Introduction
Many beginners learning Brazilian Portuguese struggle to choose between este and esse. These two demonstratives look similar but have different uses based on where the speaker, the listener, and the referred thing are located in time or space. This article explains the difference with clear, practical examples, useful vocabulary, and simple tips for everyday conversations.
- Why learners get confused
- Quick summary: simple rule for beginners
- How each word is used in real contexts
- Concrete beginner scenarios and dialogues
- Grammar notes for beginners
- Common beginner mistakes and how to fix them
- Practical tips and mini exercises
- Useful vocabulary and short phrases
- Real-life signs and messages you might see
- How to know when to use aqui, aí, lá with demonstratives
- Final practice dialog for beginners
- Conclusion
Why learners get confused
English speakers often use this and that without thinking about distance markers. In Portuguese, este and esse are both translated as this or that depending on context. That overlap causes confusion because Portuguese distinguishes more precisely when to use each word.
Another source of confusion is that spoken Brazilian Portuguese sometimes favors one form over another in casual speech, and learners pick up mixed patterns from different sources. Also, grammar explanations can use abstract terms like proximal and distal that sound technical to beginners.
Quick summary: simple rule for beginners
For a practical starting point, use this beginner-friendly rule:
If the item is with the speaker or you want to emphasize something close to you, use este.
If the item is with the person you are talking to, or it is close to the listener or part of the previous conversation, use esse.
Visualizing with people and objects
Imagine three positions: speaker, listener, and away from both. Use este for objects near the speaker, esse for objects near the listener, and aquela for objects far from both. For beginners, focus first on este and esse.
How each word is used in real contexts
Using este (near the speaker)
Este marks things that are physically or mentally close to the person who speaks. Common beginner examples:
Vocabulary: este livro — this book (near me)
Example sentence: Este livro é meu.
Translation: This book is mine.
Example on a menu: Este prato é vegetariano.
Translation: This dish is vegetarian. (pointing to the plate in front of you)
Phone message: Vou pegar este agora.
Translation: I will take this one now.
Using esse (near the listener or in the previous context)
Esse is used when the object is near the person you are talking to, or when you refer to something already mentioned or part of the listener’s experience.
Vocabulary: esse casaco — that coat (near you, the listener)
Example sentence: Você pode passar esse copo?
Translation: Can you pass that glass? (the glass near the listener)
Conversation context: Eu gosto desse lugar.
Translation: I like that place. (referring to a place you were just talking about)
Concrete beginner scenarios and dialogues
At a café
Scenario: You and a friend are at a table. A waiter brings two cakes and sets them in front of your friend.
What you say: Você quer esse pedaço?
Translation: Do you want that piece? (the piece in front of your friend)
If the cake is in front of you: Eu quero este, por favor.
Translation: I want this one, please.
In a store
Scenario: You hold a shirt and your friend is holding another shirt.
You: Gosto deste azul.
Translation: I like this blue one. (the shirt you hold)
Friend: Eu prefiro esse vermelho.
Translation: I prefer that red one. (the shirt the friend holds)
Talking about messages and past mentions
When referring to something already mentioned in conversation or text, use esse even if physically nothing is nearby.
Example: Você viu o e-mail? Esse tinha o horário certo.
Translation: Did you see the email? That one had the correct time.
Note: This is a common beginner trap — a physical distance is not required. The item can be conceptually close to the listener or part of the previous message.
Grammar notes for beginners
Gender and number
Both words agree in gender and number with the noun. For masculine singular use este and esse. For feminine singular use esta and essa. For plural use estes/essas, esses/essas accordingly.
Examples: esta cadeira — this chair (near me). essa cadeira — that chair (near you).
When to use contractions
In Portuguese spoken and written Brazilian Portuguese, demonstratives can contract with prepositions. For beginner focus, note a common pattern with de and em.
Example with de: deste (de + este) and desse (de + esse).
Sentence: Não gostei desse filme.
Translation: I didn’t like that movie.
Common beginner mistakes and how to fix them
Mistake 1: Using este when referring to something the listener has or knows. Fix: Ask whether the object is with you or with the listener. If it is with the listener or already mentioned, use esse.
Mistake 2: Overusing esse because it sounds more familiar from listening to native speakers. Fix: Practice pointing to things near you and saying este to reinforce the difference.
Mistake 3: Confusing demonstratives with possessives. Fix: Remember that este/esta and esse/essa are not possessive words. Use meu/minha, seu/sua for possessives.
Practical tips and mini exercises
Tip 1: Label three mugs: one near you, one near the listener, one across the room. Say sentences with este, esse, and aquela to build instinct.
Tip 2: When you read dialogs in apps or textbooks, highlight every instance of este and esse. Ask why the author used each one: proximity to speaker, listener, or prior mention?
Tip 3: Use short self-dialogues. Example practice: Este é meu telefone. Esse é seu?
Translation: This is my phone. Is that yours?
Mini exercise 1: Look at five objects around you. For each, say aloud one sentence using either este or esse, depending on whether the object is nearer to you or to an imaginary listener.
Mini exercise 2: Write three short messages in Portuguese using esse to refer to previously mentioned items. Example: Recebi a carta. Esse documento precisa ser assinado.
Translation: I received the letter. That document needs to be signed.
Useful vocabulary and short phrases
este/esta — this (near the speaker)
esse/essa — that (near the listener or previously mentioned)
aqui — here
aí — there (near the listener)
lá — over there (far from both)
este aqui — this one here
esse aí — that one there (by you)
Eu quero este. — I want this one.
Você pode me passar esse? — Can you pass me that one?
Real-life signs and messages you might see
Shops and menus often use demonstratives to describe specials or options near the counter. Example: Experimente este sabor — Try this flavor. (pointing at a sample)
Customer service forms may use contextual references in follow-up emails: Sobre seu pedido, esse item está em falta.
Translation: Regarding your order, that item is out of stock. (referring to an item already mentioned)
How to know when to use aqui, aí, lá with demonstratives
These location words pair naturally with demonstratives:
aqui + este/esta — here + this (near me)
aí + esse/essa — there by you + that (near you)
lá + aquele/aquela — there far away + that over there
Examples: Este aqui é bom. — This one here is good. Esse aí é caro. — That one there is expensive. Aquela lá está fechada. — That one over there is closed.
Final practice dialog for beginners
Scenario: Two friends in a park looking at two bicycles, one near Maria and one near João.
Maria: Gosto deste azul.
Translation: I like this blue one. (near Maria)
João: Mas esse vermelho é mais rápido.
Translation: But that red one is faster. (near João)
Maria: Vamos testar este agora?
Translation: Shall we test this one now?
Conclusion
Beginners confuse este and esse because English uses fewer distinctions and because spoken patterns vary. Start with the practical rule: use este for things near you, esse for things near the person you talk to or previously mentioned. Practice with real objects, short dialogs, and simple messages to build confident usage in everyday Brazilian Portuguese situations.
