Introduction
Learning Spanish demonstratives helps you point to people and things accurately. This article explains the plural demonstratives Estos and Estas in plain English, with clear rules, examples, and tips so you can use them confidently in everyday conversation.
- What are demonstratives and why they matter
- Basic rules: when to use estos vs estas
- Gender and number agreement in detail
- Positions: demonstratives before and after nouns
- Distinguishing estos/estas from esos/esas and aquellos/aquellas
- Pronunciation and stress patterns
- Real-life sentences and short dialogues
- Usage notes: regional and conversational variations
- Short reference chart (text form)
- Tips for practicing and remembering
- Common phrases that use estos/estas
- Conclusion
What are demonstratives and why they matter
Demonstratives are words that indicate specific people or objects relative to the speaker. In English we use this, that, these, those. Spanish has several sets of demonstratives that change depending on gender and number, and sometimes distance or emphasis. Understanding Estos and Estas is essential because they are used frequently in spoken and written Spanish.
Quick overview: gender and number
Spanish nouns have gender (masculine or feminine) and number (singular or plural). Demonstratives must agree with the noun they modify in both gender and number. That means:
Masculine plural nouns use estos.
Feminine plural nouns use estas.
Basic rules: when to use estos vs estas
Use estos when referring to plural masculine nouns that are close to the speaker in space, time, or context. Examples of masculine plural nouns include libros, coches, amigos.
Use estas when referring to plural feminine nouns that are close to the speaker. Examples of feminine plural nouns include sillas, palabras, amigas.
Close to the speaker: a key idea
Both estos and estas express proximity. They generally correspond to English these. That means you use them when the items are near you, recent in conversation, or part of the current context.
Examples:
Estos libros son interesantes.
These books are interesting.
Estas sillas están rotas.
These chairs are broken.
Gender and number agreement in detail
Demonstratives must match the noun. If the noun is masculine and plural, use estos. If it is feminine and plural, use estas. You do not change the demonstrative based on the speaker’s gender—only on the noun.
Examples with masculine nouns:
Estos zapatos son nuevos.
These shoes are new.
Estos niños están en el parque.
These boys/children are in the park.
Examples with feminine nouns:
Estas flores huelen bien.
These flowers smell good.
Estas estudiantes llegaron temprano.
These students arrived early.
What about mixed-gender groups?
If a plural group contains both masculine and feminine members, Spanish defaults to the masculine plural. Use estos for mixed groups.
Example:
Estos amigos y amigas vendrán mañana.
These friends will come tomorrow.
Positions: demonstratives before and after nouns
In Spanish the demonstrative usually precedes the noun: estos libros, estas casas. However, you can also use them as pronouns without repeating the noun. When used alone, they still agree with the implied noun’s gender and number.
As an adjective (before noun):
Estas camisetas son cómodas.
These T-shirts are comfortable.
As a pronoun (without the noun):
¿Quieres estos o aquellos?
Do you want these or those?
Demonstratives with adjectives and emphasis
You can add adjectives after the noun. Agreement remains the same between the demonstrative and the noun, not between the demonstrative and the adjective.
Example:
Estos coches antiguos necesitan reparación.
These old cars need repair.
Estas casas grandes tienen jardín.
These big houses have a garden.
Distinguishing estos/estas from esos/esas and aquellos/aquellas
Spanish has three proximity levels: near the speaker, near the listener, and far from both. Estos and estas indicate items near the speaker. Esos and esas indicate items closer to the listener or not as close to the speaker. Aquellos and aquellas indicate items far from both.
Comparison examples:
Estos zapatos (close to me)
Esos zapatos (close to you or not close to me)
Aquellos zapatos (far from both)
Contextual examples to clarify distance
Imagine you and a friend at a market. If the seller points to items on your side of the table, use estos/estas. If the items are on your friend’s side, use esos/esas. If the items are across the street, use aquellos/aquellas.
Pronunciation and stress patterns
Pronounce estos as ES-tos and estas as ES-tas. The stress falls on the first syllable for both words. These words are unstressed compared to the noun in many sentences, so their pronunciation is quick and natural in conversation.
Common mistakes and how to avoid them
1. Mixing gender: Do not use estos with feminine nouns or estas with masculine nouns. Always check the noun’s gender first.
2. Forgetting number: Use singular demonstratives for singular nouns (este, esta) and plural for plural (estos, estas).
3. Confusing proximity: Remember estos/estas mean closer to the speaker. If you mean those near the listener, use esos/esas.
Real-life sentences and short dialogues
Here are practical examples you can hear in everyday conversation. They show different contexts where estos or estas are the correct choice.
At a café:
Mesero: ¿Quiere probar estas tartas?
Cliente: Sí, por favor. ¿Cuáles son?
Mesero: Estas de manzana y estas de chocolate son las más populares.
At home pointing to dishes:
Estos platos están limpios.
Pon estos en la mesa.
Talking about photos on your phone:
Mira estas fotos de las vacaciones.
¿Recuerdas cuando fuimos a la playa?
Using demonstratives with verbs like gustar and parecer
When you use verbs such as gustar or parecer, the demonstrative still matches the noun that follows or the implied noun. For example:
Me gustan estos libros.
These books please me / I like these books.
Me parecen muy buenas estas ideas.
These ideas seem very good to me.
Usage notes: regional and conversational variations
Some speakers may use demonstratives slightly differently in informal contexts. In many Latin American countries, demonstratives are used frequently in conversation to clarify which object is meant. In Spain, you might also encounter contractions or emphasis differences, but the core rule of agreement does not change.
Another note: in spoken Spanish, demonstratives are often accompanied by gestures, which help clarify distance and avoid ambiguity. Combine a demonstrative with pointing or body language for clarity.
Short reference chart (text form)
Singular near me: este (masculine), esta (feminine).
Plural near me: estos (masculine), estas (feminine).
Near you: esos, esas. Far from both: aquellos, aquellas.
When demonstratives replace nouns: using them as pronouns
When you leave out the noun and use the demonstrative alone, it functions as a pronoun. The meaning is still understood from context. Examples:
Prefiero estos.
I prefer these.
No quiero estas.
I don’t want these.
Tips for practicing and remembering
1. Practice by labeling objects around you: estos libros, estas tazas. Say them out loud and point to the objects.
2. Notice gender endings: words ending in -o are often masculine, -a often feminine. That helps choose estos or estas.
3. Think proximity: If the object is near you, think these and use estos or estas. If it is farther away, switch to esos/esas or aquellos/aquellas.
Common phrases that use estos/estas
Estos días meaning these days, often used to talk about the current period.
Estas vacaciones meaning these holidays or this vacation period.
Estos momentos meaning these moments, used when referring to a specific time frame.
Conclusion
Mastering estos and estas is straightforward once you remember two rules: match the noun in gender and number, and use them for things near the speaker. With regular exposure and simple practice—labeling objects, repeating short sentences, and listening to native speakers—you will incorporate these demonstratives naturally into your Spanish.
