"Este" or "Esto"

Question

I'm just starting to study Spanish, and I'm sure this has been asked before, but when is it appropriate to use "este (or esta"), and when should one use "esto"? Thanks.

Welcome to the Q&A forum, Peter! - --Mariana--, Oct 25, 2012

Answer 1

Here's a little mini lesson on the subject:

Esto is a demonstrative pronoun (meaning 'this one or this thing') and is used to refer to neuter, unknown or abstract concepts.

¿Qué es esto? What's this?

¿Cómo llegamos a esto? How did it come to this?

Therefore don't use esto when you are referring to a specific noun that has a gender.

Este can be either a masculine demonstrative pronoun (this one or this thing)

-Este es el mío. This (one) is mine. (speaking of say 'a book' / masc sing noun)

or 'este' can be a demonstrative adjective (this + masculine noun)

• este chico / this boy etc

MC, "este" is also used to refer to a male person for whom you have very low regard or esteem, a shortened version "el tipo este" - 005faa61, Oct 25, 2012

ah interesting, thanx JC :) Maybe like our English 'that' - 'that' guy - but it's all in how you say it really. - Kiwi-Girl, Oct 25, 2012

Answer 2

Tip: The plural of "este" (this) is "estos" (these). E.g., Estos zapatos / libros / chicos

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A helpful list from Spanish.About.com

• Singular masculine

este (this)

ese (that)

aquél (that)

• Plural masculine

  estos (these)

esos (those)

aquéllos (those)

• Singular feminine

esta (this)

esa (that)

aquélla (that)

• Plural feminine

estas (these)

esas (those)

aquéllas (those)

• Singular neuter

esto (this)

eso (that)

aquello (that)

Esa lista me gusta... Muy sencilla y fácil de comprender. - francobollo, Oct 25, 2012

Thanks Mariana :) funny, I was laying in bed last night thinking, I must add the point about the plural being 'estos' to the lesson as that's probably where the confusion is coming in, and they voilá, I wake up in the morning and you have added it jeje - Kiwi-Girl, Oct 25, 2012

los genios pensamos igual ¿no? jaja - Kiwi-Girl, Oct 25, 2012