the rule of thumb

Question

what is an easy way to know when to use está-esta-este-esto

Hello, welcome to the forum! Our rules state you need to use proper capitalization. Thank you. - rac1, Jun 15, 2012

mmmm thumb rules also used in physics!lol :) - april-cosgrove33, Jun 16, 2012

Answer 1

Practice. Here, I'll share the little chart I was helping a friend with the other day.

English version more or less: This (these) - That (those) - That over there (those over there)

Esto: no specific object defined, neither masculine nor feminine
Esto (estos) - Eso (esos) - Aquello (aquellos)

Este: for masculine objects
Este ... (estos ...) - Ese ... (esos ...) - Aquel ... (aquellos ...)
Éste - Ése

Esta: for feminine objects
Esta ... (estas ...) - Esa ... (esas ...) - Aquella ... (aquellas ...)
Ésta - Ésa

This is divided by distance (esto nearest, eso farther, aquello farthest), and the plural forms are in parentheses. The last two for este and esta are used when you know what gender the object has, but do not want to actually name the object.

Here are some examples: Este zapato = Éste. Esta camisa = Ésta. Whatever = Esto.

Está is part of the verb estar, and is not related to these rules.

That was really helpful! Thanks! - JoyceM, Jun 16, 2012

you're welcome! - unMica, Jun 16, 2012

thanks this helps - georgebingham, Jun 18, 2012

Answer 2

The little jingle I've always heard is: " 'this' and 'these' have the T's, 'that' and 'those' don't. Works for most situations.

That's pretty good. - JoyceM, Jun 16, 2012