Introduction
Many learners of Brazilian Portuguese get confused between esse and este. Both translate roughly as this/that in English, but they carry different information about distance, time, and discourse. This article explains the rules, shows real Brazilian usage, and gives clear examples to help you choose the right word in everyday situations.
Basic distinction: proximal, medial, distal
In Portuguese demonstratives mark distance relative to speaker and listener. The basic three-way system is proximal (near the speaker), medial (near the listener), and distal (far from both). In Brazilian Portuguese the main forms are este (proximal), esse (medial), and aquele (distal).
Think of a simple spatial setup: the speaker holds an object, the listener has an object, or the object is far from both. Use este for objects close to the speaker, esse for objects close to the listener or introduced earlier in the conversation, and aquele for objects far from both.
Proximal: using este
Este indicates something near the speaker in space or time, or something the speaker is presenting now. It is common when the speaker holds or points to an item, or when introducing a new idea. In Brazilian Portuguese, este can feel slightly formal or more precise than esse, but it is widely used.
Examples:
Este é o meu livro.
— I am holding the book; it belongs to me.
Vou falar sobre este ponto agora.
— The speaker introduces a topic that is current or immediate.
Medial: using esse
Esse is used for something near the listener or for something already mentioned in the conversation. In many situations Brazilians prefer esse because conversations frequently refer back to previously introduced ideas or things the listener has. In spoken Brazilian Portuguese, esse is extremely common and can feel more natural in informal contexts.
Examples:
Você tem esse livro?
— The listener might have the book or it was previously referenced.
Eu gosto desse filme que você mencionou.
— Refers back to a film already mentioned; note contraction with de + esse = desse.
Temporal uses: past vs. present/future
Demonstratives also apply to time. Use este for something in the immediate present or future, and esse for something in the recent past or something that belongs to the listener’s timeframe.
Examples:
Este mês estou muito ocupado.
— The speaker refers to the current month.
Você gostou do filme que passou esse fim de semana?
— The film belongs to a recent past period associated with the listener or the shared time frame.
Discourse function: anaphora and deixis
In discourse terms, esse commonly functions anaphorically: it refers back to something already mentioned. Este often functions deixically: it points to something the speaker is presenting right now. Understanding this helps with natural conversations and written texts.
Examples in a short dialogue:
— Quero te mostrar uma foto. Este é o lugar onde cresci.
— Ah, eu conheço esse lugar. Não?
In this exchange, este is used to point to the photo the speaker is showing. Later, esse refers back to the place now familiar to the listener.
Contractions and agreement
Demonstratives agree in gender and number with nouns in Portuguese. They can also contract with prepositions. Remember the common contractions:
de + esse = desse
de + este = deste
em + esse = nesse
em + este = neste
Examples:
Gosto deste livro.
Ele falou desse problema ontem.
Ela está neste restaurante agora.
Chegamos nesse bairro pela primeira vez.
Possessive-like uses and close register
Sometimes Portuguese speakers use este or esse in ways that feel similar to possessives or to mark closeness. For example, este may feel more intimate when the speaker holds something: este meu amigo, este momento. Meanwhile, esse can mark a connection to the listener: esse seu projeto, esse modo de falar.
Examples:
Este meu amigo mora no Rio.
Esse seu projeto precisa de revisão.
Real Brazilian usage: spoken vs written differences
In real Brazilian Portuguese, usage differs by region, register, and context. Spoken Brazilian often favors esse where European Portuguese might prefer este. Informal speech tends to use esse more broadly, sometimes even where strict distance rules would suggest este.
Examples of colloquial patterns:
Você viu esse filme ontem? — Common in spoken Brazilian even if the speaker was the one who watched it.
Também vemos cases where people use esse to introduce a topic in informal speech, especially in fast conversation: Sabe esse lance de que…
Formal writing and clarity
In formal writing, such as academic texts, newspapers, or official documents, the three-way distinction is maintained more carefully. Writers use este for immediate reference and to avoid ambiguity, especially when listing or defining items. If you want to be precise in writing, prefer the classical distinctions.
Journalistic example:
Este relatório apresenta os dados do trimestre atual. Esse capítulo trata das projeções do ano passado. Aquele apêndice contém referências externas.
Common pitfalls for English speakers
English speakers often collapse all demonstratives into this/that and miss the speaker-listener distance nuance. Here are frequent mistakes and how to avoid them:
1. Using este for things far from both people. Correction: use aquele for distant things.
2. Using este when referring back to something already mentioned. Correction: use esse to mark anaphora.
3. Overusing este because it feels like this in English. Correction: learn the natural rhythm of Brazilian usage where esse is often preferred in speech.
Examples contrasting English confusion
English: This book you mentioned yesterday was great.
Portuguese correct: O livro que você mencionou ontem foi ótimo. (or Você mencionou esse livro ontem? Foi ótimo.)
English: This here is my friend.
Portuguese: Este aqui é meu amigo. (speaker points to friend)
Regional and conversational notes
Brazil is large and usage varies. In the South and Southeast, speakers may adhere more to the classical distinctions in formal contexts, but in everyday speech esse remains frequent. In the Northeast, intonation and context play larger roles and demonstratives can be flexible. Listening to native Brazilian speech will help you internalize patterns faster than memorizing rules alone.
Media examples:
TV presenters and newscasts often use este when introducing a subject on-screen: Este é o caso que vamos analisar hoje. In contrast, soap operas and informal interviews use esse a lot.
Pronunciation and rhythm tips
Pronunciation differences are subtle: este and esse are pronounced with similar vowel quality, but stress and prosody signal meaning. Native speakers often reduce demonstratives in rapid speech, especially esse which can sound almost like isse. Practice listening for context — physical gestures, shared knowledge, and prior sentences will indicate which demonstrative to choose.
Practical guidelines: quick decision rules
When in doubt, use these practical rules tailored to Brazilian usage:
1. If the object or idea is physically with the speaker or being introduced now, use este.
2. If it is with the listener or already mentioned earlier in the conversation, use esse.
3. If it is far from both, use aquele.
4. In informal spoken Brazilian, defaulting to esse is often acceptable and will sound natural in many contexts.
5. In formal writing, respect the three-way distinction and use contractions to sound idiomatic.
Mini reference: forms and examples
Masculine singular: este / esse / aquele
Feminine singular: esta / essa / aquela
Masculine plural: estes / esses / aqueles
Feminine plural: estas / essas / aquelas
Short examples for each:
Este carro é novo.
Esse carro é seu?
Aquele carro é deles.
Conclusion
Understanding the difference between este and esse will improve your accuracy and naturalness in Brazilian Portuguese. Remember the speaker-listener distance, temporal uses, and discourse role: este for what is near or being presented by the speaker, esse for what belongs to the listener or has been mentioned. Pay attention to spoken patterns in Brazil where esse is often favored, and use formal distinctions in writing for clarity.
