Introduction
This article teaches Portuguese demonstratives used to point to nearby things in Brazilian Portuguese. You will learn when to use words like este, esta, esse, essa, and practical expressions for everyday situations. Clear examples, common mistakes, and simple tips will help complete beginners speak and understand demonstratives confidently.
What are demonstratives and why they matter
Demonstratives are words that indicate location relative to the speaker and listener and help identify specific objects or people in context. In Brazilian Portuguese, demonstratives change with gender and number, and their choice depends on proximity to the speaker versus the listener. Learning them early improves comprehension of signs, menus, conversations, and directions.
Basic demonstratives for nearby things
The most common demonstratives used to point to things near the speaker are este (masculine singular) and esta (feminine singular). For plural, use estes and estas. These refer to objects that are physically close to the person speaking or to something just mentioned by the speaker.
Examples:
Este livro é meu.
Translation: This book is mine.
Esta cadeira está ocupada.
Translation: This chair is occupied.
Estes bolos são frescos.
Translation: These cakes are fresh.
Estas janelas são novas.
Translation: These windows are new.
Comparing near (este) vs near listener (esse)
Beginner learners often confuse este/esta with esse/essa. Use este/esta for things close to the speaker. Use esse/essa for items closer to the listener or when referring back to something already mentioned in conversation. Think speaker vs listener to choose correctly.
Examples showing the difference:
Eu tenho este mapa, mas você tem esse mapa?
Translation: I have this map, but do you have that map?
Coloque a xícara nesta mesa; não coloque essa xícara na outra mesa.
Translation: Put the cup on this table; do not put that cup on the other table.
Demonstratives in everyday contexts
Here are short, realistic situations where beginners will use demonstratives:
At a café: Esta mesa está livre? – This table is free?
Shopping: Eu quero este suéter azul, não esse vermelho.
Translation: I want this blue sweater, not that red one.
On the phone: Onde está o manual? Está em esta pasta? – Where is the manual? Is it in this folder?
Giving directions: Pegue este corredor à direita. – Take this hallway to the right.
How demonstratives agree with nouns
Demonstratives must match the gender (masculine/feminine) and number (singular/plural) of the noun they modify. This is a core rule but easy to learn with a few examples.
Masculine singular: este, esse
Feminine singular: esta, essa
Masculine plural: estes, esses
Feminine plural: estas, essas
Examples:
Este sapato está apertado.
Translation: This shoe is tight.
Esta loja fecha às 20h.
Translation: This store closes at 8 pm.
Estes documentos estão assinados.
Translation: These documents are signed.
Estas frutas parecem maduras.
Translation: These fruits look ripe.
Practical short phrases for beginners
Short, repeatable phrases help you internalize demonstratives quickly. Use them in daily practice and memorization.
Onde está este/esta? – Where is this one?
Eu quero este/esta. – I want this one.
Não, quero este/esta. – No, I want this one.
Olhe para estas/estes. – Look at these.
Using demonstratives with pronouns
Portuguese also uses demonstrative pronouns without repeating the noun. Replace the noun with the demonstrative when context is clear. When first used, mark the phrase with este or esta. Later, you may repeat using este or essa.
Example dialogue:
Você quer este ou aquele? – Eu quero este.
Translation: Do you want this one or that one? – I want this one.
Este é novo; esse é antigo.
Translation: This one is new; that one is old.
Common mistakes and how to avoid them
Beginners make predictable errors. Here are the most common with corrective tips.
Mistake: Using esse for something near the speaker. Tip: If you are pointing or the object is within your reach, use este or esta.
Mistake: Forgetting gender agreement. Tip: Check the noun: if it ends with -a it is usually feminine, with -o usually masculine. Practice with concrete nouns like mesa, livro, cadeira, carro.
Mistake: Overusing demonstratives when simple articles work. Tip: Use demonstratives when you need to specify location or clarify which item you mean.
Quick reference vocabulary list
este – this (masculine singular)
esta – this (feminine singular)
estes – these (masculine plural)
estas – these (feminine plural)
esse – that (masculine singular, near listener or previously mentioned)
essa – that (feminine singular)
esses – those (masculine plural)
essas – those (feminine plural)
Mini practice exercises
Complete these beginner-friendly prompts out loud or write answers to build confidence.
1. You are at a table and point to a menu in your hand. Say I want this menu.
Model answer: Eu quero este cardápio.
2. A friend holds a bag. Ask Is that your bag?
Model answer: Essa bolsa é sua?
3. You point to two shirts and choose the one near you. Say I prefer this shirt.
Model answer: Eu prefiro esta camisa.
4. At the bakery, ask Are these fresh?
Model answer: Estes pães estão frescos?
Extra beginner tips for natural use
Tip 1: Combine demonstratives with gestures. Brazilians often point while speaking; gestures reinforce your choice and reduce mistakes.
Tip 2: Learn common nouns with gender. Practice pairs like este livro, esta mesa, este carro, esta janela so gender agreement becomes automatic.
Tip 3: Listen to short dialogues and mimic. Pay attention to when native speakers use este vs esse, especially in phone calls and service situations.
Tip 4: Use demonstratives in simple questions at shops and restaurants to avoid misunderstandings. For example, point and say Este é vegano? or Esta porção é pequena?
Common real-life phrases you will see or hear
Este produto está em promoção. – This product is on sale.
Esta vaga é para clientes. – This parking spot is for customers.
Estes horários podem mudar. – These schedules may change.
Esta senha está incorreta. – This password is incorrect.
Conclusion
Mastering demonstratives for nearby things gives beginners a practical tool to clarify meaning in daily interactions. Focus on using este and esta for objects near you, match gender and number, and practice short conversational phrases. With simple exercises and attention to gestures, you will quickly feel comfortable pointing to things and understanding others in Brazilian Portuguese.
