Demonstrative adjectives: aquel, aquella, aquellos, aquellas = that/those in Spanish [over there] (Adjetivos demostrativos)

There are two ways to say that/those in Spanish: ese and aquel. Learn about aquel in this lesson.

That/those in Spanish 

To express that/those + [noun] (over there)  in Spanish, you use the following demonstrative adjectives: aquel, aquella, aquellos, aquellas + [noun].
In Spanish we have these specific adjectives that are used to talk about something or someone that is far from the speaker and the listener. 
They are generally translated as: that/those over there.

Have a look at these examples:

Aquel jersey es demasiado caro.That jumper (over there) is too expensive.

Aquella chica no tenía mucha creatividad.That girl (over there) didn't have much creativity.

Aquellos pantalones no te quedan bien.Those trousers (over there) don't fit you well.

Aquel verano fue el mejor de mi niñez.That summer (back then) was the best of my childhood.

They agree in gender and number with the noun they refer to, as follows:

  Masculine Feminine

Singular (that) 

aquel

aquella

Plural (those)

aquellos

aquellas


Aquel vestido cuesta más de 100 euros.That dress (over there) costs more than 100 euros.

Aquella sombrilla estaba rota.That parasol (over there) was broken.

Sometimes these adjectives are about "time distance", and not really about physical space. In these cases the sentences have a nostalgic element. Have a look at these examples:

Nunca voy a olvidar aquellas verbenas en el pueblo.I'll never forget those open-air dances (back then) in the village.

Aquellos viajes eran maravillosos.Those trips (back then) were wonderful.

Aquel verano fue el mejor de mi niñez.That summer (back then) was the best of my childhood.

No me gustaba aquella niñera tan estricta.I didn't like that very strict nanny.

These adjectives become pronouns when they do not accompany a noun. To learn about these see Using aquel, aquella, aquellos, aquellas for that one (over there), those ones (over there) and that (over there) (demonstrative pronouns).

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Examples and resources

Aquel verano fue el mejor de mi niñez.That summer (back then) was the best of my childhood.
Aquella sombrilla estaba rota.That parasol (over there) was broken.
Nunca voy a olvidar aquellas verbenas en el pueblo.I'll never forget those open-air dances (back then) in the village.
No me gustaba aquella niñera tan estricta.I didn't like that very strict nanny.
Aquellos viajes eran maravillosos.Those trips (back then) were wonderful.
Aquel jersey es demasiado caro.That jumper (over there) is too expensive.
Aquella chica no tenía mucha creatividad.That girl (over there) didn't have much creativity.
Aquellos pantalones no te quedan bien.Those trousers (over there) don't fit you well.
Aquel vestido cuesta más de 100 euros.That dress (over there) costs more than 100 euros.
Aquellas bicicletas son de mi amigo Vicente.Those bikes (over there) are my friend Vicente's.
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