9
Demonstratives
Forms
9.1
Spanish distinguishes three demonstratives in contrast to the two of English:
masc. sg.
fem. sg.
masc. pl.
fem. pl.
‘neuter’
este
esta
estos
estas
esto
ese
esa
esos
esas
eso
‘this’
‘that’
aquel
aquella
aquellos
aquellas
aquello
All forms except the neuter (see 2.7) function as both adjectives and pronouns; it is
usual (though not obligatory) to mark the pronouns with a written accent (see 1.5.3):
Este (adjective) chico me habló ayer.
This boy spoke to me yesterday.
Éste/Este (pronoun) es el chico que me habló ayer.
This is the boy who spoke to me yesterday.
䊉
䉴
29.4.2 (p. 156); 35.1 (p. 210)
Order
9.2
Demonstrative adjectives precede the noun in ‘neutral’ usage; but they may be placed
after the noun (in which case the definite article precedes the noun) with an overtone of
irony or disrespect, and this is heard very often in speech:
Aquel día fue muy dificil.
That day was very difficult.
La chica esa acabó casándose con un tío muy rico.
That (crafty) girl ended up marrying a very rich guy.
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