English gets by with just "this" and "that." Spanish gives you three options — este, ese and aquel — because it cares about how far away something is. Once you picture the distances, choosing the right one becomes automatic.

Here is everything you need: the three distances, how the forms change for gender and number, the special neuter words, and the classic mistakes learners make.

Three distances: near me, near you, far from both

  • este = this (near me): Este libro es mío. — This book is mine.
  • ese = that (near you): Ese teléfono es tuyo. — That phone (by you) is yours.
  • aquel = that over there (far from both of us): Aquel edificio es muy antiguo. — That building over there is very old.

Gender and number agreement

Demonstratives change to match the noun in gender and number, exactly like adjectives.

este · esta · estos · estas — this / these · ese · esa · esos · esas — that / those · aquel · aquella · aquellos · aquellas — that / those over there

  • Masculine singular: este coche — this car.
  • Feminine singular: esta mesa — this table.
  • Masculine plural: estos zapatos — these shoes.
  • Feminine plural: estas flores — these flowers.

The neuter forms: esto, eso, aquello

Use the neuter forms for something unknown, abstract, or a whole idea — never before a specific noun. They never change form and never carry an accent.

  • esto: ¿Qué es esto? — What is this?
  • eso: Eso no es verdad. — That is not true.
  • aquello: Aquello fue increíble. — That (whole thing) was incredible.

Adjective vs. pronoun

As an adjective, the demonstrative sits before a noun: este libro — this book. As a pronoun, it replaces the noun and stands alone: Prefiero este. — I prefer this one. Modern Spanish no longer requires an accent on the pronoun, so este works either way, though you may still see éste in older texts.

Time expressions

Demonstratives also mark time. Near time uses este; distant, remembered time uses aquel.

  • Now / current: esta semana — this week · este año — this year.
  • Recent past: esa vez — that time.
  • Distant past: aquel año — that (far-off) year · aquellos días — those (long-ago) days.

Common mistakes

  • Mixing up ese and aquel: use ese for things near the listener and aquel for things far from everyone.
  • Wrong agreement: say esta casa, not "este casa" — the noun is feminine.
  • Using a neuter form before a noun: never say "esto libro"; use este libro. Neuter esto/eso/aquello stand alone.
  • Adding accents to neuter words: esto, eso and aquello are always accent-free.

👉 Read also: Spanish Adjectives: agreement & gender and Object pronouns me/te/lo/la.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between este, ese and aquel?

Este means "this" and points to something near you, the speaker. Ese means "that" and points to something near the listener. Aquel means "that over there" and points to something far from both people, or far in time.

When do I use esto, eso and aquello?

Use the neuter forms esto, eso and aquello when you are pointing at something unknown, abstract, or a whole situation rather than a specific named noun. For example, ¿Qué es esto? (What is this?) or Eso no es verdad (That is not true). They never change for gender or number and never take an accent.

Do Spanish demonstratives need an accent mark?

No, not anymore. The Real Academia Española removed the required accent on demonstrative pronouns, so este, ese and aquel are written without accents whether they act as adjectives or pronouns. You may still spot éste or ésta in older books, but it is optional today, and the neuter forms were never accented.