Introduction
This article explains how to use Este livro and Essa casa in Brazilian Portuguese. You will learn when to choose each demonstrative, how they change with gender and number, simple example sentences, common mistakes, and practical tips for everyday situations like shopping, asking for directions, or describing objects. Suitable for complete beginners.
- What are demonstratives and why they matter
- Basic forms: este versus essa
- Detailed meaning: Este livro
- Detailed meaning: Essa casa
- Gender and number: quick reference for beginners
- Context cues to choose between este and essa
- Common beginner mistakes and how to avoid them
- Useful vocabulary and phrases for real-life use
- Short practice conversation
- Tips to remember quickly
- Exercises for self-study
- Conclusion
What are demonstratives and why they matter
Demonstratives point to people, objects, or places. In English you use this, that, these, those. In Brazilian Portuguese the most common near and far words are este, esse, and aquele, plus feminine and plural forms. For beginners it is essential to recognize Este livro (a book near the speaker) and Essa casa (a house near the listener or not as close to the speaker) so you can describe objects clearly in conversation.
Basic forms: este versus essa
Portuguese demonstratives change with gender and number. Use este for masculine singular near the speaker, and esta for feminine singular near the speaker. Use esse for masculine singular near the listener or recently mentioned, and essa for feminine singular. Plural forms are estes, estas, esses, and essas.
Quick overview
Near me: este (m), esta (f) — example: este livro, esta caneta
Near you / mentioned: esse (m), essa (f) — example: esse livro, essa casa
Far from both (less common for beginners): aquele, aquela
Detailed meaning: Este livro
Este livro literally means this book and implies the book is close to the speaker or the speaker is showing it now. You use it when holding the book, pointing to it beside you, or introducing something new to the conversation that is physically near.
Examples with Este livro
Physical context:
Este livro é meu. — This book is mine.
When giving:
Pegue este livro, por favor. — Take this book, please.
Introducing on a table:
Eu trouxe este livro para a aula. — I brought this book to class.
Why choose este instead of essa
Use este when the speaker has the object or it is very close to them. If a friend is holding the book or the book was already mentioned by the friend, then esse or esse livro could be better. Context and physical position determine the correct word.
Detailed meaning: Essa casa
Essa casa typically means that the house is near the listener or it was already mentioned. It does not usually mean the house is right next to the speaker. This form is common when talking about a house someone else owns, a house you both have seen, or a house referenced earlier in conversation.
Examples with Essa casa
When listener owns or is near it:
Essa casa é sua? — Is that house yours?
Referring back to a house already mentioned:
Gosto dessa casa porque tem jardim. — I like that house because it has a garden.
Giving opinion about a house you both saw:
Essa casa é mais barata que a outra. — That house is cheaper than the other one.
Gender and number: quick reference for beginners
Remember that nouns have gender in Portuguese. Book is livro (masculine), so use este livro or esse livro. House is casa (feminine), so use esta casa or essa casa. For more than one: books = livros → estes livros or esses livros; houses = casas → estas casas or essas casas.
Practical table in sentences
Este livro está na mesa.
Esse livro está na sua mochila.
Esta casa é nova.
Essa casa fica perto da escola.
Context cues to choose between este and essa
Use physical proximity: if you can touch or point and you are the speaker, prefer este/esta. If the object is closer to the listener or already part of the conversation, prefer esse/essa. If something is far from both, use aquele/aquela, but as a beginner focus on este and essa.
Practical scenarios
At a bookstore:
Você quer este livro ou esse livro? — Do you want this book or that book?
On a phone call describing a house:
Eu vi essa casa ontem. Ela é grande. — I saw that house yesterday. It is big.
In class showing notes:
Veja este exercício no quadro. — Look at this exercise on the board.
Common beginner mistakes and how to avoid them
Mistake 1: Using este for something the listener holds. Fix: Observe who is closer to the object. If the listener holds it say esse.
Mistake 2: Confusing gender. Fix: Memorize the gender of common nouns: livro (m), casa (f), caneta (f), carro (m). Pair demonstratives with noun gender.
Mistake 3: Overusing esse because it sounds simpler. Fix: Practice physical reference sentences where este is correct, e.g., when holding or pointing to an object.
Short drills for practicing
Holding a pen say aloud:
Esta caneta é minha.
Pointing to a friend’s phone say aloud:
Esse telefone é seu?
Comparing two houses say aloud:
Esta casa é menor. Essa casa tem jardim.
Useful vocabulary and phrases for real-life use
este — this (near speaker, masculine)
esta — this (near speaker, feminine)
esse — that (near listener or mentioned, masculine)
essa — that (near listener or mentioned, feminine)
aqui — here
ali — there (near listener)
lá — over there (far)
perto — near
longe — far
Examples you might see on signs, forms, and messages
Store sign pointing products:
Compre este produto com desconto. — Buy this product with discount.
Real estate ad line:
Essa casa está à venda. — That house is for sale.
Text message asking about an item:
Você recebeu esse pacote? — Did you receive that package?
Short practice conversation
Person A:
Você trouxe o livro?
Person B:
Sim, pegue este livro aqui.
Person A:
Não é esse livro que eu quero.
Person B:
Ah, o seu livro está naquela mesa. Essa mesa é sua?
Tips to remember quickly
Tip 1: Link este/esta with the speaker and esse/essa with the listener or previously mentioned items.
Tip 2: Practice with common objects around you for one minute daily, naming them with either este or essa.
Tip 3: When unsure, think who is holding or closest to the object and choose the demonstrative accordingly.
Exercises for self-study
Exercise 1: Look around and write ten sentences using este/esta for nearby items you can touch.
Exercise 2: Recall five objects someone else has and write sentences using esse/essa.
Exercise 3: Translate simple English sentences and then compare with a native speaker or app for correction, e.g., The house is nice → Essa casa é bonita.
Conclusion
Mastering Este livro and Essa casa gives you a strong foundation for basic Brazilian Portuguese conversation. Focus on physical location, gender, and whether the object was already mentioned. Use short drills, realistic examples, and daily practice with objects around you to build confidence quickly.
