Using ese, esa, esos, esas, eso for that one, those ones and that (demonstrative pronouns)

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Learn about demonstrative pronouns in Spanish

In Spanish, to express that, that one or those ones we use the demonstrative pronouns: ese, esaesos, esas and eso.

Like all pronouns they do not accompany a noun. The noun they refer to has been mentioned before, either in the same or a previous sentence.

Have a look and listen to these examples:

En general me gustan los coches, pero ese me encanta.In general I like cars, but I love that one.

Las faldas en esta tienda son bonitas; ¿Te gusta esa?They have nice skirts in this shop; do you like that one?

Muchos profesores del colegio son antipáticos, pero esos sonríen mucho.Lots of teachers from the school are unpleasant, but those ones smile a lot.

Entre las amigas de Julia, esas son íntimas.Among Julia's friends, those ones are close friends.

The pronouns agree in gender and number with the noun they are refering to, this way:

  Masculine

Feminine

Singular (that one)

ese

esa

Plural (those ones)

esos

esas

When the pronoun is referring to an idea, then we use the neutral pronoun eso, and there is only one form. You could translate it as "that/that thing".

Have a look and listen to the following examples:

Eso me parece una tontería.That strikes me as being nonsense.

Eso no es una excusa para llegar tarde.That is not an excuse for being late.

 

See also Demonstrative adjectives: ese, esa, esos, esas to say that/those in Spanish (Adjetivos demostrativos) to see how these same forms work when accompanied by nouns.

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Examples and resources

Entre las amigas de Julia, esas son íntimas.Among Julia's friends, those ones are close friends.
Muchos profesores del colegio son antipáticos, pero esos sonríen mucho.Lots of teachers from the school are unpleasant, but those ones smile a lot.
Eso no es una excusa para llegar tarde.That is not an excuse for being late.
Eso me parece una tontería.That strikes me as being nonsense.
En general me gustan los coches, pero ese me encanta.In general I like cars, but I love that one.
Las faldas en esta tienda son bonitas; ¿Te gusta esa?They have nice skirts in this shop; do you like that one?
I'll be right with you...