Introduction
Understanding demonstratives helps you point to people, objects, and ideas in Portuguese. This article explains how to use aquilo in Brazilian Portuguese to refer to distant or abstract ideas. You will learn meaning, grammar patterns, differences from other demonstratives, natural example sentences, and cultural notes to use aquilo confidently in conversations and writing.
- What is aquilo?
- When to use aquilo: three main contexts
- How aquilo compares to other demonstratives
- Grammar patterns and sentence structure
- Examples with translation and explanation
- Common mistakes and how to avoid them
- Stylistic and cultural notes
- Related structures and alternatives
- Quick reference: When to choose which demonstrative
- Conclusion
What is aquilo?
Aquilo is a demonstrative pronoun in Brazilian Portuguese. It refers to something that is far from both the speaker and the listener in space, time, or in terms of conceptual distance. It often translates as that over there, that thing, or that idea in English, especially when the thing is not near either person or when the speaker treats it as distant or abstract.
Basic form and position
Aquilo is used as a neutral demonstrative pronoun, meaning it does not carry gender. It replaces a noun and usually stands alone or appears with verbs and adjectives. It typically appears before or after a verb depending on sentence structure, but it never directly agrees for gender or number because it is invariable:
Isso é bom.
Aquilo é interessante.
When to use aquilo: three main contexts
There are three common situations where aquilo is the right choice: physical distance, temporal distance, and abstract or conceptual distance. We explain each with examples.
1. Physical distance
Use aquilo when pointing to something far away from both speaker and listener. It emphasizes that the object or place is distant and not within reach.
Veja aquilo ali na montanha.
Aquilo no final da rua é a nova padaria.
2. Temporal distance
When referring to events in the past or future that feel removed from the current moment, use aquilo. It suggests a separation in time between now and the referenced event.
Eu me lembro daquilo que aconteceu no ano passado.
Aquilo que combinamos na reunião já mudou.
3. Abstract or conceptual distance
Aquilo is very useful for talking about ideas, statements, or situations that are not tangible. It signals that the concept is treated as separate or somewhat remote from the conversation.
Aquilo que ele disse não faz sentido.
Não concordo com aquilo que propuseram.
How aquilo compares to other demonstratives
Portuguese has several demonstratives: este/esta, esse/essa, aquele/aquela, isto/isso, and aquilo. They create a spatial and psychological map between speaker and listener. Knowing the differences helps you choose the right word.
Este/esta and isto
Este and esta refer to something near the speaker. Isto is the neutral pronoun used for something near the speaker and usually for new or undefined information.
Este livro é meu.
Isto é importante.
Esse/essa and isso
Esse and essa refer to something near the listener or previously mentioned. Isso is the neutral pronoun for something near the listener or already introduced in the conversation.
Você trouxe esse documento?
Não gosto disso que você falou.
Aquele/aquela and aquilo
Aquele and aquela refer to something far from both people. Aquilo is the neutral pronoun in this far category and is preferred for abstract references or when the speaker wants to emphasize distance or remove the idea from the immediate context.
Aquela casa no morro é antiga.
Aquilo foi um erro.
Grammar patterns and sentence structure
Below are common grammatical constructions using aquilo. Each pattern shows the pronoun’s role and how native speakers typically frame sentences.
Subject position
Aquilo can be the subject of a sentence. In this case, the verb agrees with the implied action, and aquilo remains unchanged.
Aquilo é estranho.
Aquilo parecia uma boa ideia antes.
Object position
Aquilo can function as a direct object, receiving the action of the verb.
Eu vi aquilo ontem.
Nós discutimos aquilo na reunião.
After prepositions
When used after prepositions, aquilo keeps its form. It often appears after de, por, sobre, and com when referencing ideas or distant things.
Falamos sobre aquilo por horas.
Ele se lembra de aquilo com saudade.
With relative clauses
Aquilo can introduce or be part of relative clauses, especially when referring to previously mentioned statements or situations.
Aquilo que você falou mudou tudo.
Não entendi aquilo que ela explicou.
Examples with translation and explanation
Below are practical examples with short explanations to show how native speakers use aquilo in everyday Brazilian Portuguese. Each example is followed by a brief breakdown.
Exemplo 1: Eu não concordo com aquilo que você disse.
Explanation: The speaker rejects a previously mentioned idea or statement. Aquilo refers to the idea, treated as conceptually distant.
Exemplo 2: Aquilo ali é o Cristo Redentor.
Explanation: The speaker points to a landmark far from both people. Aquilo highlights physical distance.
Exemplo 3: Você lembra daquilo que aconteceu na festa?
Explanation: The speaker refers to a past event that feels removed in time. Aquilo marks temporal distance.
Exemplo 4: Não quero nada daquilo que eles oferecem.
Explanation: The speaker distances themselves from an abstract set of offers or conditions. Aquilo signals conceptual separation.
Exemplo 5: Aquilo me deixou pensativo por dias.
Explanation: An event or idea caused reflection; aquilo points to the cause, framed as a removed object of thought.
Common mistakes and how to avoid them
Beginners often confuse aquilo with isso and isto. Here are tips to avoid errors.
1. Using aquilo for something near you
Do not use aquilo for objects in your hand or directly beside you. Use isto or este/esta instead.
Incorrect: Aquilo é meu caderno.
Correct: Este é meu caderno. or Isto é meu caderno.
2. Using aquilo for listener-proximate items
If the thing is near the listener, prefer isso or esse/essa.
Incorrect: Aquilo que está na sua mesa é interessante.
Correct: Isso que está na sua mesa é interessante.
3. Overusing aquilo in speech
Native speakers choose demonstratives to match spatial, temporal, or psychological relationships. Overusing aquilo can make your speech sound unnatural or overly formal. Match the demonstrative to the real relationship between speaker, listener, and referent.
Stylistic and cultural notes
Understanding subtle social and regional differences can help you sound natural.
Formal vs informal contexts
Aquilo can sound slightly more formal or emphatic than isso when referring to abstract ideas. In casual conversation, Brazilians often use isso to refer to previously mentioned ideas, even if the speaker treats them as distant. Use aquilo when you want to emphasize separation or when the concept feels more removed.
Regional preferences
Across Brazil, the core meanings are consistent, but some regions may favor certain demonstratives in colloquial speech. In many urban contexts, people use shorter, more casual forms like isso, reserving aquilo for clarity or emphasis.
Emotional distance
Choosing aquilo can add emotional distance or judgment. For example, using aquilo to refer to a former relationship or idea may imply disapproval or detachment.
Ele falou mal daquilo que aconteceu entre eles.
Here, aquilo suggests that the speaker treats the event as something separate from the present relationship.
Related structures and alternatives
Sometimes Portuguese speakers prefer other phrasing to express distance or emphasis.
Using aquele/aquela with a noun
When the reference needs gender and number agreement, use aquele or aquela plus the noun. This is common when the item is identifiable and not abstract.
Aquele carro é velho.
Aquela ideia não funciona.
Using demonstrative with a clause
When referring to a whole clause or statement, combine the demonstrative with que to form a relative-like phrase.
Aquilo que você fez foi corajoso.
Aquilo que ela disse mudou o plano.
Quick reference: When to choose which demonstrative
Use this short guide to pick between isto, isso, and aquilo:
Isto: near the speaker, new or undefined information.
Isso: near the listener, or referring to something already mentioned.
Aquilo: far from both speaker and listener, or conceptually/temporally distant or detached.
Conclusion
Mastering aquilo helps you talk about distant objects, past events, and abstract ideas naturally in Brazilian Portuguese. Pay attention to spatial, temporal, and emotional distance when choosing between aquilo, isso, and isto. With practice and exposure to native speech, you will feel comfortable using aquilo in conversation and writing.
