DELE A2 Guide: Spanish Demonstrative Adjectives and Pronouns
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Key Takeaways
- Master este, ese, aquel and their variations for proximity
- Learn the difference between demonstrative adjectives and pronouns
- Understand gender and number agreement rules
- Practice with real-life DELE A2 scenarios and examples
Welcome to your complete guide to Spanish Demonstratives. These essential words help you point out specific people, places, and things in relation to distance. Mastering demonstratives is crucial for the DELE A2 exam, especially in speaking tasks where you need to identify objects clearly.
What are Demonstratives?
Demonstratives are words that indicate the relative distance between the speaker and the noun. Spanish has three main levels of distance, each with four forms (masculine, feminine, singular, plural).
Demonstrative Adjectives
The Three Levels of Distance:
| Distance | Masculine | Feminine | Neutral | English |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Near Speaker | este | esta | esto | this |
| Near Listener | ese | esa | eso | that |
| Far from Both | aquel | aquella | aquello | that (over there) |
Plural Forms:
- estos/estas (these)
- esos/esas (those)
- aquellos/aquellas (those over there)
Usage Rules:
- ESTE – Objects near the speaker
- ESE – Objects near the listener
- AQUEL – Objects far from both speaker and listener
Examples as Adjectives:
- “Este libro es interesante.” (This book is interesting – book is near me)
- “Esa casa es bonita.” (That house is pretty – house is near you)
- “Aquel edificio es muy alto.” (That building over there is very tall – building is far from both of us)
Demonstrative Pronouns
When to Use Pronouns:
Use demonstrative pronouns to replace the noun when it’s already clear what you’re talking about.
Examples as Pronouns:
- “¿Prefieres este o ese?” (Do you prefer this one or that one?)
- “Estos son míos, esos son tuyos.” (These are mine, those are yours.)
- “Aquel es mi coche.” (That one over there is my car.)
The Neutral Forms: Esto, Eso, Aquello
When to Use Neutral Forms:
Use these when:
- Referring to an idea or concept rather than a specific noun
- When the gender is unknown or irrelevant
Examples:
- “Esto es muy importante.” (This is very important – referring to a situation)
- “¿Qué es eso?” (What is that? – pointing at something unidentified)
- “Aquello fue increíble.” (That was incredible – referring to a past event)
DELE A2 Practical Scenarios
Shopping Context:
- “¿Cuánto cuesta esta camisa?” (How much is this shirt?)
- “Prefiero esos zapatos.” (I prefer those shoes.)
- “Aquella tienda tiene mejores precios.” (That store over there has better prices.)
Classroom Context:
- “Este ejercicio es fácil.” (This exercise is easy.)
- “¿Puedes pasarme esa pluma?” (Can you pass me that pen?)
- “Aquellos estudiantes son nuevos.” (Those students over there are new.)
Daily Life Context:
- “Esta calle lleva al centro.” (This street goes to the center.)
- “Ese restaurante es muy bueno.” (That restaurant is very good.)
- “Aquel parque es perfecto para niños.” (That park over there is perfect for children.)
Important Grammar Rules
1. Gender and Number Agreement:
- “Este libro” (this book – masculine singular)
- “Estas casas” (these houses – feminine plural)
- “Esos coches” (those cars – masculine plural)
- “Aquella mujer” (that woman – feminine singular)
2. Position in Sentence:
Demonstrative adjectives ALWAYS come before the noun:
- ✅ “Este coche” (this car)
- ❌ “Coche este” (incorrect)
3. Accent Marks:
Note that pronouns sometimes have accent marks to distinguish them from adjectives, though this is less strict in modern Spanish.
DELE A2 Exam Tips
- Speaking Section: Use demonstratives to identify objects in pictures
- Writing Section: Show correct gender/number agreement
- Listening Section: Recognize distance references in conversations
- Key Areas: Describing photos, giving directions, identifying objects
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Don’t forget gender and number agreement
- Don’t confuse “este” with “ese” – practice the distance concept
- Remember that adjectives go BEFORE the noun
- Use neutral forms for abstract concepts, not specific objects
Memory Tip: The Finger Rule
- Point to something close to you → este
- Point to something close to the listener → ese
- Point to something far away → aquel
Pronunciation Practice
- este (ES-teh)
- ese (EH-seh)
- aquel (ah-KEL)
- esto (ES-toh)
- eso (EH-soh)
- aquello (ah-KEH-yoh)
Next Step: Test Your Knowledge!
Ready to master demonstratives?
Take our DELE A2 Demonstratives Quiz here to ensure you’re prepared for the exam.
What’s Next in Your DELE A2 Journey?
- Need more adjective practice? Review DELE A2 Adjectives
- Ready for more grammar? Study DELE A2 Possessive Adjectives
- Want related topics? Learn DELE A2 Comparatives and Superlatives
- Practice all A2 grammar? Return to DELE A2 Grammar Hub
Looking for a deeper dive?
This guide covers the essentials for the DELE A2 exam. If you want to explore more complex usage, additional demonstrative forms, and nuanced rules for neutral forms, check out our complete guide: Spanish Demonstratives: The Complete Guide
Master demonstratives and you’ll be able to point out and identify things with precision in Spanish!
