difference between ésta/esta

Question

Will someone please explain the difference between "ésta" and "esta?"

My dictionary says that both mean "it," but I'm not sure when to use one and when to use the other.

Answer 1

Esta = this (proximal demonstrative pronoun) - Esta chica es bonita - This girl is pretty
Ésta = this (one) (noun) - Ésta es la chica más bonita - This is the prettiest girl

(proximal demonstrative pronoun) - pesta, Jul 27, 2011

Sorry, I was quoting the Wikipedia. I'm not that strong in grammar. :-) - KevinB, Jul 27, 2011

Answer 2

Hi and welcome to the forum.

It's no longer necessary to put an accent on "esta" when it means "this."

For example:

Esta mesa es grande.

Esta chica es guapa.

Answer 3

What do you mean it's no longer necessary? Have the rules changed? (I'm working with an older version of Rosetta Stone.)

Last night, I learned, "Esta mujer es de verdad," and "ésta es una pintura de flores."

Do you mean that I don't need the accent mark on the second sentence now?

My Grammar book doesn´t even mention this difference. It mentions esta without the accent for both cases. - ianta, Jul 27, 2011