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A1 determiner #2,000 mais comum 6 min de leitura

aquella

Pratique Exemplos Notas e dicas aquella em 30 segundos
Explicação aquella in your Level:
At the A1 level, you learn 'aquella' as part of the basic demonstratives. You use it to point at feminine things that are far away from you and the person you are talking to. For example, if you are in a park and you see a mountain far away, you say 'aquella montaña'. It is important to remember that it must match feminine nouns like 'casa', 'chica', or 'tienda'. You don't need to worry about complex grammar yet; just think of it as 'that one over there' for feminine things.
At the A2 level, you start using 'aquella' to talk about the past. Instead of just pointing at physical objects, you use it for time. Phrases like 'aquella semana' (that week) or 'aquella vez' (that time) are common when telling simple stories about your life. You also begin to distinguish more clearly between 'esa' and 'aquella'. You learn that 'aquella' is for things that are truly distant, not just things near the other person.
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At the B1 level, you use 'aquella' more naturally in narratives and descriptions. You might use it as a pronoun more often, replacing the noun entirely to avoid repetition. For example: 'Había dos casas; aquella era más grande'. You also learn to use it in more varied contexts, such as describing distant memories or abstract concepts that feel 'far' from the current conversation. Your understanding of the contrast between 'esta', 'esa', and 'aquella' becomes more intuitive.
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At the B2 level, you master the use of 'aquella' in formal writing and complex storytelling. You use it to create a specific atmosphere or to refer back to the first of two feminine subjects mentioned (the 'former'). You also understand the nuance of using 'aquella' to create emotional distance or to show respect/formality when referring to distant places or historical events. You rarely make mistakes with gender agreement or neuter forms.
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At the C1 level, 'aquella' becomes a tool for stylistic precision. You use it in literary analysis or academic writing to maintain clear reference points in long sentences. You are comfortable with the RAE's rules regarding the lack of an accent mark on demonstrative pronouns. You can use 'aquella' to evoke specific cultural or historical connotations, and you understand how its use can change the 'tone' of a sentence from casual to sophisticated.
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At the C2 level, your use of 'aquella' is indistinguishable from a highly educated native speaker. You use it with perfect rhetorical effect in speeches, literature, or high-level debates. You understand archaic uses found in classical literature (like Cervantes) where 'aquella' might have different nuances. You can play with the word's ability to create distance to manipulate the listener's perspective, using it as a sophisticated tool for framing narratives.
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Pratique Exemplos Notas e dicas

aquella em 30 segundos

  • Aquella is a feminine singular demonstrative used to point out objects or people that are far away from both the speaker and the listener.
  • It is also used to refer to distant past times, such as 'aquella época' (that era), creating a sense of nostalgia or historical distance.
  • As a pronoun, it can replace a feminine noun entirely to avoid repetition, functioning as 'that one' in sentences like 'prefiero aquella'.
  • It is the distal member of the Spanish demonstrative trio: esta (near me), esa (near you), and aquella (far from both of us).

The Spanish word aquella is a demonstrative determiner and pronoun that translates to 'that' or 'that one' in English, specifically referring to a feminine singular noun that is physically or temporally distant from both the speaker and the listener. In the landscape of Spanish demonstratives, it represents the furthest point of distance, distinguishing itself from esta (this) and esa (that, near you).

Grammatical Category
Feminine singular demonstrative adjective or pronoun.
Spatial Distance
Indicates an object far from both the speaker and the person being addressed.
Temporal Distance
Used to refer to a time long ago, often in a nostalgic or historical context.

"Mira aquella montaña en el horizonte; es la más alta de la región."

Example: Pointing to a distant mountain.

Understanding aquella requires a grasp of the Spanish three-tier system of proximity. While English only distinguishes between 'this' and 'that', Spanish provides a middle ground. Esta is here, esa is there (near you), and aquella is way over there. This precision allows Spanish speakers to navigate space with linguistic cues that English lacks.

"En aquella época, la vida era mucho más sencilla y tranquila."

Example: Referring to a distant past.
Agreement
Must always match the gender (feminine) and number (singular) of the noun it modifies.
Accentuation
Historically, aquélla (with an accent) was used as a pronoun, but modern RAE rules state the accent is no longer necessary unless there is ambiguity.

Using aquella correctly involves mastering two primary functions: as a demonstrative adjective (modifying a noun) and as a demonstrative pronoun (replacing a noun). In both cases, the core concept remains the same: extreme distance.

1. As a Demonstrative Adjective

When aquella precedes a feminine singular noun, it acts as an adjective. It tells the listener exactly which item you are talking about based on its location in space or time.

  • Spatial: "Aquella casa roja" (That red house way over there).
  • Temporal: "Aquella noche de verano" (That summer night long ago).

"¿Ves aquella estrella? Es Venus."

Example: Identifying a distant celestial body.

2. As a Demonstrative Pronoun

When the noun has already been mentioned or is obvious from context, aquella can stand alone. It takes on the role of the noun itself.

"De todas las pinturas, prefiero aquella que está al fondo del pasillo."

Example: Referring back to 'pintura' (painting).
Contrast with 'Esa'
Use esa for things within sight or reach of the listener. Use aquella for things that feel removed from both of you.
Narrative Use
In storytelling, aquella is used to set the scene in a distant past, creating a sense of legend or history.

You will encounter aquella in various contexts, from casual conversations about travel to formal historical lectures. Its usage varies slightly depending on the medium and the intent of the speaker.

In Everyday Conversation

In daily life, people use aquella when pointing out landmarks, distant vehicles, or people far away in a crowd. It is common in outdoor settings like parks, beaches, or city squares.

"¿Te acuerdas de aquella chica que conocimos en el viaje?"

Example: Recalling someone from a distant past event.

In Literature and History

Authors love aquella because it evokes nostalgia. It is the standard way to begin a story about 'that time' or 'that era'. It creates a poetic distance between the reader and the events described.

Classic Openings
"En aquella remota aldea..." (In that remote village...).
Historical Context
"Aquella guerra cambió el rumbo del país." (That war changed the course of the country).

"Mira aquella nube; parece un elefante."

Example: Observing the sky.

Even advanced learners can stumble when using aquella. The most frequent errors involve gender agreement, confusion with neuter forms, and choosing the wrong level of distance.

1. Gender Mismatch

Because aquella ends in '-a', it must only be used with feminine nouns. Using it with a masculine noun like libro is a common beginner mistake.

Incorrect: "Aquella coche es viejo."
Correct: "Aquel coche es viejo."

2. Confusion with 'Aquello'

Aquello is the neuter form. It is used for ideas or things whose name you don't know. Aquella is specific to feminine nouns.

The 'Aquello' Rule
Use aquello for "that thing over there" (unknown). Use aquella for "that [feminine noun] over there".

3. Overusing it for 'That'

English speakers tend to use esa for almost every 'that'. While esa is versatile, failing to use aquella for truly distant things makes your Spanish sound less nuanced and less natural.

To master aquella, you must understand its relationship with other demonstratives and similar-sounding words. It exists in a tight-knit family of spatial markers.

The Demonstrative Trio

Spanish uses three levels of distance, whereas English only uses two. This is the most important comparison for learners.

Esta (This)
Close to the speaker. "Esta mesa" (This table right here).
Esa (That)
Close to the listener or moderately distant. "Esa mesa" (That table near you).
Aquella (That over there)
Far from both. "Aquella mesa" (That table way over in the corner).

Related Forms

  • Aquel: The masculine singular version (That man over there).
  • Aquellas: The feminine plural version (Those houses over there).
  • Aquellos: The masculine plural version (Those trees over there).
  • Aquello: The neuter version (That abstract thing/situation).

How Formal Is It?

Nível de dificuldade

Gramática essencial

Demonstrative adjectives vs pronouns

Noun-adjective agreement

Adverbs of place (allí, allá)

The neuter 'aquello'

The use of 'el cual' vs 'aquella que'

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Exemplos por nível

1

Mira aquella casa.

Look at that house (far away).

Aquella modifies the feminine noun 'casa'.

2

Aquella niña es mi prima.

That girl (over there) is my cousin.

Aquella is used for a person at a distance.

3

¿Ves aquella montaña?

Do you see that mountain?

Used for large, distant geographical features.

4

Aquella tienda está cerrada.

That shop (over there) is closed.

Demonstrative adjective 'aquella' + noun 'tienda'.

5

Me gusta aquella flor.

I like that flower (far away).

Agreement with 'flor' (feminine).

6

Aquella es mi bicicleta.

That one (over there) is my bicycle.

Used here as a pronoun.

7

Aquella ventana está abierta.

That window (over there) is open.

Indicates spatial distance.

8

Quiero aquella manzana.

I want that apple (the one far away).

Specifies a particular item among others.

1

Aquella tarde fue muy divertida.

That afternoon was very fun.

Temporal use of 'aquella' for a past time.

2

Recuerdo aquella canción.

I remember that song.

Refers to a song from the distant past.

3

En aquella época no había internet.

In those times (that era), there was no internet.

Common phrase for historical context.

4

Aquella vez fuimos a la playa.

That time we went to the beach.

'Vez' is feminine, so we use 'aquella'.

5

Aquella mujer es una doctora famosa.

That woman (over there) is a famous doctor.

Identifying someone at a distance.

6

No me gusta aquella película.

I don't like that movie (we saw long ago).

Temporal distance in memory.

7

Aquella calle es muy estrecha.

That street (over there) is very narrow.

Describing a distant location.

8

Compré esta mesa, no aquella.

I bought this table, not that one (over there).

Contrast between 'esta' and 'aquella'.

1

Aquella decisión cambió mi vida para siempre.

That decision changed my life forever.

Abstract noun 'decisión' with temporal distance.

2

Nunca olvidaré aquella mirada.

I will never forget that look.

Emphasizing a specific, distant memory.

3

Aquella era la casa donde nació mi abuela.

That was the house where my grandmother was born.

Pronoun use in a narrative context.

4

En aquella ciudad, la gente era muy amable.

In that city (far away/long ago), people were very kind.

Setting a scene in a story.

5

Aquella propuesta me pareció interesante.

That proposal seemed interesting to me.

Referring to a past abstract concept.

6

Prefiero esta chaqueta a aquella.

I prefer this jacket to that one.

Using 'aquella' to avoid repeating 'chaqueta'.

7

Aquella noche, las estrellas brillaban más.

That night, the stars shone brighter.

Evocative use in storytelling.

8

Aquella zona es peligrosa de noche.

That area (over there) is dangerous at night.

Referring to a specific distant location.

1

Aquella fue una época de grandes cambios sociales.

That was an era of great social changes.

Formal historical reference.

2

La diferencia entre esta teoría y aquella es notable.

The difference between this theory and that one is notable.

Comparing abstract concepts.

3

Aquella experiencia me enseñó a ser paciente.

That experience taught me to be patient.

Reflecting on a distant life event.

4

No puedo dejar de pensar en aquella posibilidad.

I can't stop thinking about that possibility.

Abstract noun with emotional distance.

5

Aquella empresa quebró hace diez años.

That company went bankrupt ten years ago.

Specific reference to a past entity.

6

Entre la primera opción y la segunda, prefiero aquella.

Between the first option and the second, I prefer the former.

Using 'aquella' to mean 'the former' (feminine).

7

Aquella actitud no es propia de un profesional.

That attitude is not becoming of a professional.

Criticizing a distant or specific behavior.

8

Aquella pintura de Velázquez es mi favorita.

That painting by Velázquez (over there) is my favorite.

Artistic reference with spatial distance.

1

Aquella remota esperanza se desvaneció pronto.

That remote hope vanished quickly.

Literary use with abstract noun.

2

Se refería a aquella misma mujer que vimos ayer.

He was referring to that very same woman we saw yesterday.

Precise identification in complex speech.

3

Aquella era la esencia de su filosofía.

That was the essence of his philosophy.

High-level abstract reference.

4

Aquella región, otrora próspera, hoy está desierta.

That region, once prosperous, is now deserted.

Formal, sophisticated sentence structure.

5

No es fácil recuperar aquella confianza perdida.

It is not easy to recover that lost trust.

Metaphorical distance.

6

Aquella fue la chispa que encendió la revolución.

That was the spark that ignited the revolution.

Metaphorical use in historical analysis.

7

A diferencia de esta propuesta, aquella carece de rigor.

Unlike this proposal, that one lacks rigor.

Formal comparative analysis.

8

Aquella mañana de invierno, el destino se selló.

That winter morning, fate was sealed.

Narrative framing with high register.

1

Aquella sempiterna búsqueda de la verdad lo consumió.

That everlasting search for truth consumed him.

Use of sophisticated vocabulary ('sempiterna').

2

Evocaba con melancolía aquella arcadia de su infancia.

He evoked with melancholy that arcadia of his childhood.

Highly literary and evocative.

3

Aquella sutil ironía no pasó desapercibida.

That subtle irony did not go unnoticed.

Abstract and nuanced observation.

4

La dicotomía entre esta realidad y aquella ficción es clara.

The dichotomy between this reality and that fiction is clear.

Academic/Philosophical register.

5

Aquella era la premisa fundamental de su tratado.

That was the fundamental premise of his treatise.

Formal academic reference.

6

Aquella fútil resistencia solo prolongó el sufrimiento.

That futile resistance only prolonged the suffering.

Advanced vocabulary and formal tone.

7

Se aferraba a aquella quimera con desesperación.

He clung to that chimera with desperation.

Metaphorical and literary.

8

Aquella fue, a la postre, la decisión más acertada.

That was, ultimately, the most correct decision.

Use of the idiom 'a la postre'.

Colocações comuns

aquella época
aquella vez
aquella noche
aquella mañana
aquella casa
aquella mujer
aquella ciudad
aquella montaña
aquella zona
aquella idea

Frases Comuns

En aquella época
Aquella misma tarde
Por aquella zona
Aquella vez que...
De aquella manera
En aquella ocasión
Aquella chica de allí
Aquella vieja historia
Aquella montaña lejana
Aquella otra opción

Frequentemente confundido com

aquella vs aquello

aquella vs esa

aquella vs aquel

Expressões idiomáticas

"En aquella de Dios (In the middle of nowhere/long ago)"
"Aquella que te dije (That one I told you about - informal/vague)"
"De aquella (From that time/source)"
"Aquella es otra historia (That's another story/unrelated)"
"Ni aquella ni esta (Neither that one nor this one)"
"Aquella que no debe ser nombrada (She who must not be named)"
"Aquella vida (That [kind of] life)"
"Aquella suerte (That [specific] luck)"
"Aquella fe (That [unwavering] faith)"
"Aquella luz (That [guiding] light)"

Fácil de confundir

aquella vs

aquella vs

aquella vs

aquella vs

aquella vs

Padrões de frases

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Como usar

modern usage

The accent mark is now rare and discouraged by the RAE.

spatial vs temporal

It is equally common for both physical distance and time distance.

Erros comuns
  • Using 'aquella' for masculine nouns (e.g., 'aquella libro').
  • Confusing 'aquella' with 'esa' for things near the listener.
  • Using 'aquello' when a specific feminine noun is present.
  • Adding an unnecessary accent mark (aquélla) in modern writing.
  • Forgetting to change to 'aquellas' for plural nouns.

Dicas

Agreement is Key

Always check if your noun is feminine and singular before using 'aquella'. If it's plural, use 'aquellas'. If it's masculine, use 'aquel'.

The 'LL' Sound

Practice saying 'ah-KEH-yah'. Make sure the 'y' sound is smooth and doesn't sound like an 'L'.

Point it Out

In real life, 'aquella' is almost always accompanied by a physical gesture. Use your finger to point to the distant object.

Time Travel

Use 'aquella' when writing in your journal about memories from more than a year ago to sound more natural.

Avoid Repetition

If you've already said 'la casa', you can just say 'aquella' in the next sentence to refer back to it.

Distance Cues

When you hear 'aquella', look further away than you would for 'esa'. It helps you visualize the scene better.

Emotional Distance

You can use 'aquella' to talk about something you want to feel detached from, even if it's not physically far.

Storytelling

Start a story with 'Aquella vez...' to immediately grab the listener's attention and signal a narrative.

Not 'Aquello'

Remember: 'aquello' for 'that thing', 'aquella' for 'that [feminine noun]'. Don't mix them up!

The Former

In formal comparisons, use 'aquella' to refer to the first feminine noun mentioned and 'esta' for the second.

Memorize

Mnemônico

Aquella starts with 'A' like 'Away'. Use it for things that are far Away.

Origem da palavra

Latin

Contexto cultural

Using 'aquella' for a person can sometimes imply a lack of familiarity or intentional distancing.

Common in history textbooks to refer to 'aquella batalla' or 'aquella constitución'.

Used extensively by Gabriel García Márquez to establish the legendary atmosphere of Macondo.

Pratique na vida real

Contextos reais

Iniciadores de conversa

"¿Te acuerdas de aquella vez que nos perdimos?"

"¿Ves aquella nube? ¿Qué forma tiene para ti?"

"¿Qué piensas de aquella propuesta que hizo el jefe?"

"¿Has visitado aquella ciudad en el sur?"

"¿Quién es aquella mujer que está hablando con Juan?"

Temas para diário

Describe aquella tarde que cambió tu forma de pensar.

Escribe sobre aquella casa donde pasaste tus veranos.

¿Qué extrañas de aquella época de tu vida?

Imagina que estás mirando una montaña lejana. ¿Qué hay en aquella cima?

Reflexiona sobre aquella decisión difícil que tomaste el año pasado.

Perguntas frequentes

10 perguntas

Usa 'aquella' cuando el objeto está lejos de ti y de la persona con la que hablas. 'Esa' se usa cuando está cerca del oyente o a una distancia media.

Según la RAE, ya no es necesario poner tilde a los demostrativos, incluso si funcionan como pronombres, a menos que haya riesgo de ambigüedad.

Sí, puedes decir 'aquella mujer' o 'aquella chica' para referirte a alguien que está lejos.

'Aquella' es para sustantivos femeninos específicos. 'Aquello' es neutro y se usa para ideas abstractas o cosas que no tienen nombre.

Sí, es muy común para referirse a tiempos pasados lejanos, como 'aquella década' o 'aquella infancia'.

No es necesariamente formal, pero su uso correcto da precisión al lenguaje, lo cual es valorado en contextos formales.

El plural de 'aquella' es 'aquellas'.

No, 'hombre' es masculino. Debes usar 'aquel hombre'.

Generalmente sí, como adjetivo. Pero como pronombre, puede ir sola: 'Dame aquella'.

Es una expresión coloquial que significa en un lugar muy lejano o en un tiempo muy remoto.

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