eso
/eh-so/
📝 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.
💡 Grammar Points
Pointing Out Ideas or Things
'Eso' means 'that' and is used to talk about things that are a medium distance away from you, or to refer to a situation or idea you just mentioned.
'Esto', 'Eso', & 'Aquello'
Think of them as levels of distance: 'esto' is for 'this' (close to me), 'eso' is for 'that' (a bit further away), and 'aquello' is for 'that over there' (far away).
The 'Neutral' Pointer Word
'Eso' is special because it doesn't change for masculine or feminine things. Use it for unknown objects, abstract ideas, or whole situations.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using 'Eso' for Specific Nouns
Mistake: "Me gusta eso coche."
Correction: Use 'ese' for masculine things ('ese coche') and 'esa' for feminine things ('esa casa'). 'Eso' is for when you don't know the gender or are talking about an idea, not a specific noun.
⭐ Usage Tips
Responding with 'Eso'
You can simply say 'Eso' to mean 'That's it!' or 'Exactly!' when someone says something you agree with.
Asking 'Why?' Informally
The phrase '¿Y eso?' is a very common and natural way to ask 'Why?' or 'How come?' when you're surprised by something someone said.
✏️ 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?
📚 More Resources
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.