Other adjectives (Edexcel GCSE Spanish): Revision Notes
Other adjectives
In Spanish grammar, there are several types of adjectives beyond the basic descriptive ones. This section covers demonstrative adjectives (this, that, those) and indefinite adjectives (each, other, all, some).
Demonstrative adjectives
Demonstrative adjectives help you point out specific nouns by indicating their distance from the speaker. The words 'this', 'that', 'these', and 'those' are demonstrative adjectives in English.
In Spanish, demonstrative adjectives must agree with their noun in both number and gender, just like other adjectives.
Forms of demonstrative adjectives
The key to using demonstrative adjectives correctly is understanding their different forms and when to use each one.
| Masculine | Feminine | English | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Singular | este | esta | this |
| Plural | estos | estas | these |
| Singular | ese | esa | that |
| Plural | esos | esas | those |
Example Sentences: Demonstrative Adjectives in Action
- este móvil = this mobile
- esa regla = that ruler
- esos chicos = those boys
- estas chicas = these girls
Using neutral forms
When the gender of something is not known, Spanish uses special forms that don't change based on gender.
Spanish uses the neutral forms esto (this) and eso (that) when the gender of something is not known or when referring to abstract concepts.
Examples:
- ¿Qué es esto? = What is this?
- No quiero pensar en eso. = I don't want to think about that.
Distance with ese and aquel
Understanding the difference between these two forms is essential for expressing distance accurately in Spanish.
Two Words for 'That': Understanding Distance
Spanish has two different words for 'that' and 'those': ese and aquel. You use aquel to refer to something further away.
| Masculine | Feminine | English | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Singular | aquel | aquella | that (over there) |
| Plural | aquellos | aquellas | those (over there) |
Example: esa chica y aquel chico = that girl and that boy (over there)
Indefinite adjectives
Indefinite adjectives express quantity or identity without being specific. They appear frequently in many contexts, so it's important to learn how to use them properly.
Common indefinite adjectives
These are the most frequently used indefinite adjectives you'll encounter:
- cada = each
- otro = another
- todo = all
- mismo = same
- algún/alguna = some/any
Agreement rules
Like other adjectives, indefinite adjectives must agree with their nouns in gender and number.
Important Exception: cada doesn't change its form. It remains the same regardless of the gender or number of the noun it modifies.
Example Sentences: Indefinite Adjectives in Context
- Cada estudiante puede usar un ordenador. = Each student can use a computer.
- Quisiera otra llave. = I would like another key.
- Todos los clientes estaban enfadados. = All the customers were angry.
- Llevamos la misma camiseta. = We're wearing the same T-shirt.
- ¿Tienes algún cuaderno? = Do you have any exercise books?
Practice exercise
Practice Exercise: Translate into Spanish
Translate these sentences into Spanish:
- That boy is my cousin.
- This apple is hard.
- I want to buy those shoes.
- That house over there is really big.
- This film is boring.
- I don't want this jumper, I prefer that T-shirt.
Answers:
- Ese chico es mi primo.
- Esta manzana está dura.
- Quiero comprar esos zapatos.
- Aquella casa es muy grande.
- Esta película es aburrida.
- No quiero este jersey, prefiero esa camiseta.
Key Points to Remember:
- Demonstrative adjectives (this, that, these, those) must agree with their noun in gender and number
- Use ese/esa for 'that' and aquel/aquella for 'that over there' (further away)
- When gender is unknown, use the neutral forms esto (this) and eso (that)
- Indefinite adjectives like otro, todo, mismo must agree with their nouns
- cada (each) never changes its form
- These adjectives are very common in Spanish, so practise using them in different contexts