DELE A1 Guide: Demonstrative Adjectives – Este, Ese, Aquel
Want to practice first? Try a General Demonstratives Quiz!
Key Takeaways
- Learn demonstrative adjectives: este, ese, aquel
- Master gender and number agreement
- Understand distance-based usage
- Learn to point out objects and people
- Essential for DELE A1 conversations and descriptions
Welcome to your complete guide to Spanish demonstrative adjectives, essential for pointing out objects, people, and locations based on distance. Mastering these will help you in everyday conversations and DELE A1 exam tasks.
What are Demonstrative Adjectives?
Demonstrative adjectives (adjetivos demostrativos) are words used to indicate specific nouns and show their relative distance from the speaker. They must agree in gender and number with the nouns they modify.
Demonstrative Adjectives Chart
Complete Demonstratives Table
| Distance | Masculine | Feminine | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Near Speaker | este | esta | this | este libro (this book) |
| Near Listener | ese | esa | that | esa casa (that house) |
| Far from Both | aquel | aquella | that (over there) | aquel coche (that car over there) |
Plural Forms Table
| Distance | Masculine Plural | Feminine Plural | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Near Speaker | estos | estas | these | estos libros (these books) |
| Near Listener | esos | esas | those | esas casas (those houses) |
| Far from Both | aquellos | aquellas | those (over there) | aquellos coches (those cars over there) |
DELE A1 Tip: For the A1 exam, focus on este/esta and ese/esa. These are the most commonly used demonstrative adjectives in basic conversations.
Distance-Based Usage
Visual Distance Guide
este/esta → Near the speaker (arm’s reach)
ese/esa → Near the listener (where you are)
aquel/aquella → Far from both (across the room, outside)
Practical Examples
- Este libro en mi mano (This book in my hand)
- Ese bolígrafo en tu mesa (That pen on your desk)
- Aquel edificio en la calle (That building on the street)
Common Usage Patterns
With Classroom Objects
- Este cuaderno (this notebook)
- Esa pizarra (that board)
- Estos lápices (these pencils)
- Esas sillas (those chairs)
With People and Places
- Este hombre (this man)
- Esa mujer (that woman)
- Esta ciudad (this city)
- Ese país (that country)
With Family and Friends
- Este es mi hermano (This is my brother)
- Esa es mi amiga (That is my friend)
- Estos son mis padres (These are my parents)
- Esas son mis primas (Those are my cousins)
DELE A1 Exam Practice
Speaking Section Examples
- Point out objects: “Este libro es interesante”
- Describe photos: “Esa casa es bonita”
- Introduce people: “Este es mi amigo Juan”
- Identify items: “Estas llaves son mías”
Writing Section Examples
- Describe objects in a room
- Write about family members using demonstratives
- Create simple dialogues pointing out items
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Forgetting gender agreement: ❌ “este casa” ✅ “esta casa”
- Wrong number agreement: ❌ “este libros” ✅ “estos libros”
- Confusing distance: ❌ “ese libro” (when it’s in your hand) ✅ “este libro”
Question Forms with Demonstratives
Asking “Which One?”
- ¿Qué libro? → ¿Este libro? (Which book? → This book?)
- ¿Qué casa? → ¿Esa casa? (Which house? → That house?)
- ¿Qué sillas? → ¿Estas sillas? (Which chairs? → These chairs?)
Next Step: Test Your Knowledge!
Ready to check your understanding of demonstrative adjectives?
Take our DELE A1 Demonstrative Adjectives Quiz here to confirm you’re ready for this part of the exam.
What’s Next in Your DELE A1 Journey?
- Ready for more adjectives? Study Common Adjectives Guide
- Need pronoun practice? Review Subject Pronouns
- Practice all A1 grammar? Take a Full A1 Grammar Test
Good luck with your DELE A1 preparation!
