Ever been traveling abroad and found yourself speechless, desperately wishing you knew the right phrase to order a coffee, ask for directions, or simply express your gratitude? That feeling of being disconnected and unable to communicate can be frustrating and isolating. Spanish, spoken by over 500 million people worldwide, opens doors to vibrant cultures, delicious cuisine, and meaningful connections. Learning even basic phrases can dramatically enhance your travel experiences, build relationships with native speakers, and broaden your understanding of the world.
Knowing how to say key phrases in Spanish isn’t just about memorization; it’s about unlocking a new level of cultural understanding and personal empowerment. It allows you to navigate unfamiliar situations with confidence, engage in spontaneous conversations, and truly immerse yourself in the local atmosphere. Whether you’re planning a trip to Spain, Latin America, or simply want to connect with Spanish speakers in your own community, having a repertoire of essential phrases will make all the difference.
What are some must-know Spanish phrases and how can I learn them quickly?
How do you say “that” in Spanish?
The Spanish translation of “that” depends on its function in the sentence. It can be translated as *que*, *ese*, *esa*, *eso*, *aquel*, *aquella*, or *aquello*, among others. The specific word you choose depends on whether “that” is being used as a conjunction, a demonstrative adjective, or a demonstrative pronoun, and also on the gender and number of the noun it refers to or modifies. Deciding between these options requires careful consideration of the sentence’s structure and meaning.
When “that” introduces a clause (e.g., “I know *that* she is coming”), it’s typically translated as *que*. This is the most common use of “that” and the most frequent translation in Spanish. For example, “I know that she is coming” translates to “Sé *que* ella viene.” *Que* functions as a conjunction, connecting the main clause (“Sé”) to the subordinate clause (“ella viene”). When “that” refers to a specific object or person, acting as a demonstrative adjective or pronoun, the translation changes. *Ese*, *esa*, and *eso* (and their plural forms *esos* and *esas*) refer to “that” which is relatively near in distance or time. *Aquel*, *aquella*, and *aquello* (and their plural forms *aquellos* and *aquellas*) refer to “that” which is further away. The gender (masculine or feminine) and number (singular or plural) must agree with the noun being referenced. For example, “that car” (near) would be “ese coche,” and “that car” (far) would be “aquel coche.” Consider also: “I want that one” (near, masculine) becomes “Quiero ése;” (near, feminine) becomes “Quiero ésa;” (far, masculine) becomes “Quiero aquél;” and (far, feminine) becomes “Quiero aquélla.”
What are some common ways to say “that” in Spanish, depending on context?
The Spanish translation of “that” varies significantly depending on its function in the sentence. The most common translations are “que,” “eso,” “ese/esa/eso,” and “aquel/aquella/aquello.” “Que” is a relative pronoun or conjunction meaning “that” in the sense of “which” or introducing a clause. “Eso” is a neuter demonstrative pronoun meaning “that” as a general idea or concept. “Ese/esa/eso” (and its plural forms) are demonstrative adjectives or pronouns meaning “that” referring to something near the listener, while “aquel/aquella/aquello” (and its plural forms) mean “that” referring to something further away from both the speaker and listener.
The choice between “ese/esa/eso” and “aquel/aquella/aquello” depends on the proximity of the object being referred to. “Ese/esa/eso” implies the object is closer to the listener than the speaker, or at least not particularly close to the speaker. For instance, “Ese coche es rojo” means “That car (over there, near you) is red.” Conversely, “Aquel coche es rojo” means “That car (way over there, further from both of us) is red.” In Latin America, “ese/esa/eso” is often used for both situations, making “aquel/aquella/aquello” less common. Furthermore, “que” is incredibly versatile. It’s used as a relative pronoun to connect clauses (“The book *that* I read was interesting” - “El libro *que* leí era interesante”), and as a conjunction to introduce subordinate clauses (“I think *that* it will rain” - “Pienso *que* va a llover”). Understanding these different uses and choosing the correct translation is essential for accurate and natural Spanish communication. Remember to consider the noun’s gender and number when using the demonstrative adjectives/pronouns “ese/esa/eso” and “aquel/aquella/aquello” to ensure grammatical agreement.
How do I know when to use “ese,” “esa,” “aquel,” or “aquella” for “that”?
The choice between “ese,” “esa,” “aquel,” and “aquella” for “that” in Spanish depends on two key factors: the gender and number of the noun you’re referring to, and the relative distance of that noun from the speaker. “Ese” and “esa” refer to nouns that are closer to the listener than the speaker, while “aquel” and “aquella” refer to nouns that are further away from both the speaker and the listener. Remember to match the gender: “ese” and “aquel” are masculine, and “esa” and “aquella” are feminine.
When determining which form to use, consider the context of the conversation. Imagine you and a friend are looking at two cars. If you’re pointing to the car closer to your friend and saying “that car,” you would use “ese” (if the car is masculine, “el coche”) or “esa” (if the car is feminine, “la camioneta”). So, you would say “ese coche” or “esa camioneta.” If you’re referring to a car parked further away from both of you, you’d use “aquel” or “aquella” instead: “aquel coche” or “aquella camioneta”. It’s also important to note that the distinction in distance between “ese/esa” and “aquel/aquella” can be somewhat subjective and context-dependent. In some cases, especially when there is no clear difference in distance, “ese/esa” can be used more generally for “that”. However, using “aquel/aquella” emphasizes a greater distance or separation. With practice and exposure to the language, you’ll develop a better feel for when each form is most appropriate.
Can you give me examples of how to say “that” in different sentences?
The word “that” has several translations in Spanish, primarily depending on its grammatical function in the sentence. The most common translations are “que,” “ese/esa/eso,” “aquel/aquella/aquello,” and “eso.” Selecting the correct translation requires understanding whether “that” is functioning as a relative pronoun, demonstrative adjective, demonstrative pronoun, or conjunction.
The most frequent translation is “que,” used as a relative pronoun (connecting clauses) or a conjunction (introducing a subordinate clause). For example, “The book that I read was interesting” translates to “El libro *que* leí fue interesante.” Here, “que” connects the main clause “El libro fue interesante” with the relative clause “que leí.” As a conjunction, consider “I know that you are tired,” which translates to “Sé *que* estás cansado.” In this case, “que” introduces the subordinate clause “estás cansado.” “Ese/esa/eso” and “aquel/aquella/aquello” are demonstrative adjectives and pronouns, indicating proximity. “Ese/esa/eso” refers to something relatively near, while “aquel/aquella/aquello” refers to something further away. “That car is mine” could be either “Ese coche es mío” (if the car is close by) or “Aquel coche es mío” (if the car is further away). The gender and number of the noun it modifies will dictate whether you choose *ese* (masculine singular), *esa* (feminine singular), or *eso* (neuter). “Eso” on its own can also mean “that” as a neuter pronoun, like in “That is good” - “Eso es bueno”.
| English | Spanish | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| The house that I bought | La casa que compré | “That” as a relative pronoun |
| That woman is my mother. | Esa mujer es mi madre. | “That” as a demonstrative adjective (near). |
| That over there is my old school. | Aquello de allá es mi antigua escuela. | “That” as a demonstrative pronoun (far). |
| I believe that he is right. | Creo que él tiene razón. | “That” as a conjunction. |
What’s the difference between “que” and using demonstrative pronouns to say “that”?
The key difference lies in their function: “que” is a relative pronoun or a conjunction that connects clauses, translating to “that,” “which,” or “who” and it *never* carries an accent mark. Demonstrative pronouns (like *este, ese, aquel* and their feminine and plural forms) stand alone and refer to a specific noun, translating to “this,” “that,” or “that one” and they can sometimes carry an accent mark (*ése, ésa, aquél, aquélla*, etc.) to distinguish them from demonstrative adjectives.
“Que” introduces subordinate clauses and links them to the main clause. It can act as a subject, object, or part of a prepositional phrase within the subordinate clause. For example, “El libro *que* compré es interesante” (The book *that* I bought is interesting). Here, “que” links the clause “que compré” to “El libro es interesante.” The word *que* does *not* replace the noun, “el libro,” it simply connects the clauses. Demonstrative pronouns, on the other hand, replace a noun that has already been mentioned or is understood from the context. They indicate proximity to the speaker (este/esta), proximity to the listener (ese/esa), or distance from both (aquel/aquella). For instance, if you’re choosing between two shirts, you might say “*Éste* me gusta más que *ése*” (I like *this one* more than *that one*). Here, *éste* and *ése* stand in for the nouns “shirt” without repeating the word. The accent is crucial here to show they are pronouns, not adjectives. Consider this simple example. Imagine you have two cars, one near you and one far away. You might say: “*Este* coche es mío, pero *aquél* es de mi hermano.” (*This* car is mine, but *that one* is my brother’s.) Now imagine you are saying “I hope that the car is mine.” In that case, you would say “Espero *que* el coche sea mío.”
Is there a regional difference in how people say “that” in Spanish?
Yes, there are regional differences in how people say “that” in Spanish, primarily in the choice between the demonstrative adjectives/pronouns *ese/esa* and *aquel/aquella* (and their plural forms). The key distinction lies in the perceived distance of the object or concept being referred to.
While the standard Spanish grammar dictates *este/esta* (this) for things close to the speaker, *ese/esa* (that) for things farther from the speaker but closer to the listener, and *aquel/aquella* (that over there) for things far from both, this distinction isn’t always strictly followed. In many Latin American countries, particularly in everyday speech, *ese/esa* is frequently used for both “that” and “that over there,” effectively collapsing the two more distant categories into one. This simplifies the system. Conversely, in some regions of Spain, particularly in more formal settings or among older speakers, there’s a stronger adherence to the three-way distinction. Using *aquel/aquella* when something is truly distant is more common. Using *ese/esa* when *aquel/aquella* is arguably more appropriate might be noticed and considered less precise. The nuances of distance (both physical and metaphorical) can also influence the choice. For example, referring to a past event only slightly removed might warrant *ese*, while a more distant historical event may warrant *aquel*. Ultimately, while *ese/esa* will generally be understood throughout the Spanish-speaking world, being aware of the regional preferences and grammatical nuances can help you communicate more effectively and avoid potential misunderstandings or perceived awkwardness.
How would you say “like that” in Spanish?
The most common and versatile way to say “like that” in Spanish is “así.” However, depending on the context, other options like “de esa manera,” “de ese modo,” or “de esta forma” might be more appropriate to convey nuances in meaning.
The choice between these options often depends on the specific situation. “Así” is the most general and can be used in most cases to indicate a manner or way of doing something. For instance, “Hazlo así” means “Do it like that.” When you want to be more specific or formal, “de esa manera” (of that manner) or “de ese modo” (of that way) can be used, especially when referring to a previously mentioned action or description. The phrase “de esta forma” (of this form) is similar but implies a more structured or defined method, and often refers to something that is about to be explained. Consider these examples: If someone is showing you how to fold a paper airplane, they might say “Así es como se hace” (“This is how it’s done,” literally “Like that is how it’s done.”) If you were discussing a complex situation, you could say, “No quiero que las cosas sucedan de esa manera” (“I don’t want things to happen like that”). Ultimately, “así” remains your safest and most universally understood translation.
And there you have it! Hopefully, this little guide has helped you unlock a few new phrases and boosted your confidence to speak Spanish. Thanks for reading, and don’t be a stranger – come back soon for more tips and tricks to conquer the Spanish language!