when does one use the word esto versus este?
How is esto used? How is este used?
5 Answers
Hi and welcome to the forum.
"Esto" is used when you want to say "this" but it's not clear whether the item is feminine or masculine. For example, "¿Qué es esto?" (What is this?)
"Este" is used when you know that the thing is masculine and you want to say something like "This book is red." (Este libro es rojo)
Lesson on Demonstrative Pronouns.
Este is used in front of a masculine noun: (este libro)
Esto is usually used alone, as in the sentence that Mariana posted.
It looks as if it would be useful to take some time to really learn the various forms of demonstrative adjectives and pronouns. Demonstrative adjectives and demonstrative pronouns are exactly the same words and, when translated to English, are also the same word. The difference is their grammatical function. For example in "Esta noche" Esta is a feminine demo adjective meaning "This night." (In English we would more likely say "Tonight." ) However, if someone was comparing feminine objects, such as houses, he might say "Esta es muy bonita." meaning "This one is very pretty." In this instance, it is a feminine demonstrative pronoun. Context is the key to knowing which is intended. If it modifies a noun, it is an adjective. If it stands alone as the subject of the sentence it is a pronoun. When they are presented as single words, rather than in a revealing context, (as Esta was in "Esta es muy bonita") the pronoun versions carry a diacritical stress signal (for example: Esta for the adjective and Ésta for the pronoun.) "Estas or Éstas both mean "these" (feminine ) whether as adjectives or pronouns and "Estos and Éstos are the masculine forms.
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There are similar forms (masculine and feminine for both adjectives and pronouns)
The English words you may want to know in both genders are: this and that ** (referring to something nearby), **these and those ** (also nearby), **that and those (near you - but not me) and that and those (far away from both of us). In addition, there are three neuter pronouns: these do not ever need the diacritical stress to identify them as pronouns, even when not in a telling context, because they should not be thought of as adjectives. Their only function is as demo pronouns. These three are: Esto = This one, Eso(s) = That one (nearby), and in the plural, those (nearby). Aquello(s) = That one, and in the plural, those (far away or distant from us.) Altogether there are 27 words but 12 of them are duplicates except for the diacritical stress carried by the pronouns when necessary to distinguish pronouns from adjectives.
I just noticed this in the Word for the Day. "Esta camisa es más bonita que aquella. - This shirt is prettier than that one". Esta is used as a feminine demo adjective in this example. However, the Word of the Day was Esto and was identified as a pronoun - which it is. The sentence used to illustrate is not correct.
In addition, there are three neuter pronouns: these do not ever need the diacritical stress to identify them as pronouns, even when not in a telling context, because they should not be thought of as adjectives. Their only function is as demo pronouns. These three are: Esto = This one, Eso(s) = That one (nearby), and in the plural, those (nearby). Aquello(s) = That one, and in the plural, those (far away or distant from us.)
I disagree. Esto can only be a demonstrative pronoun. Estos can be either demonstrative pronoun or adjective. So can Esos and Aquellos.
You had it correct in the singular: esto, eso and aquello can only be a pronoun. When you added the (s) it became incorrect. Esos and Aquellos can be adjectives.
Spanish demonstrative adjective
plural masculine
- estos (these)
- esos (those)
- aquellos (those)
The difference is saying that = esto and this = este Think about it as you would in English.
