Learn How to Pronounce este | YouPronounce.it
How to Pronounce este
(Listen to the audio below for the stress and intonation)
Meaning and Context
In Spanish grammar, the term este serves as a fundamental demonstrative adjective and pronoun, specifically the masculine singular form meaning 'this.' It is used to indicate a noun that is close to the speaker in either physical space or time, such as este libro (this book) or este año (this year). As a cornerstone of the Spanish demonstratives system, it exists within a paradigm that includes esta (feminine singular), esto (neuter), estos (masculine plural), and estas (feminine plural), which are essential for basic Spanish grammar and achieving fluency. Historically, the accented form éste was used to distinguish the pronoun from the adjective, but following the 2010 Royal Spanish Academy (RAE) reforms, the accent is generally no longer required, a change that simplifies Spanish spelling rules but is important for learners to note. Additionally, as a masculine noun, este translates to 'east,' one of the cardinal directions in Spanish, making it a common term in both geographical contexts and everyday conversation. Mastery of its application, and the ability to differentiate it from the verb form esté (from estar), is crucial for clear communication in Spanish and avoiding common errors for Spanish language learners.
Common Mistakes and Alternative Spellings
The primary spelling considerations for este involve diacritical marks and homophones. The most significant historical distinction was between the adjective este (this) and the pronoun éste (this one). Prior to the 2010 orthographic reforms by the Royal Spanish Academy (RAE), the accent was used on demonstrative pronouns (éste, ése, aquél) to differentiate them from identical-looking adjectives. The current rule, however, states that the accent is only necessary in cases of genuine ambiguity, which are rare in context; thus, este is now the standard spelling for both functions. Common typos or confusions arise from its homophones: the verb form esté (the present subjunctive of estar, as in Espero que él esté bien), which carries an accent, and the noun Este (capitalized, referring to the Italian noble family or the city). Learners often mistakenly write "esta" when referring to a masculine noun (e.g., esta hombre instead of este hombre) or incorrectly use "esto" as an adjective (e.g., esto libro). Awareness of these distinctions is key to accurate Spanish writing and spelling.
Example Sentences
When pointing to a nearby object, you would say, "Este bolígrafo no tiene tinta" (This pen has no ink).
To answer a question about preference, you might use it as a pronoun: "¿Cuál coche prefieres? — Prefiero este" (Which car do you prefer? — I prefer this one).
In a geographical sense, one could note, "El sol sale por el este cada mañana" (The sun rises in the east every morning).
Contrasting it with its verbal homophone, a correct sentence is, "Es importante que el clima esté estable para el viaje" (It is important that the weather be stable for the trip).
Finally, demonstrating its use in a temporal context: "Este fin de semana vamos al cine" (This weekend we are going to the movies).