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A1 determiner #700 most common 9 min read

estas

Top 700

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips estas in 30 Seconds

Explanation estas in your Level:

At the A1 level, 'estas' is one of the first demonstratives you will learn. It is used in very simple, concrete contexts to point out objects that are feminine and plural. You will use it to talk about things you can see and touch right now. For example, 'estas manzanas' (these apples) or 'estas llaves' (these keys). The focus at this level is purely on physical proximity and basic gender agreement. You should practice identifying feminine plural nouns and pairing them with 'estas'. It is also crucial to distinguish it from 'estos' (masculine plural) and 'esta' (feminine singular). A common exercise at this level is pointing to objects in a classroom or a kitchen and naming them using the correct demonstrative. Remember: 'estas' is for things that are close to you, the speaker. If you can reach out and touch the objects, 'estas' is likely the correct word to use.

At the A2 level, you begin to use 'estas' in slightly more complex ways, particularly in relation to time and daily routines. You will hear and use phrases like 'estas semanas' (these weeks) or 'estas vacaciones' (this vacation period). You are also expected to use 'estas' in basic descriptions of people and places. For instance, 'Estas ciudades son muy bonitas' (These cities are very beautiful). At this stage, you should be comfortable with the 'demonstrative triangle' (estas vs esas vs aquellas) and be able to choose the correct one based on the distance of the objects. You will also start to see 'estas' used as a pronoun, where the noun is omitted because it was previously mentioned, such as '¿Te gustan las flores? Sí, me gustan estas'. Agreement remains the most important grammatical hurdle at this level.

By the B1 level, 'estas' is used not just for physical objects but also for abstract concepts and ideas within a conversation. You might say 'estas razones' (these reasons) or 'estas circunstancias' (these circumstances) when explaining a situation or giving an opinion. You will also encounter 'estas' in more varied sentence structures, including those involving relative clauses, such as 'Estas son las herramientas que necesito para arreglar la mesa'. At this level, you should be able to use 'estas' fluently in narratives to maintain cohesion, referring back to feminine plural subjects you have already introduced. You will also learn common idiomatic expressions that use 'estas', such as 'a estas alturas' (at this point/stage). Your understanding of 'estas' should now include its role in structuring a logical argument or a detailed description.

At the B2 level, 'estas' is used with a high degree of precision in both formal and informal registers. You will encounter it in academic texts, news reports, and professional emails to refer to specific data, theories, or groups of people. For example, 'Estas investigaciones sugieren que...' (These investigations suggest that...). You should be able to use 'estas' to create subtle nuances in your speech, such as using it to bring an abstract idea 'closer' to the listener to make it feel more relevant. You will also be expected to recognize when 'estas' is used rhetorically to emphasize a point. At this level, the distinction between 'estas' and its alternatives like 'tales' or 'las presentes' becomes important for achieving the correct tone in your writing. You should also be perfectly comfortable with the lack of accent mark, even in complex sentences where the verb 'estás' might also appear.

At the C1 level, you will appreciate the stylistic uses of 'estas' in literature and high-level discourse. Authors often use demonstratives like 'estas' to create a sense of intimacy or 'vividness' in a scene, drawing the reader into the immediate environment of the narrator. You will study how 'estas' can be used to manage 'discourse deixis'—referring to entire portions of a text or complex sets of ideas previously mentioned. For example, 'Estas vicisitudes de la vida cotidiana...' (These vicissitudes of daily life...). You will also explore how the placement of 'estas' after a noun (e.g., 'las palabras estas') can convey a sense of disdain, annoyance, or informal emphasis, which is a subtle nuance of native-level Spanish. Your mastery of 'estas' at this level is shown through your ability to use it naturally in spontaneous, high-level debates and sophisticated writing.

At the C2 level, 'estas' is a tool for absolute linguistic precision and stylistic mastery. You will use it in philosophical, legal, and highly technical contexts where the exact reference of a demonstrative can have significant implications. You will understand the historical evolution of demonstratives from Latin and how 'estas' fits into the broader Romance language family. In your own production, you will use 'estas' to navigate extremely complex arguments, ensuring that the reader or listener always knows exactly which feminine plural concepts you are referring to, even in sentences with multiple layers of subordination. You will also be able to play with the word's placement and prosody to achieve specific rhetorical effects, demonstrating a level of control that is indistinguishable from a highly educated native speaker. At this level, 'estas' is no longer just a word for 'these'; it is a precise instrument for mapping out the conceptual space of your discourse.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

estas in 30 Seconds

The word 'estas' is a feminine plural determiner meaning 'these'.
It is used for objects or people located near the speaker.
It must agree in gender (feminine) and number (plural) with the noun.
Do not confuse it with the verb 'estás', which has an accent mark.

The Spanish word estas is a feminine plural demonstrative determiner that translates to "these" in English. It is used to point out specific people, animals, or objects that are feminine and located in close proximity to the speaker. In the spatial logic of the Spanish language, demonstratives are divided into three degrees of distance: near the speaker (este/esta/estos/estas), near the listener (ese/esa/esos/esas), and far from both (aquel/aquella/aquellos/aquellas). Therefore, when you use estas, you are physically or metaphorically indicating that the items are within your immediate reach or current focus.

Gender and Number Agreement: In Spanish, determiners must match the noun they modify. Since 'estas' is feminine and plural, it must accompany a noun that is also feminine and plural, such as 'mesas' (tables) or 'manzanas' (apples).

¿Ves estas flores? Son para mi madre.

Translation: Do you see these flowers? They are for my mother.

Beyond physical objects, estas is frequently used to refer to time periods that are currently happening or are very close to the present moment, such as "estas semanas" (these weeks). It creates a sense of immediacy and directness in communication.

Spatial Context: Use 'estas' when you can practically touch the objects or when they are the primary subject of your current conversation.

Estas sillas son muy cómodas para trabajar.

No puedo creer que estas cosas sigan pasando.

Abstract Usage: 'Estas' can also refer to ideas or situations currently being discussed, such as 'estas razones' (these reasons).

Estas ideas son revolucionarias para nuestra época.

Quiero comprar estas zapatillas de aquí.

Understanding the use of 'estas' is essential for basic fluency, as it allows speakers to navigate their physical environment and identify objects with precision. It is one of the most common words in the Spanish language because humans naturally tend to talk about things that are right in front of them.

Using estas correctly involves more than just knowing its translation; it requires a solid understanding of Spanish syntax and noun-adjective agreement. In a typical sentence, 'estas' functions as a determiner and is placed directly before the feminine plural noun it modifies. For example, in the phrase "estas casas" (these houses), 'estas' provides the spatial context while 'casas' provides the subject.

Syntactic Placement: Demonstrative determiners almost always precede the noun in standard Spanish. Placing them after the noun is rare and usually changes the tone to something more emphatic or poetic.

Estas llaves no abren ninguna puerta.

Translation: These keys do not open any door.

When 'estas' is used, any adjectives modifying the same noun must also agree in gender and number. This creates a chain of agreement: 'estas' (feminine plural) + 'manzanas' (feminine plural) + 'rojas' (feminine plural).

Interrogative Use: When asking a question about specific nearby objects, 'estas' remains in its position before the noun.

¿Son tuyas estas mochilas?

Estas dos niñas son mis hermanas menores.

Temporal Proximity: 'Estas' is used for time units that include the present moment, like 'estas Navidades' (this Christmas season).

He estado muy ocupado estas últimas semanas.

Mira estas fotos que tomé en el parque.

In more complex sentences, 'estas' can be used to contrast with 'esas' (those) or 'aquellas' (those far away). For example: "Estas mesas son mías, pero esas son tuyas." This demonstrates the power of demonstratives in organizing physical space through language. Mastering 'estas' allows you to build descriptive and functional sentences that are essential for everyday life in a Spanish-speaking environment.

You will encounter estas in almost every conceivable social and professional setting in the Spanish-speaking world. From the bustling markets of Mexico City to the quiet cafes of Madrid, this word is a staple of spoken communication. In a retail environment, you will hear customers saying, "¿Cuánto cuestan estas camisas?" (How much do these shirts cost?) or shopkeepers pointing out new arrivals with, "Estas ofertas son solo por hoy" (These offers are only for today).

At Home: Family members use 'estas' to refer to household items, chores, or shared experiences. '¿De quién son estas medias?' (Whose socks are these?).

Mamá, estas galletas están deliciosas.

Translation: Mom, these cookies are delicious.

In professional settings, 'estas' is used to refer to documents, data, or current projects. A manager might say, "Necesito revisar estas facturas antes de las cinco" (I need to review these invoices before five).

In the News: Journalists use 'estas' to refer to current events or specific groups of people. 'Estas medidas afectarán a miles de ciudadanos'.

Según estas estadísticas, la economía está mejorando.

¿Has visto estas noticias en la televisión?

In Education: Teachers use it to point out exercises or rules. 'Abran sus libros en estas páginas'.

Estas preguntas son para el examen final.

Debemos seguir estas instrucciones cuidadosamente.

Because 'estas' is so tied to the physical world and immediate context, it is a word that bridges the gap between abstract language and concrete reality. Hearing it often signals that the speaker is about to provide specific information about something right in front of you.

One of the most frequent errors English speakers make when learning Spanish is confusing estas with its accented counterpart, estás. While they look nearly identical, they belong to completely different grammatical categories. Estas (no accent) is a demonstrative meaning "these," whereas estás (with an accent) is the second-person singular form of the verb 'estar,' meaning "you are." Misplacing the accent can lead to confusing sentences like "¿Cómo estas?" (How these?) instead of "¿Cómo estás?" (How are you?).

Gender Agreement Errors: Another common mistake is using 'estas' with masculine nouns. For example, saying 'estas libros' instead of 'estos libros'. Remember that 'estas' is strictly feminine.

Incorrect: Estas perros son lindos. (Perros is masculine plural).

Correct: Estos perros son lindos.

English speakers also struggle with the three-way distinction of distance in Spanish. In English, we only have "these" and "those." In Spanish, you must choose between 'estas' (here), 'esas' (there), and 'aquellas' (over there). Using 'estas' for something across the room is a common pragmatic error.

Number Mismatch: Beginners sometimes forget to pluralize the noun, saying 'estas mesa' instead of 'estas mesas'.

Incorrect: Estas chica son mis amigas.

Correct: Estas chicas son mis amigas.

Incorrect: ¿Dónde están estás llaves?

Correct: ¿Dónde están estas llaves? (No accent on 'estas').

Overuse: Sometimes learners use 'estas' when a simple definite article 'las' would be more natural. Use 'estas' only when you need to specifically point something out.

Me gustan estas manzanas (pointing). vs Me gustan las manzanas (general preference).

No entiendo estas palabras difíciles.

Avoiding these pitfalls requires practice and a keen ear for the rhythm of the language. By focusing on the lack of an accent and the strict feminine plural agreement, you will quickly master the use of 'estas' in your daily Spanish conversations.

To truly understand estas, it is helpful to compare it with other demonstratives and related words that might occupy a similar space in a sentence. The most immediate comparison is with 'estos', which is the masculine plural equivalent. While 'estos' is used for groups of men or masculine objects (like 'estos libros'), 'estas' is reserved for feminine ones. Interestingly, if a group is mixed (e.g., five women and one man), Spanish defaults to the masculine 'estos'.

Distance Comparison: 'Estas' (here), 'Esas' (there), 'Aquellas' (way over there). The choice depends entirely on the speaker's perspective of distance.

Estas sillas son cómodas, pero aquellas del fondo no.

Translation: These chairs are comfortable, but those in the back are not.

Another alternative is the definite article 'las'. While 'estas' is demonstrative and points things out, 'las' simply identifies them. For example, "Las llaves están aquí" (The keys are here) is a statement of fact, while "Estas llaves son mías" (These keys are mine) specifically identifies which keys are being discussed.

Pronoun vs. Determiner: 'Estas' can also function as a pronoun when the noun is omitted but understood from context. '¿Cuáles quieres? Estas'.

De todas las opciones, prefiero estas.

Estas mismas personas vinieron ayer.

The 'Estar' Confusion: Never confuse 'estas' with 'estás' (you are) or 'están' (they are). They sound similar but have zero grammatical relation.

Mira estas fotos; son increíbles.

No quiero estas camisas, prefiero las otras.

By understanding these alternatives, you can choose the most precise word for your situation. Whether you need the spatial specificity of 'estas', the distance of 'aquellas', or the generality of 'las', knowing the differences is a hallmark of an advanced Spanish learner.

How Formal Is It?

Formal

Neutral

Informal

Child friendly

Slang

Fun Fact

In Old Spanish, demonstratives were often combined with the definite article, but 'estas' has remained remarkably stable in its form for centuries.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /ˈestas/

US /ˈestɑs/

The stress is on the first syllable: ES-tas.

Rhymes With

fiestas siestas cestas puestas vistas (near rhyme) listas pistas crestas

Common Errors

Stressing the second syllable (es-TÁS), which turns it into a verb.
Pronouncing the 's' like a 'z' (Spanish 's' is always sharp).
Making the 'e' sound like 'ay' (it should be a pure 'e').
Making the 'a' sound like the 'a' in 'cat'.
Aspirating the final 's' too much (common in some dialects but avoid as a learner).

Difficulty Rating

Reading 1/5

Very easy to recognize in text, but watch out for the lack of accent.

Writing 2/5

Requires remembering the feminine plural agreement and avoiding the accent.

Speaking 2/5

Must be careful with the stress on the first syllable.

Listening 2/5

Can be confused with 'estás' or 'esta' in fast speech.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

esta las aquí femenino plural

Learn Next

esas aquellas estos este

Advanced

tales dichas referidas

Grammar to Know

Noun-Adjective Agreement

Estas casas blancas.

Demonstrative Distance

Estas (aquí), esas (ahí), aquellas (allí).

Accentuation of Homonyms

Estas (determiner) vs estás (verb).

Gender Neutrality

Use 'estos' for mixed groups, never 'estas'.

Omission of the Noun

No quiero las rojas, quiero estas.

Examples by Level

Estas flores son rojas.

These flowers are red.

'Estas' agrees with the feminine plural noun 'flores'.

¿De quién son estas llaves?

Whose are these keys?

'Estas' is used because the keys are near the speaker.

Estas manzanas están muy ricas.

These apples are very tasty.

'Manzanas' is feminine plural, so we use 'estas'.

Me gustan estas sillas azules.

I like these blue chairs.

The adjective 'azules' also agrees in number.

Estas niñas son mis primas.

These girls are my cousins.

'Niñas' is a feminine plural noun referring to people.

Mira estas fotos de mi perro.

Look at these photos of my dog.

'Fotos' is feminine plural (la foto / las fotos).

Estas camisas son muy baratas.

These shirts are very cheap.

'Camisas' is feminine plural.

¿Son estas tus gafas?

Are these your glasses?

'Gafas' is always plural in Spanish.

Estas vacaciones voy a viajar a España.

This vacation I am going to travel to Spain.

'Estas' refers to the upcoming/current vacation period.

He leído estas tres novelas este mes.

I have read these three novels this month.

'Novelas' is feminine plural.

Estas calles son muy estrechas y antiguas.

These streets are very narrow and old.

Plural agreement across 'estas', 'calles', 'estrechas', and 'antiguas'.

¿Puedes pasarme estas toallas, por favor?

Can you pass me these towels, please?

The speaker is pointing to towels nearby.

Estas semanas han sido muy difíciles.

These weeks have been very difficult.

Temporal use of 'estas'.

No entiendo estas instrucciones del juego.

I don't understand these game instructions.

'Instrucciones' is feminine plural.

Estas plantas necesitan un poco de agua.

These plants need a little water.

Feminine plural agreement.

Mira estas nubes, va a llover pronto.

Look at these clouds, it's going to rain soon.

'Nubes' is feminine plural.

Estas razones son suficientes para convencerlo.

These reasons are enough to convince him.

Abstract use of 'estas' with 'razones'.

En estas circunstancias, no podemos hacer nada.

In these circumstances, we cannot do anything.

'Circunstancias' is feminine plural.

Estas tradiciones se han mantenido por siglos.

These traditions have been maintained for centuries.

Referring to cultural concepts.

A estas alturas, ya deberíamos haber terminado.

At this point, we should have finished already.

Idiomatic expression 'a estas alturas'.

Estas herramientas son esenciales para el trabajo.

These tools are essential for the work.

'Herramientas' is feminine plural.

Debemos analizar estas opciones antes de decidir.

We must analyze these options before deciding.

'Opciones' is feminine plural.

Estas medidas buscan mejorar la seguridad vial.

These measures seek to improve road safety.

Formal use of 'estas' in a social context.

Me sorprenden estas noticias tan repentinas.

These sudden news surprise me.

'Noticias' is feminine plural.

Estas investigaciones demuestran la eficacia del fármaco.

These investigations demonstrate the efficacy of the drug.

Academic use of 'estas'.

Estas leyes protegen los derechos de los trabajadores.

These laws protect the rights of workers.

Legal/formal context.

Estas tendencias del mercado son muy volátiles.

These market trends are very volatile.

Business context.

Consideremos estas propuestas durante la reunión.

Let's consider these proposals during the meeting.

'Propuestas' is feminine plural.

Estas conclusiones se basan en datos empíricos.

These conclusions are based on empirical data.

Scientific/formal register.

Estas obras de arte pertenecen al siglo dieciocho.

These works of art belong to the eighteenth century.

'Obras' is feminine plural.

Estas diferencias culturales enriquecen a la sociedad.

These cultural differences enrich society.

Sociological context.

Estas políticas ambientales son necesarias para el futuro.

These environmental policies are necessary for the future.

Political/environmental context.

Estas vicisitudes han forjado su carácter resiliente.

These vicissitudes have forged his resilient character.

Literary/advanced vocabulary ('vicisitudes').

Estas premisas son el fundamento de su teoría filosófica.

These premises are the foundation of his philosophical theory.

Academic/philosophical context.

Estas sutiles variaciones lingüísticas son fascinantes.

These subtle linguistic variations are fascinating.

High-level analysis.

Estas paradojas de la mente humana son difíciles de explicar.

These paradoxes of the human mind are difficult to explain.

Complex abstract concept.

Estas crónicas relatan la vida en la época colonial.

These chronicles relate life in the colonial era.

Historical/literary context.

Estas estrategias retóricas son comunes en la política.

These rhetorical strategies are common in politics.

Analysis of discourse.

Estas manifestaciones artísticas desafían las normas sociales.

These artistic manifestations challenge social norms.

Cultural criticism context.

Estas reflexiones nos invitan a cuestionar nuestra realidad.

These reflections invite us to question our reality.

Introspective/philosophical use.

Estas disquisiciones ontológicas trascienden el mero debate académico.

These ontological disquisitions transcend mere academic debate.

Highly specialized vocabulary.

Estas prerrogativas legales están sujetas a interpretación judicial.

These legal prerogatives are subject to judicial interpretation.

Formal legal discourse.

Estas asimetrías de información distorsionan el mercado global.

These information asymmetries distort the global market.

Economic/technical context.

Estas idiosincrasias regionales definen la identidad nacional.

These regional idiosyncrasies define national identity.

Sociopolitical analysis.

Estas conjeturas carecen de sustento empírico verificable.

These conjectures lack verifiable empirical support.

Epistemological context.

Estas fluctuaciones macroeconómicas impactan en el consumo.

These macroeconomic fluctuations impact consumption.

Advanced economic terminology.

Estas reminiscencias del pasado tiñen su obra de nostalgia.

These reminiscences of the past tinge his work with nostalgia.

Literary criticism.

Estas convergencias ideológicas son inusuales en este clima político.

These ideological convergences are unusual in this political climate.

High-level political analysis.

Common Collocations

estas cosas

estas personas

estas horas

estas tierras

estas razones

estas medidas

estas palabras

estas semanas

estas fotos

estas llaves

Common Phrases

A estas alturas

— At this point or at this stage of a process. It often implies that it is too late for something.

A estas alturas, no podemos cambiar el plan.

En estas y en esas

— Between one thing and another, or while busy with various tasks.

En estas y en esas, se nos pasó el tiempo.

Por estas

— An informal way to swear or promise something, often accompanied by a gesture of crossing the fingers.

Te lo juro por estas que no lo hice.

Estas son las mías

— An expression used when someone finds an opportunity that suits them perfectly.

Cuando vi el examen, pensé: 'estas son las mías'.

De estas

— Used to refer to a sudden event or a specific type of situation.

En una de estas, vamos a tener un problema.

Ni estas ni aquellas

— Neither these nor those; used to reject all current options.

No me gustan ni estas ni aquellas.

Con estas manos

— Emphasizing that something was done personally and physically.

Construí la casa con estas manos.

A estas horas

— Referring to the current time, usually to complain about it being too late or too early.

¿Quién llama por teléfono a estas horas?

Estas cosas pasan

— A common phrase used to dismiss a small mistake or an unfortunate event as normal.

No te preocupes, estas cosas pasan.

Estas que lo tiran

— Used when someone is being very generous or spending a lot of money (though 'están' is more common, 'estas' can be used in specific contexts).

Hoy estas que lo tiran con los regalos.

Often Confused With

estas vs estás

The verb 'you are'. It has an accent and is stressed on the second syllable.

estas vs estos

The masculine plural form. Used for masculine nouns or mixed groups.

estas vs esas

Means 'those'. Used for things further away from the speaker.

Idioms & Expressions

"A estas alturas del partido"

— At this late stage of the situation, often implying it's too late for changes.

A estas alturas del partido, no aceptamos excusas.

informal

"Por estas que son cruces"

— A very strong way to swear that something is true, referring to making a cross with the fingers.

Te digo la verdad, por estas que son cruces.

informal

"En estas y las otras"

— While doing various things or while time was passing.

En estas y las otras, se hizo de noche.

neutral

"Estas son lentejas"

— An idiom meaning 'this is what there is, take it or leave it' (short for 'lentejas, si quieres las comes y si no, las dejas').

El sueldo es bajo, pero estas son lentejas.

informal

"Andar en estas"

— To be involved in certain (often suspicious or specific) activities.

No sabía que andabas en estas.

informal

"De estas a aquellas"

— From one moment to another or between different options.

Cambiamos de opinión de estas a aquellas.

neutral

"Estas que te sales"

— Used to say someone is doing something exceptionally well (note: uses the verb 'estás' but often confused).

¡Estas que te sales con ese vestido!

informal

"A estas y a las otras"

— Referring to all sorts of things or excuses.

Vino con estas y a las otras, pero no le creí.

informal

"Por estas manos"

— A way to guarantee work or effort.

Te aseguro que por estas manos pasará el proyecto.

neutral

"Estas son las que duelen"

— Referring to specific words or actions that are particularly hurtful.

Esas críticas... estas son las que duelen.

informal

Easily Confused

estas vs esta

Singular vs Plural.

Esta is for one item, estas is for multiple items.

Esta mesa (one) vs estas mesas (many).

estas vs están

Phonetic similarity.

Están is the verb 'they are', estas is the determiner 'these'.

Ellas están aquí vs Estas niñas están aquí.

estas vs aquellas

Both mean 'those' in English contexts.

Estas is 'these' (near), aquellas is 'those' (far away).

Estas aquí vs aquellas allá.

estas vs estas (pronoun)

Same spelling.

The determiner precedes a noun; the pronoun replaces it.

Estas llaves (det) vs Quiero estas (pro).

estas vs estás (verb)

Visual similarity.

Accent mark and grammatical function.

Tú estás feliz vs Estas flores.

Sentence Patterns

Estas + [feminine plural noun] + son + [adjective].

Estas flores son bonitas.

¿Son estas + [possessive] + [noun]?

¿Son estas tus llaves?

Estas + [noun] + de aquí.

Estas sillas de aquí son cómodas.

Durante estas + [time period].

Durante estas semanas he estudiado mucho.

Por estas + [abstract noun].

Por estas razones no puedo ir.

A estas alturas + [clause].

A estas alturas ya no importa.

Estas + [noun] + que + [verb].

Estas medidas que tomamos son efectivas.

Dichas + [noun] / Estas + [noun].

Estas vicisitudes marcaron su vida.

Word Family

Adjectives

How to Use It

frequency

Extremely high; among the top 500 words in Spanish.

Common Mistakes

Using 'estas' with masculine nouns. → Estos libros.
Learners often forget that 'estas' is only for feminine nouns. 'Libros' is masculine, so it requires 'estos'.
Adding an accent mark: 'estás llaves'. → Estas llaves.
The accent mark changes the word into a verb ('you are'). The determiner 'these' never has an accent.
Forgetting to pluralize the noun: 'estas mesa'. → Estas mesas.
Demonstratives and nouns must match in number. If the determiner is plural, the noun must be too.
Using 'estas' for objects far away. → Esas sillas / Aquellas sillas.
Spanish is very specific about distance. 'Estas' is only for things very close to the speaker.
Using 'estas' for a mixed group of people. → Estos chicos y chicas.
Even if there is only one male in a large group of females, the masculine plural 'estos' must be used.

Tips

Agreement is Key

Always ensure the noun and any adjectives match 'estas' in being feminine and plural. One mistake here can make the whole sentence sound wrong.

Avoid the Verb Trap

Keep the stress on the 'ES'. If you stress the 'TAS', people will think you are saying 'you are' (estás).

Learn Tricky Nouns

Memorize feminine nouns that don't end in 'a', like 'manos' and 'fotos', so you can use 'estas' correctly with them.

The Touch Test

If you can touch the objects, use 'estas'. If you have to point across the room, use 'esas'.

No Accents Needed

Modern Spanish rules have removed the accent from demonstrative pronouns, so 'estas' never needs one.

Listen for the 'S'

The difference between 'esta' (this) and 'estas' (these) is a subtle 's' sound. Listen closely in fast conversation.

Use Gestures

Don't be afraid to point! Spanish is a very gestural language, and 'estas' is often accompanied by a physical motion.

Vary Your Demonstratives

To sound more natural, use 'estas' to bring things into focus and 'esas' to distance yourself from things you don't like.

Rhyme Time

Remember: 'Este and Estas have the T's, for the things you touch with ease!'

Abstract Proximity

Use 'estas' for ideas you are currently explaining to make them feel more immediate to your audience.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'ESTAS' as 'ESTA' + 'S'. 'Esta' is 'this' (feminine), and the 'S' makes it 'these'. If you can touch it with your hand (ESTA mano), use ESTAS.

Visual Association

Imagine yourself standing in a circle of feminine objects (like flowers or chairs) and pointing your fingers down at them. The word 'estas' points down to what is near.

Word Web

estas esta estos este aquí cerca feminino plural

Challenge

Try to find five feminine plural objects in your room right now and say 'estas [noun]' for each one.

Word Origin

Derived from the Latin 'ista', which was the feminine plural form of 'iste'. In Vulgar Latin, 'iste' began to be used as a proximal demonstrative.

Original meaning: That one (near you) - interestingly, the meaning shifted from 'near you' in Latin to 'near me' in Spanish.

Romance (Indo-European)

Cultural Context

There are no major sensitivities, but ensure you use the masculine 'estos' if the group of people includes even one male.

English speakers often over-rely on 'the' (las) when they should use 'estas' to be more specific and engaging.

The song 'Estas Mañanitas' (though it refers to the mornings). Commonly used in Spanish poetry to refer to 'estas manos' or 'estas tierras'. Frequent in Spanish film titles referring to specific groups of women.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Shopping

¿Cuánto cuestan estas?
Quiero estas camisas.
Estas son muy caras.
¿Tienen estas en rojo?

Home

¿De quién son estas llaves?
Limpia estas mesas.
Estas flores huelen bien.
Guarda estas toallas.

Office

Revisa estas facturas.
Estas carpetas son nuevas.
Necesito estas firmas.
¿Dónde están estas notas?

School

Abran estas páginas.
Estas tareas son para hoy.
Miren estas imágenes.
Estas reglas son importantes.

Socializing

Estas son mis amigas.
Me encantan estas galletas.
¿Has visto estas fotos?
Estas vacaciones fueron geniales.

Conversation Starters

"¿Has visto estas nuevas películas que salieron?"

"¿Qué te parecen estas opciones para la cena?"

"¿De dónde sacaste estas flores tan bonitas?"

"¿Sabes si estas sillas están ocupadas?"

"¿Cómo han ido estas últimas semanas para ti?"

Journal Prompts

Escribe sobre tres cosas que tienes cerca de ti ahora mismo usando 'estas'.

Describe estas vacaciones ideales que te gustaría tener.

Haz una lista de estas metas que quieres cumplir este año.

¿Qué piensas de estas noticias recientes en tu país?

Describe a estas personas que son importantes en tu vida.

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No, the demonstrative determiner 'estas' never has an accent mark. If you see an accent (estás), it is the verb 'estar' meaning 'you are'. In the past, the pronoun form sometimes had an accent (éstas), but the Royal Spanish Academy (RAE) now advises against it in all cases.

No, you cannot. In Spanish, if a group is mixed-gender, you must use the masculine plural form 'estos'. 'Estas' is strictly for groups that are entirely feminine or for feminine objects.

'Estas' refers to things near the speaker ('these'). 'Esas' refers to things near the listener or slightly further away ('those'). For example, if you are holding keys, they are 'estas llaves'. If your friend is holding them, they are 'esas llaves'.

Yes, 'estas' is very common in time expressions to refer to the current period. Examples include 'estas semanas' (these weeks) or 'estas Navidades' (this Christmas). It indicates that the time period is currently happening or very close.

Yes, when it functions as a pronoun. If the noun is already known, you can just say 'estas'. For example: '¿Qué flores prefieres? Prefiero estas'. In this case, 'estas' stands in for 'estas flores'.

Most feminine nouns end in '-a', '-ción', '-dad', or '-tad'. However, there are exceptions like 'la mano' (plural: 'estas manos') or 'la foto' (plural: 'estas fotos'). You must learn the gender of the noun first.

'Estas' is neutral and can be used in any register, from very informal slang to highly formal legal documents. Its meaning remains the same, though the nouns it accompanies will change depending on the formality.

The spatial opposite would be 'aquellas', which refers to things far away from both the speaker and the listener. The gender opposite is 'estos', and the number opposite is 'esta'.

No. Unlike the definite article 'el/la' (e.g., 'el agua'), demonstratives do not change. You would still say 'estas aguas' (though 'agua' is usually singular 'este agua' or 'esta agua' depending on the region, in plural it is always 'estas aguas').

In very specific contexts where the English 'these' and 'those' overlap, maybe, but generally 'estas' is strictly 'these'. If you want to say 'those', you should use 'esas' or 'aquellas'.