Demonstrative adjectives

This, that, these and those are called demonstrative adjectives. They are used to point out a specific thing or person, or to emphasise something.

There are three groups of demonstrative adjectives in Spanish. They need to agree with the noun they are describing, eg me gustan estos pasteles (I like these cakes). There are two different ways of saying that and those in Spanish. For example:

• Esa casa es pequeña - That house is small (the house is nearby)
• Aquella casa es pequeña - That house is small (the house is further away)
• Esas casas son pequeñas - Those houses are small (the houses are nearby)
• Aquellas casas son pequeñas - Those houses are small (the houses are further away)

Question

Complete the sentences with the correct demonstrative adjective.

1. Prefiero _______________ (these) libros.
2. Vivo en _______________ (that - nearby) edificio.
3. _______________ (those - far away) casas son enormes.
4. _______________ (this) bocadillo es delicioso.
5. Me gustaría visitar _______________ (those - nearby) tiendas.

Reveal answer

1. Prefiero estos libros (I prefer these books). The noun libros is masculine plural, so it needs the demonstrative adjective estos.
2. Vivo en ese edificio (I live in that building). The noun edificio is masculine singular, so it needs the demonstrative adjective ese.
3. Aquellas casas son enormes (Those houses are enormous). The noun casas is feminine plural, so it needs the demonstrative adjective aquellas.
4. Este bocadillo es delicioso (This sandwich is delicious). The noun bocadillo is masculine singular, so it needs the demonstrative adjective este.
5. Me gustaría visitar esas tiendas (I would like to visit those shops). The noun tiendas is feminine plural, so it needs the demonstrative adjective esas.