Spanish
Grade 4
15 min
Los demostrativos: Este, ese, aquel (Demonstratives: This, that, that over there)
Introduce demonstrative adjectives (este, ese, aquel) to point out specific items of clothing.
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Introduction & Learning Objectives
Learning Objectives
Identify the three distances used with Spanish demonstratives (close, not close, far away).
Select the correct singular demonstrative (este, esta, ese, esa, aquel, aquella) to match a noun's gender and distance.
Select the correct plural demonstrative (estos, estas, esos, esas, aquellos, aquellas) to match a noun's gender and distance.
Construct simple descriptive sentences using a demonstrative, a noun, and an adjective (e.g., 'Este perro es grande').
Differentiate between 'ese' (that) and 'aquel' (that over there) in context.
Answer simple questions that use demonstratives, such as '¿De quién es esa mochila?'
Imagine you're at the park! 🌳 How do you point and say 'I want THIS ball right here&#...
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Key Concepts & Vocabulary
TermDefinitionExample
Demostrativo (Demonstrative)A 'pointing word' that tells us the location of a noun (a person, place, or thing) in relation to the speaker.In the sentence 'Este libro es mío' (This book is mine), 'este' is the demonstrative.
Este / Esta / Estos / EstasThese words mean 'this' or 'these'. We use them for things that are very close to us, that we can touch.Tengo este lápiz en mi mano. (I have this pencil in my hand.)
Ese / Esa / Esos / EsasThese words mean 'that' or 'those'. We use them for things that are not very close, but not super far away either. Maybe across the room.Mira ese reloj en la pared. (Look at that clock on the wall.)
Aquel / Aquella / Aquellos / AquellasThese words mean 'that ove...
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Grammar Rules & Patterns
The Distance Rule
Este = Close (aquí/here) | Ese = Not close (ahí/there) | Aquel = Far away (allí/over there)
The demonstrative you choose depends on the distance between you and the object. Use 'este' for things you can touch. Use 'ese' for things that are a short distance away. Use 'aquel' for things that are far away.
The Matching Rule: Gender and Number
The demonstrative must always match the gender (masculine/feminine) and number (singular/plural) of the noun it describes.
Look at the noun first. Is it masculine or feminine? Is it singular or plural? Then, pick the demonstrative from the chart that matches. For example, for 'casas' (feminine, plural), you could use 'estas', 'esas', or 'aquellas'.
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Challenging
You and a friend are looking at a messy room. Your friend asks, '¿Qué es todo esto?' You reply, 'No sé, pero tenemos que limpiar ___.' What word best replaces the general idea of 'the mess'?
A.aquello
B.eso
C.este
D.esta
Challenging
You see a strange, unidentifiable object flying far away in the night sky. You point and say to your friend, '¡Mira! ¿Qué es ___?'
A.aquello
B.aquel
C.aquella
D.eso
Challenging
In the sentence, 'Este lápiz es mío, pero prefiero ese', what is the function of the word 'ese'?
A.It describes a noun that is far away.
B.It describes the noun 'lápiz'.
C.It is a mistake and should be 'eso'.
D.It replaces the noun phrase 'ese lápiz'.
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