What is the difference between este/esta, ese/ea and Eso

Question

I ALWAYS have trouble with these words I have trained myself to remember 'this and these have t's but that and those don't'. Therefore this and these are esta and este while that is ese and esa. I also know that estos and esos are the plural for this and these BUT I sometimes hear the word ESO. Am I remembering these words wrong? What is the difference? I am so confused.

Welcome to SpanishDict. We have an abundance of learning resources here at SD. Please click on the menu and take advantage of them. - rac1, Feb 23, 2017

Answer 1

"Este" and "esta" are the masculine and feminine forms for "this" Put an "s" on either one of them and you have "these"

"Ese" and "esa" are the masculine and feminine forms for "that" To say "those" you change "ese" to "esos" and esa to "esas" Note the change from "e" to "o" "Ese/esos.""

"Esto" and "eso" are neuter terms for "this" and "that" when the gender is unknown or when speaking of an Idea or something that doesn't have gender in Spanish.

¿Qué es esto/eso? What is this/that?

It is simple to say but easily forget while using - nepal15, Feb 22, 2017

It's like everything else in mastering a foreign language. A lot of practice and it gets automatic. - Daniela2041, Feb 22, 2017

:) - rac1, Feb 22, 2017

can eso also be used as slang? - nmills4, Feb 23, 2017

Answer 2

Have a look here.

Ser vs Estar

Estar

She's looking for demonstrative adjectives and pronouns. - Daniela2041, Feb 22, 2017

Oops...Thanks Dani. :) - rac1, Feb 22, 2017