I am really confused about when to use 'esta/este' for saying 'this' and when to use 'esto' for saying 'this' - how do I know which one to use please?

Question

please cane someone tell me when I should use 'esta/este' to say 'this' and when I should use 'esto' to say 'this'. I don't understand the difference between the two words. thank you.

Answer 1

The difference does not exist in English, and it is not logical, except when you refer to people and animals with sex. Normally, grammatical gender and sex match:

• Este hombre = this man
• Esta mujer = this woman

However, things have gender too, and this gender is completely arbitrary:

• Este lápiz = this pen
• Esta mesa = this table

You need to remember the gender of the word to pick the right one. You only use "esto" to refer to things whose name you don't know, or when there is no name for them, as in "this thing"

Please check the Reference Section (at the bottom of this page).

I have to say, Lazarus, that was the most beautiful summation for Este/Esta and Estos I have ever read. - LAtINaPunKROcKerAConFundidA, Aug 26, 2009

Answer 2

Hilly, here are some online lessons on the use of este, esta, esto, etc. Go through the lesson and take the quiz....that should clear up some of your confusion.

Demonstrative adjectives and pronouns