Lesson 17: Demonstratives and Colours
Este, ese, aquel — Point things out and describe colours
Use the words in a sentence: Este libro rojo es mío; esa mochila azul es de Ana. Ask a partner: ¿Qué color tiene esta cosa? Notice the meaning before you memorise a translation.
English-speaker check: Distance matters: este near me, ese near you, aquel far away.
Today’s Goals
- ✓Use este, ese, aquel correctly (with gender & number)
- ✓Describe objects using basic colour words
- ✓Avoid common English-speaker mistakes
Say it, then make it yours: Este libro rojo es mío; esa mochila azul es de Ana. Follow with your own answer: ¿Qué color tiene esta cosa?
English-speaker check: Distance matters: este near me, ese near you, aquel far away.
Three Distances in Spanish
| Distance | Spanish | English |
|---|---|---|
| Near me | este / esta | this |
| Near you | ese / esa | that |
| Far from both | aquel / aquella | that (over there) |
Say it, then make it yours: Este libro rojo es mío; esa mochila azul es de Ana. Follow with your own answer: ¿Qué color tiene esta cosa?
English-speaker check: Distance matters: este near me, ese near you, aquel far away.
Demonstrative Forms – Masculine
| Singular | Plural | |
|---|---|---|
| Near me | este coche | estos coches |
| Near you | ese bolígrafo | esos bolígrafos |
| Far away | aquel edificio | aquellos edificios |
Model first, then personalise it: Este libro rojo es mío; esa mochila azul es de Ana. Continue with one more detail. Partner prompt: ¿Qué color tiene esta cosa?
English-speaker check: Distance matters: este near me, ese near you, aquel far away.
Demonstrative Forms – Feminine
| Singular | Plural | |
|---|---|---|
| Near me | esta casa | estas casas |
| Near you | esa silla | esas sillas |
| Far away | aquella montaña | aquellas montañas |
Model first, then personalise it: Este libro rojo es mío; esa mochila azul es de Ana. Continue with one more detail. Partner prompt: ¿Qué color tiene esta cosa?
English-speaker check: Distance matters: este near me, ese near you, aquel far away.
Neuter Forms: No Noun Attached
¿Qué es esto? → What is this? (unknown object)
Eso no es verdad. → That is not true. (an idea)
Aquello fue increíble. → That (whole thing) was incredible.
Never use neuter forms before a noun!
Time Distance with Aquel
Recuerdo aquellos días en la playa.
I remember those days at the beach.
En aquel año, viajamos a México.
In that year, we traveled to Mexico.
Aquel/aquella can refer to distant past time.
Demonstratives Standing Alone
—¿Te gustan estos zapatos o esos?
—Do you like these shoes or those?
—Prefiero estos.
—I prefer these.
Once the noun is known, drop it!
Say it, then make it yours: Este libro rojo es mío; esa mochila azul es de Ana. Follow with your own answer: ¿Qué color tiene esta cosa?
English-speaker check: Distance matters: este near me, ese near you, aquel far away.
Common Mistakes – Watch Out!
✗ este casa → ✓ esta casa
✗ esos libro → ✓ ese libro
✗ aquel mujer → ✓ aquella mujer
Agree in gender AND number!
Say it, then make it yours: Este libro rojo es mío; esa mochila azul es de Ana. Follow with your own answer: ¿Qué color tiene esta cosa?
English-speaker check: Distance matters: este near me, ese near you, aquel far away.
Let’s Practise: Choose the Right Word
- —¿Ves ___ coche allí? (far away) → ¿aquel?
- —¿Me pasas ___ pluma? (near you) → ¿esa?
- —___ mochila es mía. (near me) → Esta.
Introducing Colours
Colours are adjectives—they usually come AFTER the noun.
1
rojo
/ˈro.xo/
2
azul
/aˈθul/
3
verde
/ˈbeɾ.ðe/
4
amarillo
/a.maˈɾi.ʎo/
Use the words in a sentence: Este libro rojo es mío; esa mochila azul es de Ana. Ask a partner: ¿Qué color tiene esta cosa? Notice the meaning before you memorise a translation.
English-speaker check: Distance matters: este near me, ese near you, aquel far away.
More Colours
5
blanco
/ˈblaŋ.ko/
6
negro
/ˈne.ɣɾo/
7
rosa
/ˈɾo.sa/
8
morado
/moˈɾa.ðo/
Use the words in a sentence: Este libro rojo es mío; esa mochila azul es de Ana. Ask a partner: ¿Qué color tiene esta cosa? Notice the meaning before you memorise a translation.
English-speaker check: Distance matters: este near me, ese near you, aquel far away.
Colour + Noun Examples
un coche rojo
a red car
una camiseta azul
a blue T-shirt
unos zapatos blancos
some white shoes
Say it, then make it yours: Este libro rojo es mío; esa mochila azul es de Ana. Follow with your own answer: ¿Qué color tiene esta cosa?
English-speaker check: Distance matters: este near me, ese near you, aquel far away.
Combining Demonstratives + Colours
Este bolígrafo verde es mío.
This green pen is mine.
¿Ves aquella casa amarilla?
Do you see that yellow house over there?
Use the words in a sentence: Este libro rojo es mío; esa mochila azul es de Ana. Ask a partner: ¿Qué color tiene esta cosa? Notice the meaning before you memorise a translation.
English-speaker check: Distance matters: este near me, ese near you, aquel far away.
Mini Dialogue Practice
—¿Cuánto cuesta esta falda roja?
—Esa cuesta 20 €, pero aquellas blusas azules están en oferta.
—¡Genial! Voy a probar estas.
Think before you reveal the answer: Model answer: Este libro rojo es mío; esa mochila azul es de Ana. Now say or write your own answer to: ¿Qué color tiene esta cosa?
English-speaker check: Distance matters: este near me, ese near you, aquel far away.
Quick Quiz: Fix the Error
- Ese camisa azul → Esa camisa azul
- Aquel coches negros → Aquellos coches negros
- Esto libro rojo → Este libro rojo
Think before you reveal the answer: Model answer: Este libro rojo es mío; esa mochila azul es de Ana. Now say or write your own answer to: ¿Qué color tiene esta cosa?
English-speaker check: Distance matters: este near me, ese near you, aquel far away.
Speaking Practice
Look around the classroom. Describe 3 things using:
- a demonstrative (este/esa/aquellos, etc.)
- a colour
Example: “Esa mochila negra es de Ana.”
Work in pairs – 2 minutes!
Think before you reveal the answer: Model answer: Este libro rojo es mío; esa mochila azul es de Ana. Now say or write your own answer to: ¿Qué color tiene esta cosa?
English-speaker check: Distance matters: este near me, ese near you, aquel far away.
Review: Key Rules
• Este = near me; ese = near you; aquel = far away
• All agree in gender & number with the noun
• Neuter: esto/eso/aquello = no noun, abstract ideas
• Colours usually follow the noun and agree in number
Homework & Preview
️ Write 8 sentences: combine demonstratives + colours + nouns
Listen to the dialogue audio on Word Play
️ Next: Possessive adjectives – mi, tu, su...
Take-away practice: Say this without looking: Este libro rojo es mío; esa mochila azul es de Ana. For homework, answer in two Spanish sentences: ¿Qué color tiene esta cosa?
English-speaker check: Distance matters: este near me, ese near you, aquel far away.
Great Work Today!
You can now:
- Point accurately with este, ese, aquel
- Describe things using colours
- Avoid classic English-speaker traps
¡Hasta la próxima clase!
Take-away practice: Say this without looking: Este libro rojo es mío; esa mochila azul es de Ana. For homework, answer in two Spanish sentences: ¿Qué color tiene esta cosa?
English-speaker check: Distance matters: este near me, ese near you, aquel far away.
Notes