I. Forms of demonstrative pronouns

Demonstrative pronouns (pronombres demonstrativos) are used to replace a noun. They designate the object, the action or the person that is being talked about.

In the past, demonstrative pronouns were distinguished from demonstrative adjectives (este, ese, aquel) by the written accent (éste, ése, aquél).

However, since the last spelling reform published by the Real Academia in 2010, the diacritical accent on demonstrative pronouns has disappeared.

Therefore, there is no longer any spelling difference between demonstrative pronouns and adjectives.

The demonstrative pronouns are divided into three categories according to their gender: masculine, feminine or neuter.

* The masculine singular demonstrative pronouns are : Este, Ese, Aquel
* The masculine plural demonstrative pronouns are: Estos, Esos, Aquellos

* Feminine singular demonstrative pronouns are: Esta, Esa, Aquella
* Feminine demonstrative pronouns in the plural are: Estas, Esas, Aquellas

* The neutral demonstrative pronouns are:  Esto, Eso, Aquello

They are translated into English as this one, that one

II. Use and meaning

The choice of pronoun to use depends on the distance between the subject and what it refers to. There are three different forms in Spanish: este, ese and aquel, that allows us to situate, in different degrees, in time or space, the thing, person or action designated by the pronoun.

* ESTE designates an action, an object or a person close in time or space. In relation to a person, this form refers to the speaker (YO, NOSOTROS)

Example :

• Compré algunas verduras y esta es la más cara ==> I bought some vegetables and this is the most expensive one.
• Estas chicas que están aquí ==> Those girls over there.
• Este coche es mío, aquel es suyo ==> This car is mine, this one is his.

* ESE refers to an action, an object or a person not very far away in time or space. In relation to a person, this form refers to the interlocutors (TU, USTED(ES), VOSOTROS)

Example :

• Estos zapatos son míos, y esos son tuyos ==> These shoes are mine, and these are yours.
• Esas casas son modernas, en comparación con estas ==> These houses are modern, compared to those.
• Ese coche es tuyo y aquel es suyo==> This car is yours, and that one is his.

* AQUEL refers to an action, an object or a person far away in time or space. In relation to a person, this form refers to a third person (EL, ELLA, ELLOS, ELLAS)

Example :

• En aquella época, no había computadores ==> In those days, there were no computers.
• Aquel coche es suyo, este es vuestro ==> This car is his, this one is yours.

N.B :

* Aquel (and its derivatives) can also have an emphatic or laudatory value.

Example :

• Aquella mujer ==> This woman (expresses admiration).

* Ese (and its derivatives) can have a pejorative value.

Example :

• Ese pobre chico ==> This poor child

III. Neutral pronouns

Neutral pronouns do not refer to either a masculine or a feminine noun. They are invariable and are used for :

* Expressing a statement or enumeration:

Example :

• Todo esto es mío ==> All this is mine.

* Refer to a previously stated concept:

Example :

• Estoy totalmente de acuerdo con eso que me cuenta ==> I completely agree with what you are telling me.
• Eso es muy interesante ==> This is very interesting.

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