How to Say “That One” in Spanish | Quick Grammar Guide

Spanish handles pointing at things differently than English. In English, you simply say “that one” regardless of whether the item is across the table or across the street. Spanish speakers split this concept into two distinct categories based on physical distance. You must also account for the gender of the item you are indicating. Mastering this small distinction helps you sound natural and clear when shopping, ordering food, or giving directions.

Understanding Spanish Demonstratives

Before you learn the specific words for “that one,” you need to grasp the logic behind Spanish demonstratives. English relies on a two-distance system: “this” (near) and “that” (far). Spanish uses a three-distance system. This adds a layer of precision to everyday speech.

• Near the speaker: Equivalent to “this” (Este/Esta).
• Near the listener: Equivalent to “that” or “that one” (Ese/Esa).
• Far from both: Equivalent to “that one over there” (Aquel/Aquella).

When you want to translate “that one,” you generally fall into the second or third category. You are pointing at something that is not in your hands. If the object is close to the person you are talking to, you use the ese family. If the object is far away from both of you, you use the aquel family.

Gender Agreement Basics

Every noun in Spanish has a gender. The word you choose for “that one” must match the gender of the thing you are replacing. If you point at a car (el coche, masculine), you use a masculine pronoun. If you point at a table (la mesa, feminine), you use a feminine pronoun.

Quick check: Always identify the noun first. Mentalizing the noun’s gender ensures you pick the right form of “that one” instantly.

How to Say “That One” in Spanish – The Core Rules

The translation depends entirely on context. You cannot learn a single word for “that one” and apply it everywhere. You must observe where the object sits relative to you and the listener.

Use Ese or Esa when:

• Medium distance: The object is somewhat near, or specifically near the person you are speaking with.
• Context: You might say, “Pass me that one” referring to a pen on the listener’s desk.

Use Aquel or Aquella when:

• Long distance: The object is far from both the speaker and the listener.
• Context: You point at a building down the street and say, “I live in that one.”

Pronouns vs. Adjectives

In the past, Spanish grammar rules required an accent mark (tilde) on these words when used as pronouns (e.g., ése) to distinguish them from adjectives (e.g., ese libro). The Royal Spanish Academy (RAE) updated this rule in 2010. Now, the accent is not necessary unless the sentence is ambiguous. Most modern texts omit the accent. “That one” is simply ese or aquel functioning as a noun replacement.

Using “Ese” and “Esa” for Medium Distance

The most common translation for “that one” involves the ese forms. You use these forms when the object is within reach of the listener or just a short distance away. It suggests intimacy or proximity within a shared space.

The Masculine Form: Ese

Use ese when referring to a singular masculine noun. Common masculine endings include -o, -or, or -ma (in Greek-origin words like problema).

Examples:

• Situation: You are at a bakery looking at cakes (el pastel).
• Phrase:Quiero ese. (I want that one.)

• Situation: Discussing books (el libro) on a friend’s shelf.
• Phrase:¿Has leído ese? (Have you read that one?)

The Feminine Form: Esa

Use esa when referring to a singular feminine noun. These usually end in -a, -ción, or -dad.

Examples:

• Situation: Pointing to a shirt (la camisa) your friend is holding.
• Phrase:Me gusta esa. (I like that one.)

• Situation: Choosing a chair (la silla) at a table.
• Phrase:Prefiero esa. (I prefer that one.)

Using “Aquel” and “Aquella” for Far Away Objects

When an object sits far away from the conversation, ese and esa lose their accuracy. You need to project distance. English speakers usually add “over there” to convey this, but Spanish builds it into the word itself using aquel and aquella.

The Masculine Form: Aquel

Use aquel for singular masculine nouns located at a significant distance. This could be across the street, on a distant hill, or simply on the far side of a large room.

Examples:

• Situation: Pointing at a car (el coche) down the block.
• Phrase:Mira aquel. (Look at that one over there.)

• Situation: Identifying a distant tree (el árbol).
• Phrase:Aquel es un roble. (That one over there is an oak.)

The Feminine Form: Aquella

Use aquella for singular feminine nouns at a distance. It follows the same distance logic as aquel.

Examples:

• Situation: Pointing to a house (la casa) on a hill.
• Phrase:Aquella es mi casa. (That one over there is my house.)

• Situation: Spotting a star (la estrella) in the sky.
• Phrase:¿Ves aquella? (Do you see that one?)

The Neutral Forms: Eso and Aquello

Learners often confuse ese with eso. This distinction is vital for accuracy. You use neutral forms when you refer to an abstract idea, a situation, or an unidentified object.

Rule of thumb: If you cannot name the noun or gender, use the neutral form. However, “neutral” does not mean “that one” in the specific sense of choosing from a group. It usually translates to just “that.”

• Eso: That thing / That situation (near listener).
  Eso es interesante. (That is interesting.)
• Aquello: That thing / That situation (far away).
  Aquello fue un desastre. (That [event/situation] was a disaster.)

Warning: Never use eso or aquello to refer to a specific person or gendered object if you know what it is. If you point at a specific male dog and say “Quiero eso,” it sounds like “I want that thing” rather than “I want that one.”

Common Mistakes When Using Spanish Demonstratives

Errors with demonstratives happen frequently because English rules are looser. Watch out for these pitfalls to sharpen your grammar skills.

Confusing “Este” and “Ese”

Beginners often overuse este (this one) because it sounds like the start of “estimate” or simply feels familiar. Remember the specific zone of the object. If you have to extend your arm to point at it, it is likely ese, not este.

Ignoring the Gender of “El Agua”

Nouns starting with a stressed “a” sound, like agua (water), take the masculine article el but remain feminine nouns. This trips up many students.

• Correct:Dame esa agua. (Give me that water.)
• Incorrect:Dame ese agua.

Mixing Up Adjectives and Pronouns

While the spelling is identical (mostly), the sentence structure changes. An adjective needs a noun; a pronoun stands alone.

• Adjective:Quiero ese libro. (I want that book.)
• Pronoun:Quiero ese. (I want that one.)

If you keep the noun in the sentence, you are not saying “that one.” You are just saying “that [noun].”

Practical Scenarios: Shopping and Dining

The most valuable place to use these phrases is in a market or restaurant. You constantly need to specify choices.

At the Bakery

Imagine a glass display case full of pastries. You want a specific donut.

• Step 1: Identify the gender. Donut is la rosquilla (feminine) or el dónut (masculine). Let’s use el dónut.
• Step 2: Determine distance. It is behind the glass, near the server.
• Result:Me pone ese, por favor. (Give me that one, please.)

At a Clothing Store

You see a shirt on a high shelf behind the counter.

• Step 1: Shirt is la camiseta (feminine).
• Step 2: Distance is far (high up, out of reach).
• Result:¿Me puede bajar aquella? (Can you take down that one over there?)

Plural Forms: “Those Ones”

While discussing “that one,” you naturally encounter “those ones.” The logic remains identical, but the endings change to indicate plurality.

English	Spanish Masculine	Spanish Feminine	Distance
These ones	Estos	Estas	Near Speaker
Those ones	Esos	Esas	Near Listener
Those over there	Aquellos	Aquellas	Far Away

Note: The masculine plural of ese is esos, not “eses.” Similarly, este becomes estos. This vowel shift is a standard irregular pattern in demonstratives.

Regional Differences in Usage

Spanish is spoken across many countries, and usage nuances exist. In some regions, the distinction between ese and aquel is strictly observed. In colloquial speech in parts of Latin America, speakers might default to ese for almost everything that isn’t immediately in their hands, reserving aquel for very distant or poetic contexts.

However, understanding the standard three-tier system ensures you are understood everywhere from Madrid to Mexico City.

Drills to Master “That One”

Active practice solidifies these rules. Try translating these mental scenarios to test your recall.

Scenario A: You point to a specific apple (la manzana) in a fruit bowl near your friend.

• Answer:Esa. (Feminine, near listener).

Scenario B: You point to a mountain (la montaña) on the horizon.

• Answer:Aquella. (Feminine, far distance).

Scenario C: You point to a hat (el sombrero) the shopkeeper is holding.

• Answer:Ese. (Masculine, near listener).

Key Takeaways: How to Say “That One” in Spanish

➤ Distance matters — Use ese/esa for objects near the listener and aquel/aquella for far objects.

➤ Check the gender — Match the pronoun to the noun’s gender (masculine or feminine) every time.

➤ Watch the vowels — Masculine plurals end in -os (esos, aquellos), not -es.

➤ Avoid accents — Modern rules usually omit the accent mark on these pronouns unless ambiguous.

➤ Neutral usage — Use eso or aquello only for abstract ideas or unidentified objects.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between ese and eso?

Ese is a masculine pronoun referring to a specific male noun (e.g., “that one” referring to a car). Eso is a neutral pronoun used for abstract ideas, situations, or unknown objects (e.g., “that” referring to a noise or event). Never use eso for a person.

Can I use “aquel” for time?

Yes. Aquel often appears in phrases referring to the distant past. For instance, en aquel tiempo translates to “at that time” or “in those days.” It emphasizes that the time period is far removed from the present moment.

Do I need to put an accent mark on ése?

No. Since the 2010 spelling reforms by the RAE, the accent mark (tilde) on demonstrative pronouns like ése or aquélla is no longer required or recommended. You might still see it in older books, but you should write them without accents today.

How do I say “this one” in Spanish?

To say “this one,” use este for masculine nouns and esta for feminine nouns. Use these forms when the object is within your physical reach or directly connected to you. The neutral form for “this” abstract concept is esto.

Is “aquell” a word in Spanish?

No, aquell is not a word. The masculine singular is aquel (ending in L), and the masculine plural is aquellos. The feminine forms are aquella and aquellas. Beginners often try to add an ‘o’ to the singular (aquello) but that turns it into the neutral form.

Wrapping It Up – How to Say “That One” in Spanish

Learning how to say “that one” in Spanish opens up a new level of precision in your communication. By distinguishing between ese (that one near you) and aquel (that one over there), you navigate physical space like a native speaker. Remember to pair the distance with the correct gender, and you will eliminate ambiguity from your conversations.

Start practicing by pointing at objects in your room. Ask yourself if they are “this,” “that,” or “that over there,” and assign the correct Spanish label. With repetition, choosing between esa and aquella becomes automatic.