From stating opinions to pointing out objects, learning how to say “that” in Spanish is a game changer. Using que, tan, eso, esa, and other ways to say “that” in Spanish will improve the flow of your sentences and reduce repetition.
There are eight ways to say “that” in Spanish—each with their own nuances—so flashcards and other memorization tools are not the best way to learn them. Instead, you can practice using them naturally in conversation with a friendly Rosetta Stone tutor. Even during practice, if you find yourself trying to remember what is “that” in Spanish, you can use this quick guide to refresh your memory and master the different translations.
Table of Contents
Que
Like other Spanish conjunctions, que in Spanish connects phrases to make your sentences more complex and detailed. Compare the first example that doesn’t use que to the second example that uses que to make the sentence more specific:
- Voy a comprar una casa. = I’m going to buy a house.
- Voy a comprar una casa que tenga una piscina. = I’m going to buy a house that has a swimming pool.
Que is also commonly used to give your opinion and express how you feel about a topic through sentences like “I think that…” and “I like that…” in Spanish. For example:
- Creo que va a llover. = I think that it’s going to rain.
- Me gusta que se disculpó por llegar tarde. = I like that he apologized for being late.
Tan
To use ‘that’ as an adverb, you’ll want to use tan. An adverb is the Spanish part of speech that gives extra details about verbs, adjectives, and other adverbs. Knowing the parts of speech is essential for choosing the correct translation for “that” as you practice how to learn Spanish.
Here are some examples that demonstrate when to use tan for “that” in Spanish:
- Mi carro no es tan rápido. = My car is not that fast.
- La película no fue tan interesante. = The movie was not that interesting.
Using ‘that’ in Spanish as a demonstrative adjective or demonstrative pronoun
“That” can be used as a demonstrative adjective or pronoun to point out specific nouns.
When used as a demonstrative adjective, a common type of Spanish adjective, “that” describes a noun by indicating its proximity to the speaker. Combine demonstrative adjectives with names for family members, clothing items, and other Spanish words, and you’ll be able to point out specific people and everyday objects in relation to you.
When using “that” in sentences, you’ll want to understand the difference between demonstrative adjectives and demonstrative pronouns. Remember that Spanish adjectives modify nouns, while Spanish pronouns replace them. So, to refer to a noun that’s already been mentioned, use the pronoun in place of the noun.
Ese
Ese translates as “that” to refer to a singular, masculine object or person that is not far from the speaker.
- Ese hombre es muy alto. = That man is very tall.
- Ese es mi abrigo. = That is my coat.
Esa
You’ll want to change ese to esa to refer to a singular, feminine object or person that is not far from the person speaking.
- Quiero esa bufanda. = I want that scarf.
- Esa es una toronja, no una naranja. = That’s a grapefruit, not an orange.
Aquel
Aquel translates as “that” (over there) to refer to a singular, masculine object or person that is further away from the speaker.
- ¿Ves aquel árbol? = Do you see that tree?
- Aquel de allá es tu carro, ¿no? = That over there is your car, right?
Aquella
You’ll use aquella to refer to a singular, feminine object or person that is at a greater distance from the person speaking.
- Mira aquella mujer. = Look at that woman over there.
- ¿Cuál es tu madre? ¿Aquella de allá? = Which one is your mother? That one over there?
How to use a neuter demonstrative pronoun for ‘that’
If you want to point out a specific object by saying “that” but you don’t know whether it’s masculine or feminine, you’ll use a neuter demonstrative pronoun.
Eso
Eso translates to “that” when referring to a general concept, situation, or object without a specific gender and of moderate distance from the speaker.
- Eso es lo que quería decir. = That’s what I wanted to say.
- Dame eso. = Give me that.
Aquello
Aquello translates to “that (over there)” and refers to a general situation or an object at a greater distance from the speaker. It is used when the gender is unknown and the speaker wants to emphasize that it is far away.
- Trae todo aquello. = Bring all of that.
- ¿Me pasas aquello de allá? = Can you hand me that over there?
All these different ways to say “that” in Spanish can seem overwhelming, but don’t let it hold you back! Making mistakes is part of the process, and even if you use ese instead of esa or eso instead of aquel, you will get your point across.
0 Commentaires