Modern Spanish Grammar: A Practical Guide

9 Demonstratives

9.1 Forms

Spanish distinguishes three demonstratives in contrast to the two of English:

All forms except the neuter (see 2.7) function as both adjectives and pronouns; it is

usual (though not obligatory) to mark the pronouns with a written accent (see 1.5.3):

Este (adjective) chico me habló ayer.

This boy spoke to me yesterday.

Éste/Este (pronoun) es el chico que me habló ayer.

This is the boy who spoke to me yesterday.

 29.4.2 (p. 156); 35.1 (p. 210)

9.2 Order

Demonstrative adjectives precede the noun in ‘neutral’ usage; but they may be placed

after the noun (in which case the definite article precedes the noun) with an overtone of

irony or disrespect, and this is heard very often in speech:

Aquel día fue muy dificil.

That day was very difficult.

La chica esa acabó casándose con un tío muy rico.

That (crafty) girl ended up marrying a very rich guy.

masc. sg.

fem. sg.

masc. pl.

fem. pl.

‘neuter’

este

esta

estos

estas

esto

ese

esa

esos

esas

eso

aquel

aquella

aquellos

aquellas

aquello

‘this’ ‘that’