How To Say “This” And “That” In Portuguese

March 8, 2025

In English, we address spatial relationships with just “this” (close) or “that” (far). But Portuguese adds nuance with a three-way system, that reflects not just distance, but who the object is closest to: you (the speaker), the listener or neither of you. Add in the gender and number agreement, and it’s easy to feel overwhelmed—but don’t worry! We’ll break these demonstratives down for you below. 👇

The Three Rules Of Proximity

1. When something is close to you (the speaker):

• estethisCommunity Slow audio Play audio Demonstratives, Singular, Masculine (masculine singular)  / estathisCommunity Slow audio Play audio Demonstratives, Singular, Feminine (feminine singular) / estestheseCommunity Slow audio Play audio Demonstratives, Plural, Masculine (masculine plural)  / estastheseCommunity Slow audio Play audio Demonstratives, Plural, Feminine (feminine plural)
• istothisCommunity Slow audio Play audio Demonstratives (non-specific)

Este livro é interessanteThis book is interestingCommunity Slow audio Play audio

Estas garrafas são minhasThese bottles are mineCommunity Slow audio Play audio

Isto é meu!This is mine!Community Slow audio Play audio

2. When something is close to the listener:

• essethatCommunity Slow audio Play audio Demonstratives, Singular, Masculine (masculine singular) / essathatCommunity Slow audio Play audio Demonstratives, Singular, Feminine (feminine singular) / essesthoseCommunity Slow audio Play audio Demonstratives, Plural, Masculine (masculine plural) / essasthoseCommunity Slow audio Play audio Demonstratives, Plural, Feminine (masculine plural)
• issothatCommunity Slow audio Play audio Pronoun (non-specific)

Essa caneta funciona?Does that pen work?Community Slow audio Play audio

Esses cadernos são teus?Are those notebooks yours?Community Slow audio Play audio

O que é isso?What is that?Community Slow audio Play audio

3. When something is far from both of you:

• aquelethatCommunity Slow audio Play audio Demonstratives, Singular, Masculine  (masculine singular) / aquelathatCommunity Slow audio Play audio Demonstratives, Singular, Feminine (feminine singular) / aquelesthoseCommunity Slow audio Play audio Demonstratives, Plural, Masculine (masculine plural) / aquelasthoseCommunity Slow audio Play audio Demonstratives, Plural, Feminine (masculine plural)
• aquilothatCommunity Slow audio Play audio Demonstratives (non-specific)

Aquele carro é caroThat (far away) car is expensiveCommunity Slow audio Play audio

Aquelas pessoas estão à esperaThose (far away) people are waitingCommunity Slow audio Play audio

Eu não sei o que é aquiloI don't know what that (far away) isCommunity Slow audio Play audio

Putting It Into Practice

Now, imagine you’re in a cafécoffee, coffee shopCommunity Slow audio Play audio Noun, Singular, Masculine with a friend, and you want to:

• Comment on your coffee (close to you): Este café é muito bomThis (near speaker) coffee is very goodCommunity Slow audio Play audio
• Ask about their pastry (close to them): Esse pastel é bom?Is that (near listener) pastry any good?Community Slow audio Play audio
• Mention the people across the street (far from both): Olha para aquelas pessoas aliLook at those people over thereCommunity Slow audio Play audio

Notice how the demonstratives shift based on the relative location. It’s like creating a map of proximity within in the conversation.

More On Non-Specific Words

Words such as isto, isso and aquilo can be used to refer to objects, but they can also act as “placeholder” pronouns for abstract ideas or vague references. For example:

• Isto é escandaloso!This is outrageous!Community Slow audio Play audio
• Isso não está a correr bemThis is not going wellCommunity Slow audio Play audio
• Eu não acredito que aquilo aconteceuI don't believe that (far away) happenedCommunity Slow audio Play audio

Pro Tip: If you want to see and hear how these words are used in context, check out our 3-min video breakdown over here.

At first, choosing between este, esse and aquele might feel like mental gymnastics. But the more you practice, the sooner it’ll start to click. Soon, you’ll navigate Portuguese conversations with spatial precision—no pointing required! 🙂