In English, we just say "this" or "that” when pointing to objects.
“This” if the object is close to us.
“That” if the object is farther away.
But Portuguese has a three-way system!
We use different words depending on:
- If something is close to you (the speaker)
- If it's close to the person you're talking to
- If it's far away from both of you
And as usual, the words change according to whether the thing being described is singular, plural, masculine or feminine.
Let's break it down.
1. When something is close to you (the speaker):
- This/These = Este (masculine singular) / Esta (feminine singular) / Estes (masculine plural) / Estas (feminine plural)
- This (non-specific) = Isto
Este livro é interessante. (This book is interesting.)
Estas garrafas são minhas. (These bottles are mine.)
Isto não está a correr bem. (This is not going well.)
2. When something is close to the person you're talking to:
- That/Those = Esse / Essa / Esses / Essas
- That (non-specific) = Isso
Essa caneta funciona? (Does that pen work?)
Esses cadernos são teus? (Are those notebooks yours?)
O que é isso? (What is that?)
3. When something is far from both of you:
- That/Those (over there) = Aquele / Aquela / Aqueles / Aquelas
- That (non-specific, far) = Aquilo
Aquele carro é caro. (That car (over there) is expensive.)
Aquelas pessoas estão à espera. (Those people (over there) are waiting.)
Now, imagine you're in a café in Lisboa.
Here’s how you would say:
- This coffee is delicious (about your own coffee): Este café é delicioso.
- Is that pastry good? (pointing to one near your friend): Esse pastel é bom?
- Look at those people over there (far away): Olha para aquelas pessoas ali.