Este y Ese: Señalando Cosas
this para lo que tienes cerca y that para lo que está lejos; ¡todo es cuestión de distancia!
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Use 'this' for things you can touch and 'that' for things further away.
- Use 'this' for one thing near you: 'This is my coffee.'
- Use 'that' for one thing far away: 'That is a bird.'
- Change to 'these' and 'those' when there is more than one object.
Overview
this y that es, literalmente, aprender a señalar el mundo que te rodea en inglés. Como hablante de español, tienes una ventaja enorme: nosotros ya hacemos esto de forma natural con palabras como este, ese o aquel. Sin embargo, el inglés simplifica mucho las reglas de juego, y entender esa simplificación es la clave para que dejes de traducir mentalmente y empieces a pensar en el idioma.this y that, estarías perdido intentando describir cosas complejas cuando solo necesitas señalar.económico. Mientras que en español nos preocupamos por si el objeto es masculino o femenino (este vs. esta) y por tres niveles de distancia (este, ese, aquel), el inglés reduce todo a dos opciones basadas únicamente en la cercanía.this y that es la proximidad o distancia respecto a ti, que eres quien habla. En inglés, el sistema es binario: o algo está cerca, o algo está lejos. No hay un punto medio complicado.This(Cerca): Se usa para referirse a un objeto singular que está en tu espacio inmediato. Piensa en algo que puedes tocar con la mano sin estirarte mucho, o algo que tienes en tu poder. Es el equivalente a nuestroesteoesta. Si tienes tu teléfono en la mano, dirás:This is my phone.
That(Lejos): Se usa para un objeto singular que está fuera de tu alcance inmediato. Puede estar al otro lado de la habitación, en la calle, o simplemente lo suficientemente lejos como para que tengas que señalarlo con el dedo. Equivale a nuestroese,esa,aqueloaquella. Si ves un avión en el cielo, dirás:That is a plane.
- 1Aquí (Cerca): Este/Esta.
- 2Ahí (Distancia media): Ese/Esa.
- 3Allí/Allá (Lejos): Aquel/Aquella.
aquí (cerca de ti) se convierte automáticamente en that. ¡Ojo!that.this y that pueden cumplir dos funciones en la frase:- 1Como determinantes: Acompañan a un sustantivo para especificar cuál es.
This coffee is cold (Este café está frío). Aquí, this describe al café.- 1Como pronombres: Sustituyen al nombre por completo porque ya sabemos de qué estamos hablando o porque estamos señalando directamente.
What is that? (¿Qué es eso?). Aquí, that ocupa el lugar del objeto desconocido.this y that son invariables. No cambian si el objeto es masculino o femenino. ¡Olvídate de las terminaciones en o o en a!this + sustantivo singular | this book (este libro) | this water (esta agua) |that + sustantivo singular | that chair (esa silla) | that sugar (ese azúcar) |This laptop is new.(Esta laptop es nueva - la tengo frente a mí).That building is very tall.(Aquel edificio es muy alto - está a lo lejos).I like this song.(Me gusta esta canción - la estamos escuchando ahora).
to be (is) para identificar cosas o personas.This is... | Is this...? |That is... | Is that...? |This is my house.(Esta es mi casa - estoy dentro o en la puerta).That is a nice car.(Ese es un buen coche - está pasando por la calle).Who is that?(¿Quién es ese/aquel? - señalando a alguien a distancia).What is this?(¿Qué es esto? - sosteniendo algo en la mano).
This y that se usan exclusivamente con sustantivos singulares. Nunca los uses para hablar de varias cosas (para eso usaremos these y those, que veremos en otra lección). Si hablas de una sola cosa, this o that son tus mejores amigos.this y that para navegar por el tiempo, las ideas y las situaciones sociales.I want this one, please.(Quiero este/a, por favor - señalando el producto en el mostrador).Look at that bird!(¡Mira ese pájaro! - señalando al cielo).
this, independientemente de si la persona es hombre o mujer.Mom, this is my friend, Carlos.(Mamá, este es mi amigo, Carlos).This is Sarah, my boss.(Esta es Sarah, mi jefa).
él es Carlos o ella es Sarah. En inglés, al presentar a alguien por primera vez de forma cercana, lo natural es decir this is.... Es como si dijeras aquí tienes a....Hello, this is Maria.(Hola, soy Maria / habla Maria).Who is that?(¿Quién habla? / ¿Quién es? - al otro lado de la línea).
Soy Maria, pero en inglés telefónico (y también en WhatsApp a veces), this is es la norma profesional y natural.this para el presente o el futuro cercano, y that para el pasado.This weekend is going to be great.(Este fin de semana va a ser genial - el que viene ahora).That dinner was delicious.(Aquella cena estuvo deliciosa - refiriéndote a algo que ya pasó).This is a busy month.(Este es un mes ajetreado - el mes actual).
That's true.(Eso es verdad - refiriéndote a algo que la otra persona acaba de decir).This is a big problem.(Este es un gran problema - refiriéndote a la situación actual en la que estás).I didn't know that.(No sabía eso).
este/esta)este libropero
esta mesa.
this o that.this y that son neutros. No importa si hablas de una mujer, un hombre, una mesa o un perro.This boy, This girl, This table.this para muchas cosas)This books are good.este y estos suenan parecidos, y a veces olvidamos que en inglés la palabra debe cambiar si hay más de un objeto.This y that son solo para uno. Si ves una s al final del sustantivo (books, cars, friends), no puedes usar this ni that.This book is good. That car is fast.that con itit cuando quieres señalar algo físicamente.It es un pronombre personal para objetos, pero no sirve para apuntar. Si alguien te pregunta ¿Qué quieres comprar?, no puedes decir I want it señalando el objeto, debes decir I want that (Quiero eso). That tiene el dedo índice incorporado; it no.vicio del tercer nivel (Ese vs Aquel)aquel (muy lejos) que sea distinta de ese (distancia media).that. No busques una tercera palabra, no existe en este contexto.this/that y dónde empiezan otros conceptos. Aquí tienes una comparativa para aclarar el panorama.This | That |These | Those |These se pronuncia con una i larga /diis/ y this con una i corta y seca /dis/.*This/That: Señalan objetos (¿Qué cosa?).Here/There: Señalan lugares (¿Dónde?).
This | Este / Esta / Esto |Here | Aquí / Acá |That | Ese / Aquel / Eso |There | Allí / Allá / Ahí |This book is here.(Este libro está aquí).That car is there.(Aquel coche está allí).
this para hablar de una persona?This is my brother) o para identificar a alguien que está en una foto o al teléfono. No lo usamos para llamar a alguien por la calle (no dirías Hey, this!), pero sí para introducir a alguien en un grupo social.lejos para usar that?that. Un truco: si tienes que estirar el brazo para tocarlo, ya podrías usar that.that's it? Lo escucho mucho en las series.eso es todo o ya está. Es un gran ejemplo de cómo that se usa para referirse a una situación completa que acaba de terminar.esto (neutro). ¿Cómo se dice en inglés?this. Por ejemplo, si ves un desorden en la cocina y dices ¿Qué es esto?, en inglés sería What is this?. No hay una palabra especial para el neutro; this y that ya cubren esa función.This= Cerca / Singular / Sin género (Este, esta, esto).That= Lejos / Singular / Sin género (Ese, esa, eso, aquel, aquella).
that.That's a good idea) o para hablar de algo que pasó en el capítulo anterior. El inglés es un idioma de contexto, y this y that son tus mejores herramientas para dominar ese contexto.Demonstrative Distance and Number
| Distance | Singular (1) | Plural (2+) |
|---|---|---|
|
Near (Close)
|
This
|
These
|
|
Far (Away)
|
That
|
Those
|
Common Contractions
| Full Form | Contraction | Usage |
|---|---|---|
|
That is
|
That's
|
Very common in speech
|
|
This is
|
None
|
We rarely contract 'this is'
|
|
That will
|
That'll
|
Informal future
|
Meanings
Demonstratives are words used to point to specific people or things. They indicate the physical or psychological distance between the speaker and the object.
Physical Proximity
Pointing to objects in physical space based on whether they are within reach or not.
“This pen in my hand is blue.”
“That car across the street is fast.”
Temporal Distance
Referring to time. 'This' refers to the present or upcoming time, while 'that' refers to the past.
“This morning was very cold.”
“That summer in 2010 was amazing.”
Introduction & Identification
Using demonstratives to introduce people or identify things on the phone or in person.
“Mom, this is my friend Sarah.”
“Hello? This is John speaking.”
Reference Table
| Determinante | Distancia | Cantidad | Ejemplo |
|---|---|---|---|
|
this
|
Cerca del que habla
|
Singular
|
This book
|
|
that
|
Lejos del que habla
|
Singular
|
That car
|
|
this
|
Cerca (pronombre)
|
Singular
|
What is this?
|
|
that
|
Lejos (pronombre)
|
Singular
|
Who is that?
|
|
this
|
Momento o idea actual
|
Singular
|
This is great!
|
|
that
|
Momento o idea pasada
|
Singular
|
That was fun!
|
Espectro de formalidad
Could you please identify this object? (General inquiry)
What is this? (General inquiry)
What's this thing? (General inquiry)
What's this dealio? (General inquiry)
This vs. That: ¡Señálalo!
This
- Cerca Nearby, reachable
- Singular One item
- Presente Current moment
That
- Lejos Distant, out of reach
- Singular One item
- Pasado Previous moment
This y That: El dúo de la distancia
Cómo elegir This o That
¿Es el sustantivo singular?
¿Está el objeto cerca de ti?
Cuándo usar cada uno
Cerca y Singular
- • This book
- • This coffee
- • This is my friend
Lejos y Singular
- • That mountain
- • That house
- • That was a good movie
Abstracto y Presente
- • This idea
- • This situation
Abstracto y Pasado
- • That experience
- • That memory
Ejemplos por nivel
This is my cat.
This is my cat.
That is a big plane.
That is a big plane.
These are my shoes.
These are my shoes.
Is that your car?
Is that your car?
This soup is very hot.
This soup is very hot.
Those birds are beautiful.
Those birds are beautiful.
I like this song.
I like this song.
That was a great party last night.
That was a great party last night.
This is exactly what I meant.
This is exactly what I meant.
That's a very interesting idea.
That's a very interesting idea.
These problems are difficult to solve.
These problems are difficult to solve.
I'll never forget that day.
I'll never forget that day.
This constant rain is depressing.
This constant rain is depressing.
That being said, we must move on.
That being said, we must move on.
Those who disagree should speak now.
Those who disagree should speak now.
This new policy will affect everyone.
This new policy will affect everyone.
That's a bit much, don't you think?
That's a bit much, don't you think?
This is where the argument falls apart.
This is where the argument falls apart.
I can't stand that 'I'm better than you' attitude.
I can't stand that 'I'm better than you' attitude.
These findings contradict previous research.
These findings contradict previous research.
This, then, is the crux of the matter.
This, then, is the crux of the matter.
That which is seen cannot be unseen.
That which is seen cannot be unseen.
The difference between this and that is negligible.
The difference between this and that is negligible.
Those present at the signing were historical figures.
Those present at the signing were historical figures.
Fácil de confundir
Learners use 'it' to point things out, which is less specific than 'this'.
Mixing up singular and plural forms.
Using 'that' for plural objects far away.
Errores comunes
This is my friends.
These are my friends.
That is my books.
Those are my books.
I like that.
I like this.
Is this you car?
Is this your car?
This days are cold.
These days are cold.
That is a good idea you have there.
This is a good idea you have there.
Who is this?
Who is that?
This was a great movie we saw last week.
That was a great movie we saw last week.
This is the man I told you about.
That is the man I told you about.
Patrones de oraciones
This is my ___.
That is a ___.
These ___ are ___.
Those ___ belong to ___.
Real World Usage
I'll have this, please.
Check this out! [link]
This project was my biggest achievement.
Is that the right bus?
How much are those shoes?
This! So true.
¡Visualiza la distancia!
this. Si tienes que caminar, usa that. Por ejemplo: I want this apple.
¡Solo para cosas individuales!
this book (singular) o that car (singular).Úsalo con 'is' para presentar
This is... para presentar personas u objetos nuevos. Es muy natural decir: This is my friend Mariao
This is my new laptop.
¡Los gestos son universales!
Look at that!¡También sirve para el tiempo!
This se refiere al presente o futuro cercano, mientras que that suele ser para el pasado. Piensa en: That movie last night was great!
Smart Tips
Always use 'This is...' followed by their name.
Use 'this' because the phone is in your hand, even if the photo is of something far away.
Use 'That's true' or 'That's right' to refer to their words.
Use 'this' to show the problem is happening right now, or 'that' to distance yourself from it.
Pronunciación
The Voiced 'TH'
The 'th' in this, that, these, and those is voiced. Your vocal cords should vibrate. Put your tongue between your teeth and blow air while making a sound like a 'z'.
Vowel Length in These vs This
'This' has a short 'i' sound (like 'sit'). 'These' has a long 'e' sound (like 'see').
Emphasis for Contrast
I want THIS one, not THAT one.
Stress the demonstrative to show a specific choice between two items.
Memorízalo
Mnemotecnia
T-H-I-S is for things I can kiss (near). T-H-A-T is for things over at the cat (far).
Asociación visual
Imagine a circle around your feet. Everything inside the circle is 'this/these'. Everything outside the circle is 'that/those'.
Rhyme
This and These are near my knees. That and Those are far from my toes.
Story
You are at a market. You pick up an apple (This). You point to a mountain (That). You hold two flowers (These). You see two birds in the sky (Those).
Word Web
Desafío
Walk around your room. Touch 5 things and say 'This is a...'. Point to 5 things out the window and say 'That is a...'.
Notas culturales
Pointing with the index finger while saying 'that' can be considered rude in some formal contexts. It is better to gesture with an open hand.
In English-speaking countries, you identify yourself with 'This is...' rather than 'I am...'.
British speakers often use 'that' more frequently than 'this' when referring to something the other person just said.
Both words come from Old English, where demonstratives were highly inflected for gender, case, and number.
Inicios de conversación
What is this?
Is that your car over there?
What are those things on the table?
This weather is crazy, isn't it?
Temas para diario
Errores comunes
Test Yourself
I want ___ apple on the table next to me.
Find and fix the mistake:
Look at this cats!
This solo se usa con sustantivos en singular. Como 'cats' es plural, debemos cambiarlo a 'cat'.Elige la opción correcta:
That se usa para un objeto lejano y siempre va con is cuando es singular.Traduce al inglés: 'Ese libro es interesante.'
Answer starts with: ["T...
Score: /4
Ejercicios de practica
8 exercises___ is my phone.
Look at ___ birds in the sky!
Find and fix the mistake:
This shoes are very comfortable.
Match: 1. This, 2. That, 3. These, 4. Those
is / my / that / house / over there
Hello? ___ is David.
___ was a great movie we saw yesterday.
You want to quit? ___ is a big decision.
Score: /8
Practice Bank
12 exercisesI like ___ shirt you are wearing right now.
Who is ___ man standing at the end of the street?
This a good idea.
I saw that movies yesterday.
Elige la correcta:
Elige la correcta:
Traduce: '¿Qué es eso?'
Traduce: 'Quiero este coche.'
Ordena las palabras:
Ordena las palabras:
Une con 'this' o 'that':
Une las preguntas:
Score: /12
Preguntas frecuentes (8)
Use `this` to point something out for the first time. Use `it` to refer to it again later. Example: 'This is my car. It is fast.'
Yes, but only for introductions or identification. 'This is my brother.' You wouldn't say 'This is tall' to describe him; you'd say 'He is tall.'
Physically, yes. But it's also used for things in the past or things someone else just said. 'That was a good point.'
It sounds like 'theez' with a long 'e' and a 'z' sound at the end. It's different from 'this' which has a short 'i' and an 's' sound.
No. 'This' is only for one book. For more than one, you must say 'these books'.
This is an idiom meaning 'That is the end' or 'That is correct.' It uses 'that' to refer to a completed situation.
No, it's neutral. It's just the plural of 'that'. It's used in all levels of English.
Yes! In informal English, we say 'There was this guy...' to introduce a new character.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
este / ese / aquel
English combines 'ese' and 'aquel' into just 'that'.
kore / sore / are
English 'that' covers both 'sore' and 'are'.
dieser / jener
English speakers use 'that' much more often than Germans use 'jener'.
ce / cette / ces
English forces you to choose between near and far every time.
hadha / dhalika
English demonstratives are gender-neutral.
zhè / nà
English does not use measure words (like 'ge') with demonstratives.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
Connected Grammar
Plural Nouns
PrerequisiteYou need to know how to make nouns plural to use 'these' and 'those' correctly.
Verb To Be
PrerequisiteDemonstratives are almost always used with 'is' or 'are'.
Articles (A, An, The)
SimilarArticles and demonstratives are both types of determiners that specify nouns.
Relative Clauses
Advanced FormThe word 'that' is also used as a relative pronoun to connect sentences.
