How to point to things with “Este” and “Esse” in Portuguese

Introduction

This article explains how to point to things with este and esse in Brazilian Portuguese. You will learn the difference, when to use each word, how they change with gender and number, and useful phrases for everyday situations like shopping, asking directions, and texting. Clear examples and simple tips help complete beginners start using these demonstratives right away.

What are demonstratives and why they matter

Demonstratives are words that show or point to things. In English we use this and that. In Brazilian Portuguese two of the most common demonstratives are este and esse. They help listeners know which object, person, or idea you mean. Using them correctly makes your speech clearer in shops, conversations, and directions.

Basic forms: este vs esse

In everyday Brazilian Portuguese, este generally points to something close to the speaker. Esse usually points to something close to the listener or something already mentioned. Think of este as near me and esse as near you or near what we already talked about.

Simple comparison

este = near the speaker
Esse = near the listener or previously mentioned

Gender and number: how demonstratives agree

Portuguese demonstratives change to agree with the gender (masculine/feminine) and number (singular/plural) of the noun they modify. Learn these four basic forms for each demonstrative.

Masculine singular: este / esse

Feminine singular: esta / essa

Masculine plural: estes / esses

Feminine plural: estas / essas

Examples:

Este livro é bom. — This book is good.

Essa caneta é sua? — Is that pen yours?

Estes sapatos são novos. — These shoes are new.

Essas caixas estão vazias. — Those boxes are empty.

Talking about time: este vs esse

When referring to time periods, Portuguese speakers often use este for the current period and esse for a recent past period or a period the listener knows about. This is useful for conversations about days, weeks, months, and years.

Examples:

Este mês eu vou ao médico. — This month I am going to the doctor.

Esse mês eu viajei para o interior. — That month I traveled to the countryside.

Esta semana está muito ocupada. — This week is very busy.

Essa semana você falou com o professor? — Did you talk to the teacher this week?

Using este and esse with pronouns and short phrases

You will often see este and esse standing alone or with short pronouns and nouns. These forms are common in speech and text messages.

Use este ao apresentar algo que está com você ou muito próximo:

Este é o meu carro. — This is my car.

Esta é a minha mãe. — This is my mother.

Use esse para mostrar algo perto do ouvinte ou que já foi mencionado:

Essa é a sua mala? — Is that your suitcase?

Eu vi um filme ontem. Esse filme era emocionante. — I saw a movie yesterday. That movie was exciting.

Practical situations: restaurant, shopping, and directions

Here are realistic dialogues and phrases beginners will actually use. Practice these to feel comfortable pointing things out.

At a café:

Garçom, este café está quente. — Waiter, this coffee is hot.

Você quer esse açúcar? — Do you want that sugar?

At a store:

Quanto custa este vestido? — How much is this dress?

Tem esse tamanho em azul? — Do you have that size in blue?

Asking directions:

Esta rua é a Rua das Flores? — Is this street Rua das Flores?

O banco fica naquela esquina. Você vê essa placa? — The bank is on that corner. Do you see that sign?

Texting and casual speech: quick tips

In messages, people often use esse to refer back to something said earlier. Este is used when showing a photo or an item you are currently holding or very near you. In Brazilian Portuguese, using the correct demonstrative makes your message clearer.

Examples:

Vou mandar a foto. Este é o lugar onde comi. — I will send the photo. This is the place where I ate.

Vi uma promoção ontem. Você viu essa promoção? — I saw a sale yesterday. Did you see that promotion?

Common phrases beginners will see

Familiarize yourself with these short phrases and their meanings:

Este é para você. — This is for you.

Essa é a entrada. — That is the entrance.

Estes valores não incluem imposto. — These prices do not include tax.

Essas são regras da empresa. — Those are the company rules.

Short exercises you can try

Practice by choosing the right demonstrative in each situation. Say the phrase out loud to build intuition.

1) You are holding a book. Say to a friend: Este/Esse livro é interessante.

2) Your friend points to a menu across the table. Ask: É esse/este prato que você quer?

3) You talk about last week. Say: Essa/Esta semana eu trabalhei muito.

Common beginner mistakes and how to avoid them

Mistake 1: Using este and esse interchangeably without considering who is closer. Tip: Ask yourself, is the object near me (use este) or near you/already mentioned (use esse)?

Mistake 2: Forgetting to match gender and number. Tip: Look at the noun. If it is feminina, use esta/essa; if plural, use estes/esses.

Mistake 3: Overusing one demonstrative in a single conversation. Tip: Vary based on context: use este for new things you present and esse when you refer back or address the listener’s side.

Quick reference chart

Use this short guide when you need a fast decision:

Near me: este, esta, estes, estas

Near you or already mentioned: esse, essa, esses, essas

Mini-dialogues: real beginner situations

These short realistic exchanges show how native speakers use demonstratives.

In a store:

Cliente: Esse sapato é confortável?
Vendedor: Sim, este modelo tem boa sola. — Customer: Is that shoe comfortable? Seller: Yes, this model has a good sole.

At home:

Pessoa A: Onde está a chave?
Pessoa B: Está na mesa. Esta chave é minha. — Person A: Where is the key? Person B: It is on the table. This key is mine.

On the phone:

Amigo: Você lembra daquele bar?
Você: Sim, esse bar tem música ao vivo nas sextas. — Friend: Do you remember that bar? You: Yes, that bar has live music on Fridays.

Extra tip: este aqui vs esse aí

Portuguese speakers often add aqui or aí for clarity. Aqui emphasizes proximity to the speaker and aí emphasizes proximity to the listener or a nearby place.

Este aqui é meu. — This one here is mine.

Esse aí está sujo. — That one there is dirty.

How to practice with everyday objects

Make a short list of five objects around you and describe them using este or esse. Include gender and plural forms when needed. For example:

Este celular é novo. — This phone is new.

Essa cadeira está quebrada. — That chair is broken.

Estes livros são leves. — These books are light.

When to choose other demonstratives

Two other common demonstratives are aquele and aquilo, which point to things farther away or more distant in conversation. For complete beginners, focus first on este and esse, then learn aquele and aquilo to talk about distant objects or events.

Example with aquele: Aquele prédio ali é o hospital. — That building over there is the hospital.

Useful beginner resources

To reinforce learning, try simple exercises: label items at home, change messages you write by using este/esse, and listen for these words in Brazilian Portuguese media like podcasts, songs, and children’s shows. Short flashcard drills that pair the demonstrative with nouns of different genders and numbers work well for retention.

Conclusion

Mastering este and esse lets you point to objects, people, and ideas clearly in Brazilian Portuguese. Remember: use este for things near you, use esse for things near the listener or already mentioned, and always match gender and number. Practice with real objects, short dialogues, and messages to build confidence quickly.