Introduction
Demonstratives are small words that point to people, places, or things. For Portuguese beginners, mastering demonstratives unlocks clearer communication and helps you describe where objects are, compare items, and refer back to things already mentioned. This article explains Brazilian Portuguese demonstratives with practical examples, simple rules, common mistakes, and beginner tips.
What are demonstratives?
Demonstratives are words like this, that, these, and those in English. In Brazilian Portuguese, demonstratives do the same job but change form for gender and number. They help you indicate proximity to the speaker or listener, or to refer to something mentioned earlier in the conversation.
Basic demonstratives in Brazilian Portuguese
There are three main groups of demonstratives based on location relative to speaker and listener:
este / esta / estes / estas — used for things close to the speaker (this, these)
esse / essa / esses / essas — used for things close to the listener or something recently mentioned (that, those)
aquele / aquela / aqueles / aquelas — used for things far from both speaker and listener (that over there, those over there)
Gender and number agreement
Portuguese demonstratives must agree with the noun they modify. If the noun is feminine, use a feminine form. If plural, use plural form. This is important for clear sentences.
Examples:
este livro — this book (masculine singular)
esta cadeira — this chair (feminine singular)
esses carros — those cars near you (masculine plural)
aquelas mesas — those tables over there (feminine plural)
Quick tip for beginners
Learn the pattern: -o/-a for singular, -os/-as for plural. Pair the demonstrative with the noun right away when practicing: este carro, essa caneta, aquela casa.
Proximity meaning: speaker, listener, and far
Understanding which demonstrative to use depends on where the object is relative to speaker and listener.
Speaker proximity (near me): use este / esta / estes / estas.
Listener proximity (near you or mentioned recently): use esse / essa / esses / essas.
Far from both (over there): use aquele / aquela / aqueles / aquelas.
Everyday examples
When ordering at a café:
Quero este suco, por favor.
I want this juice (the one in front of me).
Você quer esse pão?
Do you want that bread (near you)?
Aquela mesa está ocupada.
That table over there is occupied.
Using demonstratives with pronouns and without nouns
Portuguese allows dropping the noun when context is clear, similar to English. The demonstrative can act like a pronoun, but you still must match gender and number.
Examples:
Prefiro este.
I prefer this one (masculine implicit noun).
Gosto dessas.
I like those (feminine plural implicit noun).
Não quero aquele.
I don’t want that one (far away).
Neutral demonstrative isto, isso, aquilo
Brazilian Portuguese also has neutral forms used without a specific noun, to refer to ideas, situations, or unspecified things.
isto — refers to something close to the speaker (this)
isso — refers to something close to the listener or just mentioned (that)
aquilo — refers to something far or previously discussed (that over there)
Examples:
O que é isto?
What is this? (near me)
Eu não gosto disso.
I don’t like that (what you said).
Aquilo parece interessante.
That over there looks interesting.
Common phrases using demonstratives
These short phrases are useful in shops, travel, and daily conversation.
Quanto custa este?
How much is this one?
Mostra-me essa, por favor.
Show me that one, please.
Prefiro aquela.
I prefer that one over there.
Isso é verdade.
That is true.
Demonstratives with prepositions
When combined with prepositions, demonstratives change to forms like deste, dessa, daquele. These show possession or relationships.
Examples:
O preço deste é alto.
The price of this one is high.
A cor dessa blusa é bonita.
The color of that blouse is pretty.
Não gosto daquela música.
I don’t like that song over there.
Common mistakes beginners make
Mixing esse and este — English speakers often use these interchangeably, but esse usually refers to what the listener knows or what was just mentioned. Use este for things you point to or hold.
Forgetting gender agreement — many beginners default to masculine because it feels simpler. Always match the demonstrative to the noun: esta maçã, este problema, essas ideias.
Using neutral pronouns incorrectly — isto/isso/aquilo are for ideas, not specific nouns. Avoid using isto when a noun is present: instead of Isto livro, say este livro.
Practice scenarios
At a store: Point to an item and say Quero este por favor. Then ask about another item near the cashier with Esse é mais barato? or ask about something across the room with Aquele está disponível?
In a conversation: If someone mentions a movie, respond with Gosto disso if you like the idea, or Prefiro aquele if you refer to a different movie mentioned earlier.
On public signs or menus: When scanning a menu and pointing, you can say Vou querer este prato. At a counter, Ask for the item near the cashier with Você tem esse tamanho?
Short quizzes and exercises
Replace the blank with the correct demonstrative and form:
_____ camisa é minha. (close to speaker)
Você viu _____ filme? (mentioned by listener)
Prefiro _____ sapatos ali. (over there)
Answers: esta, esse, aqueles
Listening and speaking tips
When listening, pay attention to context: who is speaking and where the object is. This will help you choose between este, esse, and aquele. Practice by labeling objects around you in Portuguese: este copo, essa cadeira, aquela porta.
Record short dialogues where two people talk about objects in different places. This trains the ear to recognize how native speakers use demonstratives naturally.
Resources for continued practice
Use simple Brazilian Portuguese children’s books or beginner dialogues to see demonstratives in context. Language apps with speaking practice can help with pronunciation and immediate feedback. Create flashcards with a picture and the correct demonstrative phrase to reinforce gender and proximity rules.
Conclusion
Demonstratives are small but essential words for pointing, comparing, and referring back to things in Brazilian Portuguese. Focus on the three proximity groups: este (near speaker), esse (near listener or mentioned), and aquele (far away), include gender and number agreement, and practice with real-life examples like menus, shops, and conversations. With targeted practice, you will use demonstratives naturally and accurately in everyday situations.
