Demonstrative and Possessive Adjectives
In Spanish, demonstrative adjectives are used to indicate the proximity of objects or locations in relation to the speaker. They are also used to point out specific things. Possessive adjectives are used to show possession or ownership. By understanding and using these adjectives correctly, you will be able to accurately express possession and indicate the location of things in Spanish.
Demonstrative Adjectives
Demonstrative adjectives in Spanish vary depending on the gender and number of the noun they modify. There are three sets of demonstrative adjectives: este/esta/estos/estas (this/these), ese/esa/esos/esas (that/those), and aquel/aquella/aquellos/aquellas (that/those over there).
Usage:
Este/Esta/Estos/Estas - Used to indicate objects or locations that are close to the speaker.
- Examples:
Este libro
- This bookEsta mesa
- This tableEstos lápices
- These pencilsEstas sillas
- These chairs
- Examples:
Ese/Esa/Esos/Esas - Used to indicate objects or locations that are close to the listener or previously mentioned.
- Examples:
Ese perro
- That dogEsa casa
- That houseEsos coches
- Those carsEsas flores
- Those flowers
- Examples:
Aquel/Aquella/Aquellos/Aquellas - Used to indicate objects or locations that are far from both the speaker and the listener.
- Examples:
Aquel edificio
- That building (over there)Aquella montaña
- That mountain (over there)Aquellos árboles
- Those trees (over there)Aquellas personas
- Those people (over there)
- Examples:
Possessive Adjectives
Possessive adjectives in Spanish are used to indicate ownership or possession. They agree in gender and number with the noun they modify.
Usage:
Mi/Mis - My
- Examples:
Mi casa
- My houseMis amigos
- My friendsMi libro
- My bookMis perros
- My dogs
- Examples:
Tu/Tus - Your
- Examples:
Tu casa
- Your houseTus amigos
- Your friendsTu libro
- Your bookTus perros
- Your dogs
- Examples:
Su/Sus - His/Her/Your (formal)
- Examples:
Su casa
- His/Her houseSus amigos
- His/Her friendsSu libro
- His/Her bookSus perros
- His/Her dogs
- Examples:
Nuestro/Nuestra/Nuestros/Nuestras - Our
- Examples:
Nuestro hogar
- Our homeNuestras familias
- Our familiesNuestro libro
- Our bookNuestros perros
- Our dogs
- Examples:
Vuestro/Vuestra/Vuestros/Vuestras - Your (plural, informal)
- Examples:
Vuestro apartamento
- Your apartmentVuestras mascotas
- Your petsVuestro libro
- Your bookVuestros coches
- Your cars
- Examples:
Su/Sus - Their/Your (plural, formal)
- Examples:
Su casa
- Their houseSus hijos
- Their childrenSu libro
- Their bookSus perros
- Their dogs
- Examples:
Recap
- Demonstrative adjectives in Spanish help indicate the proximity and location of objects or locations.
- Possessive adjectives in Spanish show ownership or possession.
- Demonstrative and possessive adjectives agree in gender and number with the noun they modify.
- Demonstrative adjectives include "este/esta/estos/estas," "ese/esa/esos/esas," and "aquel/aquella/aquellos/aquellas."
- Possessive adjectives include "mi/mis," "tu/tus," "su/sus," "nuestro/nuestra/nuestros/nuestras," "vuestro/vuestra/vuestros/vuestras," and "su/sus."
Created: 12/22/2023 | Updated: 5/5/2025