este
this · east
Se usa para señalar algo que está cerca de la persona que habla.
Definition & meaning
The word este has two primary functions in Spanish:
- Demonstrative Determiner/Pronoun: It is the masculine singular form used to point to something that is physically close to the speaker. Depending on the context, it translates to "this" (when modifying a noun, e.g., "este libro" - this book) or "this one" (when acting as a pronoun, e.g., "Prefiero este" - I prefer this one).
- Cardinal Direction: It refers to the East, the compass direction where the sun rises.
Grammar & Word origin
Grammar:
- As a demonstrative, it must agree in gender and number with the noun it modifies. The feminine form is {esta} , the masculine plural is {estos} , and the feminine plural is {estas} .
- Note: Historically, it carried an accent mark ({éste} ) when used as a pronoun to distinguish it from the determiner. However, current Royal Spanish Academy (RAE) rules state that the accent is no longer required unless there is a risk of ambiguity.
- As a cardinal direction, it is a masculine noun and remains invariable.
Origin:
- The demonstrative comes from the Latin iste, meaning "that of yours" or "that near you," which shifted in Vulgar Latin and Old Spanish to designate proximity to the speaker.
- The direction "este" originates from the Old Northern French est, which traces back to the Proto-Germanic austraz, eventually linking to the Latin auster (south wind) or the Indo-European root meaning "dawn" or "east."
Synonyms & antonyms
As a demonstrative:
- Synonyms: {aquel} (that, further away), {ese} (that, nearby).
- Antonyms: {aquel} , {ese} (depending on the distance).
As a direction:
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Examples
Este libro es mi favorito.determiner
This book is my favorite.
Este coche es rápido.determiner
This car is fast.
Este parque es muy bonito.determiner
This park is very beautiful.
Este coche es azul.determiner
This car is blue.
Este perro es muy pequeño.determiner
This dog is very small.
Este es mi perro pequeño.pronoun
This is my small dog.
Este zapato es azul.determiner
This shoe is blue.
El sol sale por el este cada mañana.pronoun
The sun rises in the east every morning.
Viajo hacia el este en verano.pronoun
I travel toward the east in summer.
El este del país tiene montañas pequeñas.Word type unavailable
The east of the country has small mountains.
¿Puedes abrir este regalo ahora?Word type unavailable
Can you open this gift now?
Voy a leer este libro hoy.Word type unavailable
I am going to read this book today.
Pongo el vaso en el este del mapa.Word type unavailable
I put the glass on the east of the map.
El viaje al este fue muy tranquilo.Word type unavailable
The trip to the east was very calm.
Este libro está en la mesa.Word type unavailable
This book is on the table.
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