/ˈesto/
Translation
this (general/neuter)
Word origin
Neuter form from Latin istud, the neuter of the demonstrative iste ('this one'), used for ideas and unidentified things close to the speaker.
- Origin
- Latin
- Root
- istud
Examples
decirte.
This is the most important thing I have to tell you.
¿ ?
What is this that is on the table?
.
This cannot go on like this for much longer.
.
With this I think we have finished for today.
medieval.
This that you are seeing is a medieval village.
is the neuter demonstrative pronoun in Spanish, used for ideas, situations and unidentified objects close to the speaker. It is the counterpart of eso (mid-range) and aquello (far), and it sits alongside the gendered demonstratives este / esta rather than replacing them. The neuter form refuses to attach to a noun directly: say este libro (this book), never esto libro.
Reach for esto when you are pointing at a clause, a fact, or something whose gender you do not know yet: ¿Qué es esto? (What is this?), esto es increíble (this is incredible), con esto basta (this is enough). The form has no plural and no gender variants. Common fixed expressions include en esto (just then), por esto (because of this) and the conversational opener esto... used as a filler the way English uses "uh". See the Spanish demonstratives guide for the matched system.
Where this fits
Used in
Stories
(8)El camino a casa
2 min read · Core 1000
Lo mismo de siempre
2 min read · Core 1000
Lo que de verdad importa
3 min read · Core 5000
Lo que dijo el médico
3 min read · Core 5000
Media docena de huevos
3 min read · Core 5000
Menudo desastre
3 min read · Core 5000
Tú y tu hermano
3 min read · Core 5000
Una mañana en el mercado
3 min read · Core 1000
Grammar articles
(13)Spanish Advanced Grammar (C1-C2): The Constructions That Sound Native
Spanish Cleft Sentences and Emphasis: fue Pedro quien, lo que quiero es
How to Say Therefore, So and Because in Spanish: por lo tanto, así que, porque
Este or Esta? Matching Spanish Demonstratives to Gender and Number
Demonstrative Pronouns in Spanish: Este, Ese, Aquel and the Three-Way This and That
Spanish Demonstrative Adjectives: este, ese, aquel and the Three-Way Distance Split
Spanish Nosotros Commands: the 'Let's...' Form
Spanish Past Participles as Adjectives and Absolute Clauses (una puerta cerrada, terminada la reunión)
Por vs Para in Spanish: The Rules, a Chart, and a Practice Quiz
Spanish Question Words: qué, quién, cuándo, dónde, cómo, cuál, cuánto, por qué
Spanish Set Phrases with tener, dar, hacer, echar (tener ganas, echar de menos, hacer falta)
The Spanish Subjunctive in Relative (Adjective) Clauses, with Practice
Spanish Word Order: SVO, Pro-Drop and the Five Rules That Cover 90% of Sentences
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esto: worksheet, infographic and listicle
Free printable study downloads for the Spanish word "esto" (this (general/neuter)): a worksheet with the answer key built in, an infographic, and a sentence listicle. Open any one to view, print or save.
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