The difference between ésta and esta

Question

I have seen both words used: ésta and esta (no accent mark) and am not sure of why sometimes it needs an accent mark and sometimes it doesn't. Aren't they both pronounced the exact same way?

Answer 1

esta- this, adjective

ésta- this, thing

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EX:

Esta camisa es azul.- This shirt is blue.

Me gusta ésta. - I like this.

pronunciation-- pronounce the "é" with more emphasis - MeEncantanCarasSonrisas, May 10, 2010

I believe "noun" would be a better descriptor than "thing" in this explanation. - danrivera, May 10, 2010

Thanks, this helps! - bmancornelious, May 10, 2010

Surely it's este libro because it's el libro???? Why have you written esta libro?? - vicksanders, May 11, 2010

I changed it from "Esta libro" to "Esta camisa" - bmancornelious, May 30, 2010

Answer 2

está = the 3rd person singular conjugation of the verb "estar" = to be. It means he/she/it is or you (formal) are

esta = a demonstrative adjective, meaning "this". It is the feminine form of "this" and refers to a feminine noun. For example, "Esta canción es muy famosa." The word "canción" is the noun to which the adjective "esta" is referring.

ésta = a demonstrative pronoun, meaning "this". It is the feminine form of "this" and is used in place of a specific feminine noun. It's identical to the demonstrative adjective except that it bears a written accent on the stressed syllable to distinguish it from the adjective. For example, "No me gusta ésta." Meaning, "I don't like this." referring to, and replacing, something "feminine" not liked, such as a song = "canción".

excellent explanation. thanks. - yydelilah, Mar 17, 2016

Answer 3

esta = this

está = is

They are not both pronounced the same, está has the emphasis on the last syllable.

Not "está", the word i want is ésta - bmancornelious, May 10, 2010

Sorry about that, my mistake. - Jsanthara, May 10, 2010

Answer 4

este (this) ese - aquel (that) are demostratives adjetives and don´t need accent : este libro es bueno

demostrative pronouns need accent: este libro es bueno pero éste es mejor

Answer 5

-- Delete -- (duplicate post)

Answer 6

;"'ésta" (with accent mark) means exactly the same as "esta". ésta is used as a pronoun, when the noun (person, thing, place) is absent in the sencetence, but included in the context.

Esta blusa es bonita, me gusta ésta.

Did you miss seeing Heidita's reply from May 10, 2010? - "ésta" doesn't take an accent mark any more. - pesta, Sep 12, 2011

Answer 7

demostrative pronouns need an accent: este libro es bueno pero éste es mejor

Just as a matter of fact, neither the pronoun nor the adjective is accented (any more).

ésta is supposed to get an accent only in case of clear doubt. My recommendation: don¡t use the accent.

All I know is that I see it with and without an accent all the time. - bmancornelious, May 10, 2010

Muchas gracias, Heidita! No sabia eso. - Pajaro44, May 10, 2010

I agree with bmancornelio. I see it with and without the accent even within the same context. It's surely supposed to be éste es mi hijo and ésta es mi hija, when presenting. This is my son & this is my daughter. Why are people so glib about accents?s - vicksanders, May 11, 2010

Answer 8

Say them out loud and see you if it makes more sense to you.
ES - tah (esta) this es - TAH (está) are ...and if you would really like to learn that, use the "learn spanish"link above and select the lesson on ser/estar in Spanish 1

Not "está", the word i want is ésta - bmancornelious, May 10, 2010

There is a lesson that includes esta and ésta, also. - danrivera, May 10, 2010