ésa
ESS-ah
📝 In Action
¿Quieres esta manzana o ésa?
A1Do you want this apple or that one?
La casa azul es ésa, cerca del parque.
A2The blue house is that one, near the park.
No me gusta esta camisa; prefiero ésa que está en el escaparate.
B1I don't like this shirt; I prefer that one in the window.
💡 Grammar Points
Pronoun Function
A pronoun like 'ésa' stands completely alone and replaces a feminine thing or person (like 'la mesa'). It never goes right before a noun.
Showing Distance
'Ésa' refers to something that is slightly further away from you, often near the person you are speaking to, or just something you are pointing out that is not immediately next to you.
Accent Mark
The accent mark on 'ésa' is the traditional way to show it is a pronoun (standing alone) and not the adjective 'esa' (which goes before a noun, like 'esa mesa').
❌ Common Pitfalls
Confusing Gender
Mistake: "¿Quieres el carro o ésa?"
Correction: If the noun being replaced is masculine (carro), you must use the masculine form: 'Quieres el carro o ése?'
⭐ Usage Tips
Thinking of 'That One'
If you can replace the Spanish word with 'that one' in English, you almost certainly need the pronoun form ('ésa', traditionally with the accent).
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: ésa
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence correctly uses 'ésa' to replace the feminine noun 'la pluma' (the pen)?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does 'ésa' sometimes lose its accent mark?
The RAE (Royal Spanish Academy) determined in 2010 that the accent mark (tilde) on demonstrative pronouns like 'ésa' is generally optional. Since confusion between the pronoun ('that one') and the adjective ('that') is rare in context, the accent is often omitted in modern writing. However, when we include the accent, we are specifically highlighting its function as a standalone pronoun.
How do I know whether to use 'ésa' or 'aquélla'?
Both mean 'that one.' 'Ésa' is for things that are a medium distance away (like across the room or near your friend). 'Aquélla' is for things that are much further away (like across the street or across the field), indicating far distance.