Home / Learn Spanish / A2 / Este and ese: this and that

Este and ese: this and that

Este / esta = this, ese / esa = that. Esto and eso point at an idea or an unnamed thing.

They match the noun: este libro, esta mesa, estos libros, estas mesas.

Ese / esa is for things near the listener or a bit away. Aquel / aquella is for things far from both of you.

Esto and eso never take a noun: ¿Qué es esto?

Pattern: este / esta / ese / esa + noun

Practice this lesson

Updated October 21, 2026

Examples

• Este café está frío.
  This coffee is cold.
• Eso es verdad.
  That is true.

In real sentences

• Eso es.
  That's it.
  Tatoeba: danilo
• ¡Eso es!
  That's right!
  Tatoeba: darinmex
• Para eso.
  Stop that.
  Tatoeba: arh
• ¿Qué es eso?
  What is it?
  Tatoeba: TRANG
• No es eso.
  It's not that.
  Tatoeba: Barra
• ¿Es por eso?
  Is that why?
  Tatoeba: Barra

Before this lesson

This unlocks after: A1 Core words 3.

← Question words: qué, quién, dónde, cuándo, cómoQuerer and poder + infinitive: want to, can →