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3.2.5: Los demostrativos- adjetivos y pronombres

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    Demonstrative adjectives and pronouns

    Demonstrative adjectives and pronouns are used to point out the proximity of a noun in relation to the speaker.

    Demonstrative adjectives

    A "demonstrative adjective" is a word used with a noun in a sentence to point out its proximity in relation to the speaker. Since nouns in Spanish have gender and number, "demonstrative adjectives" will also have gender and number to "agree with the noun". Observe the following that shows the perspective of the speaker in relation to the proximity of the object:

    SPEAKER → Aquí - here: (closest to speaker) → Allí - there: (further from speaker) → Allá - over there: (furthest from speaker)
    Singular, masculine este libro - this book ese libro - that book aquel libro - that book over there
    Singular, femenine esta silla- this chair esa silla - that chair aquella silla - that book over there
    Plural, masculine estos libros - these book esos libros - those books aquellos libros - those books over there
    Plural, femenine estas sillas - these chairs esas sillas - those chairs aquellas sillas - those chairs over there

    Note: the demonstrative adjective is in bold.

    Demonstrative pronouns

    A "demonstrative pronoun" is the word that "replaces the noun" once it is known. They are the same in Spanish as the demonstrative adjectives. Observe the following chart that shows the perspective of the speaker in relation to the proximity of the object:

    SPEAKER → Aquí - here: (closest to speaker) → Allí - there: (further from speaker) → Allá - over there: (furthest from speaker)
    Singular, masculine este - this one ese - that one aquel - that one over there
    Singular, femenine esta - this one esa - that one aquella - that one over there
    Plural, masculine estos - these ones esos - those ones aquellos - those ones over there
    Plural, femenine estas - these ones esas - those ones aquellas - those ones over there

    Note: the demonstrative pronoun is in bold.

    Neuter demonstrative pronouns

    The neuter demonstrative pronouns are used to point out a situation, idea, concept, or noun that is unknown to the speaker. ¡Ojo! Do not confuse these with the singular masculine demonstrative pronouns, the ending is different:

    SPEAKER → Aquí - here: (closest to speaker) → Allí - there: (further from speaker) → Allá - over there: (furthest from speaker)
    Neutral esto: ¡Esto es muy interesante! eso: ¡Me gusta eso! aquello: ¿Qué es aquello?

    Note: the neuter demonstrative pronoun is in bold.

    Query

    This page titled 3.2.5: Los demostrativos- adjetivos y pronombres is shared under a CC BY-NC license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by M. Barrio De Mendoza, K Gutiérrez, H.Ho, C. Lin, & A Stere Lugo (ASCCC Open Educational Resources Initiative) .