Demonstrative Adjectives (Leaving Cert Spanish): Revision Notes
Demonstrative adjectives
Overview
Demonstrative adjectives are words that help you point to specific people, places, or things when speaking. In English, we use "this," "these," "that," and "those." Spanish demonstrative adjectives work similarly but must change their endings to match the gender and number of the noun they describe.
Critical Rule: Agreement
Spanish demonstrative adjectives must match the noun they describe in both number (singular or plural) and gender (masculine or feminine). This matching process is called agreement.
Rules and formation
The choice between "este/esta" forms and "ese/esa" forms depends on distance:
Distance Guidelines:
- Use este/esta/estos/estas for things that are close to you (like "this/these" in English)
- Use ese/esa/esos/esas for things that are further away (like "that/those" in English)
Table of demonstrative adjectives
| English | Masculine | Feminine |
|---|---|---|
| This | este | esta |
| These | estos | estas |
| That | ese | esa |
| Those | esos | esas |
Example sentences
Worked Example: Near objects (este/esta/estos/estas)
- Este libro es interesante = This book is interesting
- Este is masculine singular because libro is masculine singular
- Esta mesa es grande = This table is big
- Esta is feminine singular because mesa is feminine singular
- Estos zapatos son cómodos = These shoes are comfortable
- Estos is masculine plural because zapatos is masculine plural
- Estas flores son bonitas = These flowers are beautiful
- Estas is feminine plural because flores is feminine plural
Worked Example: Distant objects (ese/esa/esos/esas)
- Ese coche es rojo = That car is red
- Ese is masculine singular because coche is masculine singular
- Esa casa es vieja = That house is old
- Esa is feminine singular because casa is feminine singular
- Esos estudiantes estudian mucho = Those students study a lot
- Esos is masculine plural because estudiantes is masculine plural
- Esas ventanas están abiertas = Those windows are open
- Esas is feminine plural because ventanas is feminine plural
Common mistakes and tips
Common Mistakes to Avoid:
Mistake 1: Using the same form for all nouns
- ❌ Este mesa (incorrect - mesa is feminine)
- ✅ Esta mesa (correct)
Mistake 2: Forgetting to change for plural nouns
- ❌ Este libros (incorrect - libros is plural)
- ✅ Estos libros (correct)
Helpful Tips:
Position Rule: Remember that these adjectives always come before the noun in Spanish, just like in English.
Memory Aid: Think of este/esta as "near" because both "este" and "near" contain the letter 'e'. For ese/esa, think "so far away" - both contain the letter 's'.
Mini practice
Practice Exercise: Translation
Translate these sentences into Spanish:
-
This girl is my sister. Answer: Esta chica es mi hermana.
-
Those books are expensive. Answer: Esos libros son caros.
-
These houses are new. Answer: Estas casas son nuevas.
Remember!
Key Points to Remember:
- Demonstrative adjectives must match their noun in gender (masculine/feminine) and number (singular/plural)
- Use este/esta/estos/estas for things close to you
- Use ese/esa/esos/esas for things further away
- These adjectives always go before the noun they describe
- When in doubt, check if the noun is masculine/feminine and singular/plural to choose the correct form