eso
“eso” means “that” in Spanish (referring to an idea, situation, or object).
that
Also: it
📝 In Action
¿Qué es eso?
A1What is that?
No me gusta eso.
A1I don't like that.
Eso es muy interesante.
A2That is very interesting.
Deja eso en la mesa, por favor.
A2Leave that on the table, please.
🔀 Commonly Confused With
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✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: eso
Question 1 of 2
Your friend says, 'I'm not going to the party tonight.' How would you ask 'Why is that?' in a natural, common way?
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👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
Comes from the Latin word 'ipsum', which meant 'itself'. Over time, it evolved in Spanish to become a way to point to things that are not right next to the speaker.
First recorded: Used in early forms of Spanish, around the 10th century.
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between 'eso' and 'ese'/'esa'?
Use 'eso' when you're talking about an idea, a situation, or an object whose name or gender you don't know (like pointing and saying 'What is that?'). Use 'ese' (for masculine things) and 'esa' (for feminine things) when you are talking about a specific noun, like 'ese coche' (that car) or 'esa mesa' (that table).
When do I use 'esto', 'eso', or 'aquello'?
It's all about distance from you, the speaker! Use 'esto' for 'this' (something close to you). Use 'eso' for 'that' (something a bit further away, or close to the person you're talking to). Use 'aquello' for 'that over there' (something far from both of you).
Can I say 'por qué' instead of '¿Y eso?'
Yes, '¿Por qué?' is the standard way to ask 'Why?'. Think of '¿Y eso?' as a more conversational, informal follow-up, like saying 'Oh yeah? How come?' It shows a little more surprise.