This in Spanish: Meaning, Pronunciation, and Use in Daily Life

What is This in Spanish

“This” in Spanish can be este, esta, esto, or esta. It depends on gender and grammatical context.
It can be a demonstrative pronoun or an adjective. Which is to refer to something close to the speaker.

Examples:

• Este libro. (This book.) 
• Esta casa. (This house.) 
• This is interesting. 

It’s one of the most expensive words you’ll ever get to use when you’re having a straightforward conversation regarding something near and dear to you.

Pronunciation of Este and Esta

• Este is ES-teh. 
• Esta is ES-tah. 
• Esto is ES-toh. 

Break them down:

• Es → es 
• te / ta / to → teh / tah / toh 

Say them slowly and enunciately.

Gender and Number

Adjectives have to match the noun they qualify in number and gender in it.

This is how it changes:

• Este – masculine singular 
• Esta – feminine singular 
• Estos – masculine plural  
• Estas – feminine plural  

Examples:

• Este perro. (This dog.) 
• Esta silla. (This chair.) 
• These shoes. 
• These flowers. 

If “this” is singular, something previously referred to but not defined, then use esto.

How to Use Este, Esta, and Esto in Sentences

You use este and esta before a noun and esto when the object itself isn’t defined.

Examples:

• Este café está caliente. (This coffee is hot.) 
• Esta niña es muy amable. (This girl is very kind.) 
• Esto es increíble. (This is incredible.) 
• Esta camisa es nueva. (This shirt is new.) 
• Este coche es rápido. (This car is fast.) 

You use the words to describe or stress something which is near you physically and near you psychologically.

This vs That in Spanish

• If the object is near you, you say este / esta / esto. 
• If it is distant from you, you say ese / esa / eso. 

Examples:

• This book (closer to you and farther from the speaker) 
• That book – closer to you and farther from the speaker 

With location and distance, it is slightly simpler speaking Spanish.

This Book with Simple Sentences in Spanish

The following are simple sentences with “this” in Spanish:

• This place is beautiful. (Este lugar es hermoso.) 
• This food is delicious. (Esta comida está deliciosa.) 
• Esto no me gusta. 
• This is too pricey. 
• This is a great movie.
  

Also Read: Tired in Spanish: Meaning, Pronunciation, and Use

Spanish Questions with This

You also use this with este / esta / esto to form questions.

Examples:

• ¿Quién es este hombre? (Who is this man?) 
• ¿Dónde está esta tienda? (Where is this shop?)

Words and Phrases

The following words with their Spanish connections come after “this”:

• Aquí – here 
• Eso – that 
• Aquello – that over there 
• Cerca – near 
• Lejos – far 
• Ahora – now 

Examples:

• Este aquí. (This one here.) 
• Esto ahora. (This now.) 
• Esta cerca de mi casa. (This is near my house.) 

Cultural Note

Este/esta is also used very commonly by the indigenous Spanish speakers to emphasize something close to them. They will use it on things but not on people or to feelings either.

Example:

• Esta canción me encanta. (I love this song.)

Some speakers put an intonation or a movement on “this” to put extra emphasis on it. They mark on or stress este when they are pressed for time or impatient.

Most Common Mistakes with This in Spanish

The following are quick reminders not to get confused:

• Never ever put esto before a noun. Example: ❌ Esto libro → ✅ Este libro. 
• Use esto only when the noun is not being used. Example: Esto es bueno. 
• Always agree in number and gender. Example: ❌ Esta gato → ✅ Este gato. 

Practice Sentences

• Esta comida es picante. (This food is spicy.) 
• Esto parece fácil. (This seems easy.) 
• Estos niños son simpáticos. (These children are friendly.) 
• Estas flores son hermosas. (These flowers are beautiful.)
  

Spanish’s “this” here, este, esta, esto, is short, stingy, and even informal. You can use it to indicate, to point to, and to talk about the people and things near you.
It would be simple to master this and your Spanish: fluent.
The next time you have to indicate at, you can say it assertively:
Esto es bueno. (This is good.)

FAQs

What is “this” in Spanish?
“Este” in Spanish can be masculine este, feminine esta, or neuter esto.

How to pronounce este and esta?
Este is ES-teh and esta is ES-tah.

How to pronounce “this one” in Spanish?
You pronounce éste or ésta.

What is “this” plural form in Spanish?
Estos for masculine and estados for feminine.

How to say “this is mine” in Spanish?
Say “Este es mío.”.