Pronouns: This & That

01

Modifying Nouns: Aquest & Aquell

When "this," "that," "these," or "those" come before a noun, they act as adjectives. In this case, you must use a form of aquest or aquell. These words must agree in gender and number with the noun they describe.

Forms for things nearby

• aquest (masculine singular)
• aquesta (feminine singular)
• aquests (masculine plural)
• aquestes (feminine plural)

• Aquest cotxe és ràpid.

  This car is fast.

• Aquesta casa és meva.

  This house is mine.

• Aquests dies fa molta calor.

  These days it's very hot.

• Totes aquestes cadires estan ocupades.

  All these chairs are occupied.

Forms for things far away

• aquell (masculine singular)
• aquella (feminine singular)
• aquells (masculine plural)
• aquelles (feminine plural)

• Aquell noi és el meu germà.

  That boy is my brother.

• Aquella botiga ven pa.

  That shop sells bread.

• Aquells arbres són molt alts.

  Those trees are very tall.

• M'agraden aquelles flors.

  I like those flowers.

02

Replacing Nouns: Aquest & Aquell

The same forms of aquest and aquell can also be used as pronouns to mean this one, that one, these ones, or those ones. They stand alone but still must agree in gender and number with the noun they are replacing.

• Quin llibre vols? Aquest o aquell?

  Which book do you want? This one or that one?

• La meva jaqueta és aquesta, no aquella.

  My jacket is this one, not that one.

• No m'agraden aquests, prefereixo aquells.

  I don't like these ones, I prefer those ones.

03

Neuter Pronouns: Això & Allò

When "this" or "that" refers to an abstract idea, a situation, or an unknown object, the neuter pronouns això (this) and allò (that) are used. These forms are invariable, meaning they do not change for gender or number.

Use això and allò when you are not referring to a specific, identifiable noun.

• Què és això?

  What is this?

• Això no m'agrada gens.

  I don't like this at all.

• Allò que vas dir ahir va ser molt interessant.

  That (thing) you said yesterday was very interesting.

• Recordes allò? Va ser increïble.

  Do you remember that? It was incredible.

04

A Note on 'Aqueix'

A third set of demonstratives exists: aqueix, aqueixa, aqueixos, aqueixes. Traditionally, these refer to something close to the person being spoken to, but not the speaker. However, in the Catalan spoken in Barcelona, these forms are very rare. Speakers will almost always use a form of aquest or aquell instead.

• Passa'm aqueix plat.

  Pass me that plate (near you).

In Barcelona, it is much more common to hear: Passa'm aquest plat.