Demonstrative Adjectives

Demonstratives are those adjectives that point a noun out in a conversation: “this”, “that”, “those”, and “these”.

As is the common theme, Spanish demonstrative adjectives differ from the English versions because like all adjectives, they are gender and number specific. 

Like all nouns, there are four forms of demonstrative adjectives: singular masculine, singular feminine, plural masculine, or plural feminine. To refer to something that is close to the speaker we use forms of este (this):

	Singular	Plural
Masculine	este	estos
Feminine	esta	estas

este libro  this book

esta página  this page

estos cacahuates  these peanuts

estas palabras  these words

You might have noticed that the singular and plural feminine forms are spelled the same as part of the conjugation for the verb estar, but are lacking the accent of the ultimate syllable.  This is one reason the placement of diacritical marks is so crucial to properly spoken Spanish. 

For the speaker to indicate an object removed somewhat and closer to the listener, then the speaker can use a form of ese (that/those): 

	Singular	Plural
Masculine	ese	esos
Feminine	esa	esas

ese retrato  that portrait

esa carretera  that highway

esos pantalones  those pants

esas blusas  those blouses

Lastly, a form of aquel (that, those) is used when the speaker wishes to talk about an object removed from both the speaker and the listener.  Usually, this adjective describes an object unseen, or an abstract concept.  

	Singular	Plural
Masculine	aquel	aquellos
Feminine	aquella	aquellas

aquel traje  that suit (over there)

aquella casa  that house (over there)

aquellos sentimientos  those feelings (abstract, literary)

aquellas calabazas  those pumpkins

We can attach one of three phrases to correspond to each of these demonstrative clauses in order to emphasize the placement of the objects. 

por aquí  over here

por ahí  over there

por allí  way over there

Voy a llevar esta comida por aquí.  I’m going to bring this food over here.

Esa blusa por ahí es azul.  That blouse over there is blue.

Voy a alquilar aquella casa blanca por allí.  I’m going to rent that house way over there.