esta
“esta” means “this” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
this
📝 In Action
Esta silla es muy cómoda.
A1This chair is very comfortable.
Me gusta mucho esta película.
A1I really like this movie.
Esta semana tengo mucho trabajo.
A2This week I have a lot of work.
this one
📝 In Action
-¿Qué camisa prefieres? -Prefiero esta.
A1-Which shirt do you prefer? -I prefer this one.
Hay muchas opciones, pero esta es mi favorita.
A2There are many options, but this one is my favorite.
Esa casa es bonita, pero esta tiene un jardín más grande.
B1That house is pretty, but this one has a bigger garden.
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: esta
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence correctly uses 'esta'?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
Comes from the Latin word 'ista', which was used to point to things that were close to the person being spoken to. Over time, it evolved into the modern Spanish 'esta'.
First recorded: Around the 10th century
Cognates (Related words)
💡 Master Spanish
Take your Spanish to the next level. Read 200+ illustrated and narrated Spanish stories tailored to your level with the Inklingo app!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 'esta' and 'está'?
The accent mark changes everything! 'Esta' (no accent, stress on 'es') means 'this' or 'this one'. 'Está' (with an accent, stress on 'tá') is a form of the verb 'estar' and means 'is', 'am', or 'are' (for location or temporary states). For example: 'Esta casa está en Madrid.' (This house is in Madrid.)
How do I know whether to use 'esta', 'este', or 'esto'?
It depends on the noun you're talking about. Use 'esta' for feminine things ('esta mesa' - this table). Use 'este' for masculine things ('este libro' - this book). Use 'esto' when you're talking about a general idea or an unknown object, not a specific noun. For example, if you see something strange, you might ask, '¿Qué es esto?' (What is this?).
Do I need to put an accent on 'esta' when it means 'this one'?
Not anymore! It used to be a rule to write 'ésta' to distinguish it from the adjective 'esta', but the Royal Spanish Academy (RAE) removed this rule. You might still see it in older writing, but you don't need to use it.