Demonstrative Pronouns: “Este”, “Esse”, “Aquele”

Introduction

Mastering demonstrative pronouns is essential for anyone learning Portuguese. These small but powerful words—este, esse, and aquele—help speakers indicate distance and relationship to objects, people, and ideas. Unlike English, which primarily uses this and that, Portuguese employs a three-tier system that adds nuance and precision to communication.

Understanding the Three-Distance System

Portuguese demonstrative pronouns operate on a unique spatial and temporal framework that reflects the speaker’s perspective. This system divides the world into three distinct zones of reference, each with its own set of pronouns. Learning to navigate these zones will dramatically improve your ability to communicate with clarity and sound more natural when speaking Portuguese.

The Basic Framework

The three-distance system in Portuguese corresponds to the three grammatical persons in conversation. Este relates to the first person (the speaker), esse relates to the second person (the listener), and aquele relates to the third person (neither speaker nor listener). This grammatical logic provides a helpful memory aid as you learn to distinguish between these pronouns.

Think of these pronouns as creating invisible circles around people in a conversation. The closest circle belongs to este, the middle circle to esse, and the farthest circle to aquele. Understanding this visualization will help you choose the correct pronoun in various situations.

Este: Proximity to the Speaker

The demonstrative este and its variations indicate something close to the speaker in space, time, or discourse. When you use este, you’re essentially saying this thing is in my sphere—it’s near me, it’s my time, or it’s my topic.

Spatial Uses of Este

When referring to objects or people physically close to you, este is your go-to pronoun. Imagine holding a book in your hands. You would say:

Este livro é interessante.
(This book is interesting.)

The book is in your immediate vicinity—perhaps you’re holding it or it’s on the desk right in front of you. The proximity is both physical and possessive; it’s in your space and under your control.

Consider another example where you’re wearing a watch:

Este relógio foi um presente.
(This watch was a gift.)

The watch is on your wrist, making it undeniably close to you. You wouldn’t use esse or aquele for something you’re literally wearing or holding.

Temporal Uses of Este

The pronoun este also refers to the present time or very recent past. When discussing the current moment or immediate timeframe, este is appropriate:

Este ano tem sido desafiador.
(This year has been challenging.)

You’re talking about the current year—the one you’re living in right now. Similarly, you might say:

Esta semana estou muito ocupado.
(This week I am very busy.)

The week in question is the present week, the one currently unfolding. This temporal closeness mirrors the spatial closeness we discussed earlier.

Discourse Uses of Este

In written or spoken discourse, este refers to something you’re about to mention or have just mentioned. When introducing a new topic, you might write:

Este é o problema: não temos tempo suficiente.
(This is the problem: we don’t have enough time.)

You’re directing attention to something in your immediate discourse—the problem you’re about to explain. This usage makes este particularly useful in presentations, essays, and formal speech.

Esse: Proximity to the Listener

The demonstrative esse occupies the middle ground in Portuguese spatial reference. It indicates something close to the listener or at a moderate distance from the speaker. This pronoun creates a connection between the item being discussed and the person you’re speaking to.

Spatial Uses of Esse

When you want to reference something near your conversation partner, esse is the correct choice. Imagine your friend is holding a pen:

Esse caneta escreve bem?
(Does that pen write well?)

The pen isn’t in your hand; it’s in your friend’s hand or immediate space. By using esse, you acknowledge that the object is in their sphere rather than yours.

Another common scenario involves asking about something the other person is wearing:

Onde você comprou essa camisa?
(Where did you buy that shirt?)

The shirt belongs to and is being worn by your conversation partner, making essa the natural choice.

Temporal Uses of Esse

Temporally, esse refers to a recent past or a time that has just been mentioned. When discussing something that happened recently but isn’t happening right now, esse works well:

Esse mês foi muito produtivo.
(That month was very productive.)

If you’re speaking in early February about January, you would use esse because the timeframe is recent but no longer current. The same logic applies to other time references:

Você se lembra desse dia?
(Do you remember that day?)

You’re asking about a specific day in the recent past that both participants in the conversation can recall.

Discourse Uses of Esse

In conversation, esse often refers to something the other person mentioned or to something just discussed:

Entendo esse ponto de vista.
(I understand that point of view.)

You’re acknowledging a perspective that was just expressed, likely by your conversation partner. This usage shows that you’re actively listening and engaging with what the other person has said.

Aquele: Distance from Both Parties

The demonstrative aquele indicates distance from both speaker and listener. It’s the furthest point in the three-tier system, referring to something remote in space, time, or discourse. This pronoun adds a sense of separation or objectivity to what you’re describing.

Spatial Uses of Aquele

When pointing to something far from both you and your conversation partner, aquele is appropriate:

Aquele prédio é muito alto.
(That building over there is very tall.)

The building is at a distance—perhaps across the street or on the horizon. Neither you nor your listener is near it. The distance implied by aquele often requires additional pointing or context to clarify exactly what you mean.

Consider another example:

Você vê aquela montanha ao longe?
(Do you see that mountain in the distance?)

The mountain is far away from both of you, making aquela the only logical choice. The phrase ao longe (in the distance) reinforces the remoteness that aquela already implies.

Temporal Uses of Aquele

Temporally, aquele refers to the distant past—times that feel removed from the present moment:

Aquele ano foi inesquecível.
(That year was unforgettable.)

You’re talking about a year that’s clearly in the past, perhaps several years ago. The distance in time mirrors the distance in space. Another example:

Lembro-me daquela época com carinho.
(I remember that time fondly.)

The época (era or time) being remembered is distant enough to be viewed with nostalgia or perspective. It’s not recent—it’s part of your history.

Discourse Uses of Aquele

In discourse, aquele often refers to something mentioned earlier in a conversation or text, something that’s no longer the immediate topic:

Voltando àquele assunto que discutimos antes…
(Returning to that subject we discussed earlier…)

You’re bringing up a topic from earlier in the conversation, one that has since been set aside. The distance here is discursive rather than physical or temporal.

Gender and Number Agreement

Like all Portuguese adjectives and pronouns, demonstratives must agree in gender and number with the nouns they modify or replace. This agreement system is fundamental to Portuguese grammar and affects how you use este, esse, and aquele in practice.

Complete Forms

Each demonstrative has four forms to match the four possible combinations of gender and number:

For este:
Masculine singular: este (this)
Feminine singular: esta (this)
Masculine plural: estes (these)
Feminine plural: estas (these)

For esse:
Masculine singular: esse (that)
Feminine singular: essa (that)
Masculine plural: esses (those)
Feminine plural: essas (those)

For aquele:
Masculine singular: aquele (that over there)
Feminine singular: aquela (that over there)
Masculine plural: aqueles (those over there)
Feminine plural: aquelas (those over there)

Practical Examples of Agreement

When using these demonstratives with nouns, the agreement must be exact:

Esta casa é bonita. (feminine singular)
(This house is beautiful.)

Estes carros são caros. (masculine plural)
(These cars are expensive.)

Essas flores são lindas. (feminine plural)
(Those flowers are beautiful.)

Aqueles livros são antigos. (masculine plural)
(Those books over there are old.)

The demonstrative always matches the noun in both gender and number, creating harmony in the sentence structure.

Contractions with Prepositions

Portuguese demonstratives frequently combine with prepositions to form contractions. These contractions are mandatory in Portuguese—you cannot keep the preposition and demonstrative separate. Learning these forms is essential for natural-sounding Portuguese.

Contractions with De

The preposition de (of, from) contracts with all demonstratives:

de + este = deste
de + esse = desse
de + aquele = daquele

These contractions appear in countless everyday expressions:

Gosto deste sabor.
(I like this flavor.)

Não gosto desse filme.
(I don’t like that movie.)

Lembro-me daquele dia.
(I remember that day.)

Contractions with Em

The preposition em (in, on, at) also contracts with demonstratives:

em + este = neste
em + esse = nesse
em + aquele = naquele

Examples in context:

Neste momento, estou ocupado.
(At this moment, I am busy.)

Moro nessa rua.
(I live on that street.)

Estudei naquela escola.
(I studied at that school.)

Contractions with A

The preposition a (to, at) contracts only with aquele and its forms:

a + aquele = àquele
a + aquela = àquela
a + aqueles = àqueles
a + aquelas = àquelas

Notice the grave accent, which indicates the contraction:

Vou àquela loja.
(I’m going to that store over there.)

Refiro-me àquele problema.
(I’m referring to that problem.)

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even intermediate learners sometimes struggle with demonstrative pronouns. Understanding common pitfalls will help you avoid them and sound more natural in Portuguese.

Confusing Este and Esse

The most frequent mistake involves mixing up este and esse. Remember the golden rule: este is for things close to you (the speaker), while esse is for things close to the listener or at a moderate distance.

Incorrect: Você pode me passar este livro? (when the book is near the listener)
Correct: Você pode me passar esse livro?
(Can you pass me that book?)

If you’re asking someone to pass you something, it’s near them, not you, so esse is correct.

Forgetting Gender Agreement

Another common error involves failing to match the demonstrative to the noun’s gender:

Incorrect: Este mesa é nova.
Correct: Esta mesa é nova.
(This table is new.)

The word mesa is feminine, so you must use esta, not este. Always check the gender of the noun before selecting your demonstrative.

Using Wrong Forms in Contractions

Learners sometimes forget to use contractions when they’re required:

Incorrect: Gosto de este café.
Correct: Gosto deste café.
(I like this coffee.)

The preposition de must contract with este to form deste. Keeping them separate sounds unnatural and is grammatically incorrect.

Regional Variations and Colloquial Usage

While the three-tier demonstrative system is standard across the Portuguese-speaking world, some regional variations and colloquial tendencies exist. Understanding these nuances will help you comprehend native speakers better and choose appropriate forms for different contexts.

Brazilian Portuguese Tendencies

In Brazilian Portuguese, especially in casual conversation, speakers sometimes simplify the system by using esse more broadly. You might hear esse used even for things close to the speaker, particularly in informal contexts:

Colloquial: Esse meu celular está quebrado.
Standard: Este meu celular está quebrado.
(This cellphone of mine is broken.)

While este would be technically correct (the phone belongs to the speaker), many Brazilians would comfortably use esse in conversation. However, in formal writing and speech, the traditional distinctions remain important.

Demonstratives with Gestures

Native speakers often combine demonstratives with gestures to clarify meaning. When using aquele, pointing or nodding in the direction of the distant object is common:

Vamos àquela praia. (accompanied by pointing)
(Let’s go to that beach over there.)

These physical cues help disambiguate which object you’re referring to when multiple options exist. As a learner, don’t hesitate to use gestures to support your demonstratives—it’s perfectly natural and helpful.

Demonstratives in Questions and Exclamations

Demonstrative pronouns play important roles in questions and exclamations, adding specificity and emotional color to your speech. Mastering these uses will make your Portuguese more expressive and engaging.

Forming Questions

Questions with demonstratives often seek identification or clarification:

O que é isto?
(What is this?)

Quem é aquela pessoa?
(Who is that person over there?)

De quem é esse casaco?
(Whose coat is that?)

Notice how the demonstrative helps narrow down exactly what you’re asking about, providing spatial context for your question.

Expressing Surprise or Emphasis

In exclamations, demonstratives can convey amazement, disbelief, or strong feelings:

Esta festa está incrível!
(This party is incredible!)

Não acredito nessa história!
(I don’t believe that story!)

Aquele foi o melhor dia da minha vida!
(That was the best day of my life!)

The demonstrative adds emphasis and helps situate the speaker’s emotional response in relation to the subject.

Neutral Demonstratives: Isto, Isso, Aquilo

Portuguese also features neutral demonstrative forms that don’t refer to specific gendered nouns. These forms—isto, isso, and aquilo—are used when referring to abstract concepts, situations, or unspecified things.

When to Use Neutral Forms

Use isto for abstract concepts or situations close to the speaker:

Isto é importante.
(This is important.)

You’re not referring to a specific object but rather to an idea, situation, or concept. The neuter form is perfect for these abstract references.

Use isso for concepts related to the listener or at moderate distance:

Isso mesmo!
(That’s right! / Exactly!)

This common expression shows agreement with something the other person said or did.

Use aquilo for distant or previously mentioned abstract concepts:

Aquilo que você disse foi verdade.
(That which you said was true.)

You’re referring back to something said earlier, using the neutral form because you’re referencing the content of speech rather than a specific noun.

Common Expressions with Neutral Demonstratives

Many everyday expressions employ these neutral forms:

O que é isto?
(What is this?)

Por isso!
(That’s why!)

Aquilo ali é estranho.
(That thing over there is strange.)

These expressions are fundamental to natural conversation and appear constantly in everyday Portuguese.

Demonstratives in Written Portuguese

While we’ve focused primarily on spoken usage, demonstratives play crucial roles in written Portuguese as well. Academic writing, literature, and formal communication all employ these pronouns with specific conventions.

Academic and Formal Writing

In formal writing, demonstratives help organize arguments and refer back to previously mentioned concepts:

Este estudo demonstra que…
(This study demonstrates that…)

The writer is introducing their own study, so este is appropriate. When referring to another author’s work:

Esse autor argumenta que…
(That author argues that…)

The author being discussed is separate from the writer, justifying esse. For something mentioned much earlier in the text:

Como mencionado naquele capítulo…
(As mentioned in that chapter…)

Literary Uses

Literature often employs demonstratives for dramatic or stylistic effect. Writers might use aquele to create a sense of nostalgia or distance:

Aquela noite mudou tudo.
(That night changed everything.)

The use of aquela immediately signals that the night being described is in the past and carries significance. This creates an atmospheric opening that draws readers into the narrative.

Practice Strategies for Mastery

Learning to use demonstrative pronouns correctly requires practice and exposure. Here are effective strategies to internalize these important words and use them naturally.

Visualization Techniques

Create mental images associating each demonstrative with its distance zone. Imagine yourself in the center of three concentric circles: the innermost is este, the middle is esse, and the outermost is aquele. Whenever you encounter an object, place it mentally in one of these circles before speaking.

Contextual Learning

Pay attention to how native speakers use demonstratives in different contexts. Watch Brazilian shows or Portuguese films, noting when speakers choose este versus esse versus aquele. Create a personal collection of examples from authentic sources to review regularly.

Active Practice Exercises

Practice describing your environment using all three demonstratives. Look around your room and create sentences: Este computador está na minha mesa (this computer is on my desk), Essa janela tem vista para o jardim (that window has a view of the garden), Aquele prédio é muito distante (that building over there is very far). This exercise builds automatic usage patterns.

Cultural Notes on Demonstrative Use

Understanding the cultural context of demonstrative pronoun usage enriches your comprehension and helps you communicate more effectively with native Portuguese speakers.

Politeness and Social Distance

In some contexts, the choice of demonstrative can subtly convey social relationships. Using esse might acknowledge the other person’s connection to or ownership of something, showing respect for their space and possessions. Conversely, using este for something that belongs to someone else could sound presumptuous.

Regional Expressions

Certain regions have characteristic expressions using demonstratives. In Brazil, you’ll frequently hear isso aí (literally, that there) as an emphatic agreement or encouragement: Isso aí! Keep going! Understanding these regional flavor words helps you connect with locals and appreciate linguistic diversity.

Advanced Applications

Once you’ve mastered basic demonstrative usage, you can explore more sophisticated applications that native speakers use to add nuance and style to their Portuguese.

Rhetorical Uses

Skilled speakers use demonstratives rhetorically to create effects in persuasive speech:

Este é o momento de agir.
(This is the moment to act.)

By using este, the speaker emphasizes the immediacy and urgency of the present moment, making the call to action more compelling.

Temporal Sophistication

Advanced learners can employ demonstratives to navigate complex temporal relationships. When discussing multiple time periods in one conversation, careful demonstrative choice helps listeners track which period you’re referencing without confusion or repetition.

Integration with Other Grammar Concepts

Demonstrative pronouns don’t exist in isolation—they interact with other grammatical structures in Portuguese. Understanding these interactions deepens your overall language competence.

Demonstratives and Relative Clauses

Demonstratives often introduce relative clauses, creating complex sentences:

Aquele que trabalha duro sempre vence.
(That person who works hard always wins.)

The demonstrative serves as the antecedent for the relative pronoun que, linking the two clauses smoothly.

Demonstratives and Possessives

Sometimes demonstratives and possessives appear together for emphasis or clarification:

Este meu amigo é muito legal.
(This friend of mine is very cool.)

The combination of este and meu reinforces both the proximity and the relationship, making the statement more personal and emphatic.

Conclusion

Mastering demonstrative pronouns—este, esse, and aquele—significantly enhances your Portuguese communication skills. These pronouns provide precision and nuance that make your speech more natural and effective. By understanding the three-tier distance system, practicing gender and number agreement, and learning common contractions, you’ll gain confidence in using these essential words. Remember that consistent practice and exposure to native speakers remain the best paths to fluency.