non-negotiable and essential for grammatical correctness.
Demonstrative Adjective vs. Pronoun
As mentioned earlier, these forms can function as adjectives or pronouns. As adjectives, they directly modify a noun, providing more information about it.
As pronouns, they replace the noun entirely. The decision to use them as adjectives or pronouns depends on the context and whether the noun has already been mentioned or is understood.
The Neutral Form: Esto
While this article focuses on este, esta, estos, and estas, it’s important to briefly mention the neutral form, esto. Esto is used to refer to an unspecified or abstract idea, situation, or concept. It does not refer to a specific noun and is invariable (it does not change its form based on gender or number). For example: “Esto es importante” (This is important).
Common Mistakes
Here are some common mistakes to avoid when using “this” in Spanish:
| Incorrect | Correct | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Este casa es bonita. | Esta casa es bonita. | Casa is feminine, so it requires esta. |
| Esta libro es interesante. | Este libro es interesante. | Libro is masculine, so it requires este. |
| Estos mesa son grandes. | Estas mesas son grandes. | Mesas is feminine plural, so it requires estas. |
| Estas libros son caros. | Estos libros son caros. | Libros is masculine plural, so it requires estos. |
| Este es la problema. | Éste es el problema. | Problema is masculine, so it requires el. |
| Esta es el error. | Éste es el error. | Error is masculine, so it requires éste. |
| Estos son la solución. | Ésta es la solución. | Solución is feminine, singular and requires ésta. |
| Estas son los resultados. | Éstos son los resultados. | Resultados is masculine, plural and requires éstos. |
Practice Exercises
Now, let’s test your knowledge with some practice exercises.
Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks
Fill in the blanks with the correct form of “this” (este, esta, estos, or estas).
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| ______ libro es muy interesante. | Este |
| ______ casa es muy grande. | Esta |
| ______ libros son muy interesantes. | Estos |
| ______ casas son muy grandes. | Estas |
| ¿Cuánto cuesta ______ coche? | este |
| ¿Cuánto cuestan ______ coches? | estos |
| ______ silla es muy cómoda. | Esta |
| ______ sillas son muy cómodas. | Estas |
| ______ problema es difícil. | Este |
| ______ problemas son difíciles. | Estos |
Exercise 2: Translation
Translate the following sentences into Spanish using the correct form of “this.”
| English | Spanish |
|---|---|
| This man is my father. | Este hombre es mi padre. |
| This woman is my mother. | Esta mujer es mi madre. |
| These men are my friends. | Estos hombres son mis amigos. |
| These women are my friends. | Estas mujeres son mis amigas. |
| This is my car. | Éste es mi coche. |
| This is my house. | Ésta es mi casa. |
| These are my books. | Éstos son mis libros. |
| These are my chairs. | Éstas son mis sillas. |
| I want this book. | Quiero este libro. |
| I want this table. | Quiero esta mesa. |
Exercise 3: Error Correction
Identify and correct the errors in the following sentences.
| Incorrect | Correct |
|---|---|
| Este mesa es bonita. | Esta mesa es bonita. |
| Esta libro es interesante. | Este libro es interesante. |
| Estos casa son grandes. | Estas casas son grandes. |
| Estas libro son caros. | Estos libros son caros. |
| Este es la solución. | Ésta es la solución. |
| Esta es el problema. | Éste es el problema. |
| Estos son la opciones. | Éstas son las opciones. |
| Estas son los resultados. | Éstos son los resultados. |
| Prefiero este a aquél. | Prefiero éste a aquél. |
| Quiero esta, no aquella. | Quiero ésta, no aquélla. |
Advanced Topics
For advanced learners, let’s explore some more nuanced aspects of using “this” in Spanish.
Nuances in Usage
In certain contexts, the choice between using the adjective or pronoun form can subtly alter the meaning. Using the pronoun form can add emphasis or clarity, especially when contrasting with other items. For example, “Este libro es bueno” simply states that this book is good, while “Éste es un buen libro” emphasizes that *this one in particular* is a good book.
Regional Variations
While the basic forms of “this” are consistent across the Spanish-speaking world, there may be slight regional preferences in usage. For example
, in some Latin American countries, the use of the accented forms (éste, ésta, éstos, éstas) might be less common compared to Spain. However, the underlying grammatical rules remain the same.
FAQ
Here are some frequently asked questions about using “this” in Spanish:
- Q: Do I always need to use the accent mark on demonstrative pronouns?
- A: While the Real Academia Española (RAE) has ruled that the accent mark is no longer obligatory, using it can help avoid ambiguity, especially in complex sentences. Many native speakers still use it for clarity.
- Q: Can I use esto to refer to something specific?
- A: No, esto is used for unspecified or abstract concepts. To refer to a specific noun, you must use este, esta, estos, or estas.
- Q: What if I don’t know the gender of a noun?
- A: It’s essential to learn the gender of nouns as you learn new vocabulary. If you’re unsure, you can look it up in a dictionary or ask a native speaker. Guessing the gender can lead to grammatical errors.
- Q: Is there a difference in formality when using demonstrative adjectives versus pronouns?
- A: Not really. Both forms are commonly used in both formal and informal contexts. The choice depends more on the specific meaning you want to convey and the structure of your sentence.
Conclusion
Mastering the use of “this” in Spanish is a fundamental step towards fluency. By understanding the different forms (este, esta, estos, estas) and their agreement with nouns, you can significantly improve the clarity and accuracy of your Spanish. Remember to practice regularly and pay attention to the context in which these words are used. With consistent effort, you’ll be able to use these forms confidently and effectively in your everyday conversations.