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A2 determiner #2,000 most common 8 min read

aquel/aquella

That (far); referring to a specific person or thing far away.

At the A1 level, you are just beginning to point things out in Spanish. You already know 'este' (this) and 'ese' (that). 'Aquel' is the third step. Think of it as 'that one way over there'. If you are in a park and you see a dog right next to you, it's 'este perro'. If the dog is next to your friend, it's 'ese perro'. But if the dog is a tiny dot on the other side of the park, it's 'aquel perro'. At this level, just focus on the physical distance. Remember that it changes for gender: 'aquel' for boys/men/masculine things and 'aquella' for girls/women/feminine things. Don't worry about the plural forms yet, just try to use 'aquel' when you are pointing at something far away in the distance. It's like the difference between 'that' and 'that one over there' in English. It helps you be more specific when there are many things to look at.
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At the A2 level, you should start using 'aquel' and 'aquella' to distinguish between different distances more clearly. You are moving beyond just 'here' and 'there'. You should also learn the plural forms: 'aquellos' and 'aquellas'. For example, if you are looking at two mountains, one close and one very far, you would say 'esa montaña' for the closer one and 'aquella montaña' for the far one. You also start using 'aquel' for time, but only for very simple things like 'aquella semana' (that week) when talking about a vacation from last year. The key at A2 is agreement: making sure the word matches the noun. 'Aquellos libros' (those books over there) or 'aquellas chicas' (those girls over there). It's a great way to make your descriptions more vivid and accurate when you are talking about your surroundings or your past experiences.
At the B1 level, 'aquel' becomes an important tool for storytelling and narrative. You use it to set a scene in the past. Phrases like 'en aquel entonces' (back then) or 'en aquella época' (in those times) are very common. You are no longer just pointing at physical objects; you are pointing at moments in time. You also use 'aquel' to create a sense of contrast in more complex sentences. For example, 'No quiero este vestido, ni ese; quiero aquel que está en el escaparate'. This shows a high level of control over spatial awareness in Spanish. You should also be aware that 'aquel' sounds a bit more formal than 'ese'. If you are writing a letter or a short essay about a trip, using 'aquel' to describe the distant landscapes will make your writing sound much more professional and native-like. It shows you understand the 'three-distance' system of Spanish.
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At the B2 level, you use 'aquel' with nuance and stylistic intent. You understand that 'aquel' can imply emotional distance as well as physical distance. If you refer to someone as 'aquel hombre', it might suggest you don't know him well or you want to keep your distance from him. You also use 'aquel' in its role as 'the former' in formal writing. When you mention two things and want to refer back to the first one, 'aquel' is the correct choice (while 'este' refers to the second one). This is a hallmark of advanced academic or professional Spanish. You also use it in more complex temporal structures, such as 'aquella misma tarde' (that very same afternoon), to add precision to your narratives. You are comfortable using it in all its forms and rarely make agreement errors. You also know that the accent mark is no longer required on the pronoun form.
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At the C1 level, 'aquel' is a stylistic device. You use it to evoke nostalgia, create poetic imagery, or establish a formal tone. You are aware of how 'aquel' functions in classical literature and can use it to mimic that style if necessary. You use it to manage complex references in long texts, ensuring that the reader knows exactly which 'that' you are referring to by using the spatial hierarchy of 'este', 'ese', and 'aquel'. You might use it to refer to abstract concepts that feel 'distant' from the current discussion. Your use of 'aquel' is seamless and contributes to the overall flow and 'register' of your speech or writing. You also understand the subtle regional differences in its usage and might adjust your speech depending on whether you are in Spain or Latin America, though 'aquel' remains universally understood in formal contexts.
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At the C2 level, your mastery of 'aquel' is complete. You use it to navigate the most complex syntactic structures with ease. You can use it in archaic or highly literary ways for effect, such as 'el tiempo aquel' (that time) placed after the noun for poetic emphasis. You understand the historical evolution of the word from the Latin 'ecce ille' and how it fits into the broader Romance language family. You use 'aquel' to create sophisticated contrasts in philosophical or legal arguments, where precision is paramount. You are also a master of the 'former/latter' distinction, using it to maintain clarity in dense academic prose. For you, 'aquel' is not just a word for 'distance'; it is a tool for structuring thought, managing narrative focus, and controlling the emotional resonance of your language. You can identify and use it in all its subtle permutations, including its use in fixed idioms and rare grammatical constructions.
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Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

aquel/aquella in 30 Seconds

  • Aquel is the 'far' version of 'that' in Spanish, used for objects at a distance.
  • It must agree in gender and number with the noun it modifies (aquel, aquella, aquellos, aquellas).
  • It is frequently used for temporal distance, referring to the distant past (e.g., 'that year').
  • In formal writing, it refers to the 'former' when contrasting two previously mentioned items.

The Spanish word aquel (and its feminine form aquella) is a demonstrative determiner that functions as a spatial and temporal pointer. In the intricate landscape of Spanish deictics, it represents the furthest point of reference. Unlike English, which primarily relies on a two-way distinction between 'this' and 'that', Spanish employs a more nuanced tripartite system: este (near the speaker), ese (near the listener), and aquel (distant from both). When you use aquel, you are mentally or physically pointing to something that is 'over there' in the distance, often out of immediate reach or even out of sight.

Spatial Distance
Refers to objects or people physically located far from the conversational circle.
Temporal Distance
Refers to moments in time that are perceived as distant, such as 'that year' long ago.
Emotional Detachment
Can sometimes imply a lack of intimacy or a sense of nostalgia regarding the subject.

¿Ves aquel monte a lo lejos? Allí es donde vive mi abuelo.

— Example of extreme spatial distance.

Understanding aquel requires a shift in perspective for English speakers. While 'that' covers a wide range of distances in English, aquel is reserved for the horizon. It is the word of the traveler looking back at a city they left behind, or the historian discussing a century long past. It is inherently more formal and poetic than ese, lending a certain weight to the noun it modifies. In everyday conversation, if you can touch it, it's este; if the person you're talking to can touch it, it's ese; if neither of you can reach it without a short walk, it's likely aquel.

En aquella época, no teníamos internet.

Agreement
Must match the noun in gender (aquel/aquella) and number (aquellos/aquellas).
Placement
Usually precedes the noun, but can follow it for poetic emphasis (e.g., 'el hombre aquel').

Prefiero aquellas flores rojas que están al final del jardín.

Using aquel correctly involves mastering the 'Three-Degree System' of Spanish demonstratives. While English uses 'this' and 'that', Spanish uses este, ese, and aquel. Think of it as a ladder of distance. Aquel is the top rung. It is used when the object is far from both the speaker and the listener. If you are standing in a room and pointing to a building across the street, aquel is your tool. If you are looking at a photo from twenty years ago, aquella is your time machine.

Grammatical Concordance
Aquel (masc. sing.), Aquella (fem. sing.), Aquellos (masc. plur.), Aquellas (fem. plur.).

Aquellos días de verano fueron inolvidables.

In temporal contexts, aquel is used to refer to a time that is perceived as distant or disconnected from the present. For example, 'en aquel entonces' (back then) or 'en aquel año' (in that year). It creates a narrative distance that ese does not. Ese might refer to 'that day' we were just talking about, but aquel refers to 'that day' in the distant past that stands out in memory. It is the language of storytelling and historical accounts.

Juan y Pedro son hermanos; aquel es médico y este es abogado.

— Here, 'aquel' refers to Juan (the first mentioned).

When describing physical objects, the choice between ese and aquel can be subjective. If you want to emphasize the great distance or the beauty of something far away, aquel is more evocative. It draws the listener's eye toward the horizon. In a museum, you might use este for the painting in front of you, ese for the one on the next wall, and aquel for the one at the very end of the long corridor.

Syntactic Position
Usually: [Aquel] + [Noun]. Example: Aquella casa.
Contrastive Use
Used to distinguish between multiple 'thats' in a scene.

No me gusta esa silla, prefiero aquella que está en el rincón.

The frequency of aquel varies significantly between spoken and written Spanish. In casual, everyday speech, many speakers—particularly in certain regions of Spain and Latin America—tend to favor ese even for distant objects, often adding 'de allá' (over there) for clarity (e.g., 'esa casa de allá'). However, aquel remains a staple of formal discourse, literature, and news reporting. When you open a novel, aquel is often the word that sets the scene in a distant land or a bygone era. It carries a sense of gravitas and precision that ese lacks.

Literature
Used to create atmosphere and describe vast landscapes or ancient history.
Formal Speeches
Used by politicians or academics to refer to abstract concepts or historical events.

En aquel glorioso día, nuestra nación alcanzó la libertad.

You will also hear it frequently in travel documentaries and guided tours. A guide pointing to a mountain peak or a distant ruin will almost certainly use aquel or aquella. It is the language of the observer. In songs, particularly boleros or classic ballads, aquel is used to evoke nostalgia for a lost love or a distant place. It suggests a gap that cannot be easily bridged, whether physical or emotional.

¿Recuerdas aquella canción que sonaba cuando nos conocimos?

Legal and Academic
Used to refer back to specific clauses or previous mentions in a text.
Media
Used in news to refer to events happening in distant cities or countries.

Las tropas se retiraron de aquella región conflictiva.

The most frequent error for learners is the 'Distance Confusion'. Because English only has 'this' and 'that', learners often default to ese for everything that isn't este. This makes their Spanish sound 'flat' or slightly imprecise. Using aquel correctly adds a layer of spatial depth to your speech. Another common mistake is failing to match the gender and number. Since aquel ends in a consonant, learners sometimes forget it has a feminine form (aquella) and plural forms (aquellos, aquellas).

Gender Mismatch
Saying 'aquel casa' instead of 'aquella casa'.
Pluralization Error
Saying 'aqueles' (incorrect) instead of 'aquellos'.

Aquel montañas son muy altas. (Incorrect)
Aquellas montañas son muy altas. (Correct)

Another pitfall is the unnecessary use of accent marks. In the past, the RAE (Real Academia Española) required an accent mark on the pronoun form (aquél) to distinguish it from the determiner (aquel). However, since 2010, the RAE has stated that the accent is generally unnecessary unless there is a high risk of ambiguity. Learners often over-apply accents to all forms of the word, which is now considered outdated or incorrect in most contexts.

¿Qué es ese libro que tienes en la mano? (Not 'aquel')

Temporal Overuse
Using 'aquel' for 'that day' (yesterday). Use 'ese' for recent time.
Phonetic Confusion
Confusing the pronunciation of 'aquel' with 'aquél' (though they sound the same, the stress is identical).

To truly understand aquel, one must look at its neighbors in the demonstrative family. The primary 'rival' is ese. While both translate to 'that', ese is the workhorse of the language, used for medium distance or things near the listener. Aquel is the specialist, used for the far-off. Other similar words include the adverb allá (over there), which often accompanies aquel to reinforce the sense of distance.

Ese / Esa
That (medium distance, or near the listener).
Allá / Allí
Adverbs of place often used in conjunction with 'aquel'.

Aquel coche de allá es el mío.

There are also phrases like 'el de allá' or 'el otro' which can sometimes substitute for aquel in very informal speech. For example, instead of saying 'Pásame aquella herramienta', someone might say 'Pásame la de allá'. However, aquel is more specific because it acts as a direct modifier. In literary contexts, you might find tal (such) or dicho (said/aforementioned), but these serve different logical functions and lack the spatial pointing power of aquel.

Entre la paz y la guerra, prefiero aquella.

— Here 'aquella' refers to 'la paz'.
Lejano
An adjective meaning 'distant', often used to describe the same things 'aquel' points to.
Antaño
An adverb meaning 'in olden times', often used in the same sentences as 'aquella época'.

How Formal Is It?

Formal

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Neutral

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Informal

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Difficulty Rating

Grammar to Know

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Examples by Level

1

Aquel coche es azul.

That car (far away) is blue.

Masculine singular agreement.

2

Aquella casa es grande.

That house (far away) is big.

Feminine singular agreement.

3

Mira aquel pájaro.

Look at that bird (far away).

Used with the imperative 'mira'.

4

Aquella es mi escuela.

That (one) is my school.

Used as a pronoun here.

5

Me gusta aquel juguete.

I like that toy (over there).

Used with 'gustar'.

6

Aquella flor es roja.

That flower (far away) is red.

Feminine singular.

7

Aquel niño es mi primo.

That boy (far away) is my cousin.

Refers to a person.

8

¿Ves aquel árbol?

Do you see that tree (far away)?

Question form.

1

Aquellos días fueron felices.

Those days (long ago) were happy.

Masculine plural, temporal use.

2

Aquellas montañas tienen nieve.

Those mountains (far away) have snow.

Feminine plural.

3

Prefiero aquel restaurante de allá.

I prefer that restaurant over there.

Often paired with 'de allá'.

4

Aquellos libros son muy viejos.

Those books (far away) are very old.

Masculine plural.

5

Aquella noche no pude dormir.

That night (in the past) I couldn't sleep.

Temporal distance.

6

Dame aquella maleta azul.

Give me that blue suitcase (far away).

Imperative 'dame'.

7

Aquellas personas son turistas.

Those people (far away) are tourists.

Feminine plural.

8

En aquel pueblo vivía mi abuela.

In that town (far away/past) my grandmother lived.

Prepositional phrase.

1

En aquel entonces, todo era más barato.

Back then, everything was cheaper.

Fixed phrase for temporal distance.

2

Aquella fue la mejor decisión de mi vida.

That was the best decision of my life.

Abstract reference to the past.

3

Recuerdo aquel verano en la playa.

I remember that summer at the beach.

Used with verbs of memory.

4

Aquellos que quieran participar, vengan aquí.

Those who want to participate, come here.

Relative clause construction.

5

No es esta mesa, sino aquella.

It's not this table, but that one (far away).

Contrastive use.

6

Aquella tarde llovió sin parar.

That afternoon it rained without stopping.

Narrative setting.

7

Aquellos edificios son modernos.

Those buildings (far away) are modern.

Physical distance.

8

En aquella época no había móviles.

In that era there were no mobile phones.

Historical reference.

1

Aquel incidente cambió el rumbo de la historia.

That incident changed the course of history.

Formal narrative use.

2

Aquellas palabras me hirieron profundamente.

Those words (said then) hurt me deeply.

Emotional/temporal distance.

3

Buscaba aquel libro que mencionaste ayer.

I was looking for that book you mentioned yesterday.

Specific reference to a past mention.

4

Aquellos resultados fueron sorprendentes.

Those results (from then) were surprising.

Referring to data/past events.

5

Aquel que no arriesga, no gana.

He who does not risk, does not win.

Proverbial/Generalizing use.

6

Aquella misma noche se marchó.

That very same night he left.

Emphatic temporal use.

7

Visitamos aquella ciudad hace diez años.

We visited that city ten years ago.

Distant past reference.

8

Aquellas leyes ya no están vigentes.

Those laws are no longer in effect.

Formal/Legal context.

1

Aquel aroma le trajo recuerdos de su infancia.

That scent brought back memories of his childhood.

Literary/Evocative use.

2

La diferencia entre el éxito y el fracaso es aquella.

The difference between success and failure is that (one).

Abstract pointing.

3

Aquellos eran tiempos de gran incertidumbre.

Those were times of great uncertainty.

Stylistic narrative opening.

4

En aquella remota región, el tiempo se detuvo.

In that remote region, time stood still.

Combining spatial and temporal distance.

5

Aquella fue, sin duda, su obra maestra.

That was, without a doubt, his masterpiece.

Evaluative distance.

6

Se refería a aquella cláusula del contrato.

He was referring to that clause in the contract.

Precise formal reference.

7

Aquellas sombras parecían cobrar vida.

Those shadows seemed to come to life.

Descriptive/Atmospheric.

8

Aquel hombre de quien te hablé ha vuelto.

That man I told you about has returned.

Relative clause with 'de quien'.

1

Aquel que suscribe estas palabras lo hace con convicción.

He who signs these words does so with conviction.

Highly formal/Legalistic.

2

Fue en aquella lúgubre estancia donde ocurrió todo.

It was in that dismal room where everything happened.

High literary register.

3

Aquellos polvos trajeron estos lodos.

Those dusts brought these muds (actions have consequences).

Idiomatic/Proverbial.

4

La dicotomía entre el ser y el parecer es aquella que nos ocupa.

The dichotomy between being and appearing is the one that concerns us.

Philosophical discourse.

5

Aquellas tierras, antaño fértiles, son ahora un desierto.

Those lands, once fertile, are now a desert.

Contrast between past and present.

6

No era sino aquella la razón de su desdicha.

It was none other than that the reason for his misfortune.

Complex negative construction.

7

Aquellos que no conocen su historia están condenados a repetirla.

Those who do not know their history are condemned to repeat it.

Classic aphorism.

8

Bajo aquel sol de justicia, los segadores trabajaban.

Under that scorching sun, the reapers worked.

Literary idiom 'sol de justicia'.

Common Collocations

en aquel entonces
en aquella época
aquel día
aquella vez
aquel lugar
aquellos años
aquel momento
en aquel tiempo
aquella noche
aquel hombre

Common Phrases

En aquel entonces

De aquel modo

Aquel que...

En aquella ocasión

Por aquel entonces

Aquel mismo día

Ni este ni aquel

Aquellos maravillosos años

Todo aquel que...

Aquel viejo...

Often Confused With

aquel/aquella vs ese (medium distance)

aquel/aquella vs aquello (neuter pronoun)

aquel/aquella vs aquél (old pronoun form)

Idioms & Expressions

""

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Easily Confused

aquel/aquella vs ese

Aquel is much further away.

aquel/aquella vs allá

Allá is an adverb; aquel is a determiner.

aquel/aquella vs aquello

Aquello is neuter and never used with a noun.

Sentence Patterns

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How to Use It

spatial

Furthest distance from speaker and listener.

temporal

Distant past, usually years or decades ago.

narrative

Refers to the first of two things mentioned.

Common Mistakes
  • Using 'aquel' for something near the listener.
  • Saying 'aqueles' instead of 'aquellos'.
  • Forgetting to change to 'aquella' for feminine nouns.
  • Using an accent mark on 'aquel' when it's with a noun.
  • Using 'aquel' for a time that happened yesterday (use 'ese').

Tips

The Arm Test

If you have to fully extend your arm and point to something far away, use 'aquel'. If it's within a few steps, use 'ese'.

Agreement is Key

Always check the gender of the noun. 'Aquel' is masculine, 'Aquella' is feminine. Don't let the 'l' ending fool you.

Time Travel

Use 'aquella' for years, decades, or eras. 'Aquella década' sounds much more natural than 'esa década' for the 1920s.

Former/Latter

In essays, use 'aquel' to refer back to your first point. It makes your writing look very sophisticated.

Add 'Allá'

To sound like a native, say 'aquel... de allá'. It reinforces the distance and sounds very natural.

Listen for the 'A'

In fast speech, 'ese' and 'aquel' can sound similar. Listen for the initial 'A' sound to identify 'aquel'.

Regional Use

If you are in Spain, you will hear 'aquel' more often than in some parts of Latin America, where 'ese de allá' is common.

Spatial Logic

Think of it as a 3D map: Este (Zone 1), Ese (Zone 2), Aquel (Zone 3).

Stress the End

The stress is on the last syllable: a-QUEL. Make sure the 'L' is clear.

No 'Aqueles'

The plural of 'aquel' is 'aquellos'. This is a very common mistake for beginners.

Memorize It

Word Origin

From Vulgar Latin *eccum ille.

Cultural Context

Using 'aquel' in a speech makes the speaker sound more educated and precise.

The phrase 'aquellos tiempos' is the equivalent of 'the good old days'.

Used extensively by authors like Cervantes to distinguish between characters in a scene.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Conversation Starters

"¿Ves aquel edificio alto?"

"¿Qué piensas de aquella película que vimos el año pasado?"

"¿Recuerdas aquel viaje que hicimos?"

"¿Quién es aquella persona que está allí?"

"¿Te gusta aquel cuadro del fondo?"

Journal Prompts

Describe aquel día que cambió tu vida.

Escribe sobre aquella persona que más admiras.

¿Cómo era tu vida en aquella época de la infancia?

Describe aquel lugar al que siempre quieres volver.

¿Qué sentiste al ver aquel paisaje por primera vez?

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Use 'aquel' when the object is physically far from both you and the person you are talking to, or when referring to a distant time in the past. If the object is near the listener, always use 'ese'.

No, 'aquel' as a determiner (accompanying a noun) never needs an accent. The pronoun form 'aquél' used to have one, but the RAE now says it's not necessary.

The feminine plural is 'aquellas'. For example: 'aquellas casas'.

Yes, you can say 'aquel hombre' or 'aquella mujer' to refer to people at a distance.

It is a common idiom meaning 'back then' or 'at that time' in the distant past.

Yes, it is universally understood, though in some regions it is used more in writing than in casual speech.

'Aquel' is used with a noun (aquel libro), while 'aquello' is a neuter pronoun used for abstract ideas or things without a specific name (¿Qué es aquello?).

In a comparison between two things, use 'aquel' for the first one mentioned and 'este' for the second one.

Generally, yes. It is often preferred in literature and formal speeches.

Rarely. It is almost exclusively used for the past when referring to time.

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