Introduction
Many beginners learning Brazilian Portuguese struggle to choose between esse and isso. Both translate roughly to English this/that, but they follow different patterns. This article explains the difference clearly, gives practical examples, common mistakes, and easy tips so you can start using esse and isso correctly in everyday situations.
- Core idea: demonstratives vs. pronouns
- Why beginners mix them up
- Practical rules and easy memory tricks
- Examples in everyday contexts
- Common beginner mistakes and corrections
- Mini practice section: choose the right word
- Extra notes on related words: isto, aquilo, este
- Practical classroom and self-study exercises
- Conclusion
Core idea: demonstratives vs. pronouns
In Brazilian Portuguese, demonstratives like esse and the pronoun isso are part of a family that shows location, reference, or proximity. The confusion comes from similar meanings in English. Think of two roles: words that modify nouns (adjectival demonstratives) and words that stand alone replacing nouns (pronominal demonstratives).
Adjectival demonstrative: esse
Esse is used before a noun to point to something near the listener or something previously mentioned. It behaves like an adjective, so it agrees in gender and number with the noun it modifies: esse, essa, esses, essas.
Examples:
Esse livro é bom.
That book (near you or mentioned) is good.
Essa caneta é minha.
That pen is mine.
Esses restaurantes são caros.
Those restaurants are expensive.
Pronominal demonstrative: isso
Isso is used alone as a pronoun to refer to an idea, situation, object, or sentence that is near the listener or was just mentioned. It does not change for gender or number. Use isso when referring to a concept or object without repeating the noun.
Examples:
O que é isso?
What is that?
Isso é importante.
That is important.
Não gosto disso.
I do not like that.
Why beginners mix them up
English uses this and that in ways that overlap both Portuguese forms, and learners often directly translate without checking grammatical role. English this/that can be adjectives or pronouns, but Portuguese separates those roles more clearly. Also, similar-sounding words, proximity concepts, and varied spoken use create extra confusion.
Common causes of confusion
Direct translation: Beginners often say Isso livro instead of Esse livro because they translate that book directly from English.
Spoken shortcuts: In rapid speech Brazilians sometimes drop nouns and use pronouns, which makes it harder to notice when an adjectival form is required.
Gender and number: Forgetting to change esse to essa or esses leads to errors.
Practical rules and easy memory tricks
Rule 1: If you need a word before a noun, use an adjectival form: esse, essa, esses, essas.
Example: Essa mesa está suja.
This/that table is dirty.
Rule 2: If you replace a noun or refer to an idea, use a pronominal form: isso, aquilo, or isto depending on distance and context. For near the listener or previous topic, use isso.
Example: Eu vi um problema. Isso é sério.
I saw a problem. That is serious.
Memory trick: Adjective = modifies noun = looks like an adjective (use esse). Pronoun = stands alone = use isso.
Position and context tips
If the word comes right before a noun, try esse or its forms. If the word stands alone or follows a verb like ser, apontar, mostrar, or dizer, try isso.
Examples:
Mostre-me esse documento.
Show me that document.
Isso não faz sentido.
That does not make sense.
Examples in everyday contexts
Below are realistic, beginner-friendly sentences you might see on menus, signs, messages, or hear in simple conversations.
At a café:
Quero esse café, por favor.
I want that coffee, please.
Isso é o cardápio?
Is that the menu?
On the street or at a store:
Essa blusa é azul?
Is that shirt blue?
Eu prefiro isso.
I prefer that.
Text messages and simple chat:
Você viu isso no grupo?
Did you see that in the group?
Envie-me esse arquivo.
Send me that file.
Signs and forms:
Assine esse campo.
Sign this field.
Isso é somente informativo.
This is for information only.
Common beginner mistakes and corrections
Mistake: Isso casa é bonita.
Correction: Essa casa é bonita.
Why: House (casa) is a noun, so use adjectival essa.
Mistake: Eu quero esse. after someone points to food
Correction: Eu quero isso. or Eu quero esse prato.
Why: If the person points to food and you mean that specific dish, both are possible. If you use just the demonstrative without a noun, prefer isso. If you include the noun, use esse + noun.
Mistake: Isso livros são meus.
Correction: Esses livros são meus.
Why: Plural noun requires adjectival plural esses.
Quick fix checklist
Is there a noun immediately after the word? If yes, use esse / essa / esses / essas.
Is the word replacing a noun or referring to an idea or statement? If yes, use isso (or isto for something the speaker points to that is very near the speaker).
Does the form need to match gender and number of the noun? If yes, change esse accordingly.
Mini practice section: choose the right word
Select the correct option mentally, then check answers below each group.
1) ___ telefone está tocando. Options: Isso / Esse
Answer: Esse telefone está tocando.
2) O que é ___? Options: Isso / Esse
Answer: O que é isso?
3) ___ mesas são novas. Options: Isso / Essas
Answer: Essas mesas são novas.
4) Eu ouvi uma história. ___ é engraçada. Options: Esse / Isso
Answer: Isso é engraçada. (Note: if the story is feminine and you want adjective agreement with a previously mentioned noun you could say Essa história é engraçada.)
Extra notes on related words: isto, aquilo, este
While learning esse and isso, beginners sometimes meet other demonstratives. Briefly:
Isto refers to something close to the speaker (rare in casual speech but appears in formal or clear contexts). Example: Isto é para você.
This is for you.
Aquilo refers to something far from both speaker and listener. Example: Aquilo é uma montanha.
That over there is a mountain.
Este is similar to isto but used before nouns (este, esta, estes, estas) for items close to the speaker. Example: Este livro é meu.
This book is mine.
Practical classroom and self-study exercises
Exercise 1: Label objects around you. Say the sentence with the noun: Essa cadeira, esse copo, esse celular. If you point without naming the noun, say isso.
Exercise 2: Listen to short dialogues or watch a simple video and pause when you hear a demonstrative. Ask yourself: is a noun coming next? If yes, it should be an adjectival form.
Exercise 3: Write short messages using both forms: send simple sentences to a language partner, for example: Mostre-me esse café. Eu não gostei disso.
Conclusion
Beginners confuse esse and isso because English uses one word for several roles Portuguese separates. Remember: use esse before nouns with gender and number agreement; use isso to stand alone and refer to ideas or previously mentioned things. With specific examples, short drills, and attention to position, you will soon make more confident, natural choices in everyday Brazilian Portuguese.
