éste
/ess-tay/
📝 In Action
No me gusta ese coche, prefiero éste.
A1I don't like that car, I prefer this one.
De los dos pasteles, ¿cuál quieres? —Quiero éste.
A2Of the two cakes, which one do you want? —I want this one.
Hablé con el gerente y con su asistente; éste me dio la información.
B1I spoke with the manager and his assistant; the latter gave me the information.
💡 Grammar Points
Replacing a Masculine Noun
Use 'éste' to replace a masculine noun you've just mentioned or are pointing to. It's a shortcut for saying 'this one' so you don't have to repeat yourself. For example: '¿Qué libro lees? Leo éste.' (What book are you reading? I'm reading this one.)
The Accent Mark (Tilde) Debate
You'll see 'éste' (with an accent) and 'este' (without). They sound identical! The accent on 'éste' is a traditional way to show it means 'this one'. Spain's official language academy now says the accent is optional unless the sentence is confusing. Many writers still use it, so it's good to recognize both forms.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using 'éste' for Unknown Things
Mistake: "Cuando ves algo que no reconoces: '¿Qué es éste?'"
Correction: Use 'esto' (the neutral form) when you don't know what something is or are talking about a general idea. Correct: '¿Qué es esto?' (What is this?). You only use 'éste' when you know the thing you're replacing is masculine.
Forgetting the Noun with 'este'
Mistake: "Quiero este."
Correction: The word 'este' (no accent) needs a noun right after it, like 'este libro'. If you want to say just 'this one', you need the pronoun 'éste'. Correct: 'Quiero éste.'
⭐ Usage Tips
Pointing with Words
Think of demonstrative pronouns as pointing. 'Éste' points to something right beside you. If it's a little further away, use 'ése' (that one). If it's very far away, use 'aquél' (that one over there).
Sounding Formal with 'The Latter'
In writing or more formal speech, 'éste' can mean 'the latter'. If you mention two people or things, 'éste' refers to the second one you mentioned. Example: 'Prefiero el té al café; éste me pone nervioso.' (I prefer tea to coffee; the latter makes me nervous.)
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: éste
Question 1 of 1
Your friend shows you two phones (dos teléfonos) and asks '¿Cuál te gusta más?'. To say 'This one' while pointing at the one in your hand, you should say:
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the real difference between 'éste' and 'este'? Do I absolutely need the accent mark?
'Éste' with an accent is a pronoun that means 'this one'. It stands alone. 'Este' without an accent is a descriptor that means 'this', and it must be followed by a noun (like 'este libro'). As for the accent, the official rule since 2010 is that it's no longer required unless leaving it out would make a sentence confusing. However, many people and publications still use it out of habit. It's best to learn to recognize it, but you probably won't get in trouble for leaving it out.
Why can't I just say 'este uno' for 'this one'?
That's a great question because it's a direct translation from English! However, in Spanish, the pronoun 'éste' already has the idea of 'one' built into it. Saying 'este uno' sounds as unnatural to a Spanish speaker as saying 'this one book' might sound in English. Just remember: 'éste' = 'this one'.