Demonstratives: este/esta, esse/essa, aquele/aquela

Demonstratives are how you point without using your finger. You will need them the first time you want a pastel from behind glass, the first time somebody says something you agree with, and every single time you tell a story about back then. The catch: the traditional three-way distinction often overlaps in everyday Brazilian speech. Learn both the basic distinction and the common use of esse/isso, with context or place words, so you can follow formal texts and everyday conversations.

Three groups, with overlap in Brazil

That is the traditional spatial system. In everyday Brazilian Portuguese, esse often also does the work of este, and isso often replaces isto. The first two groups overlap, especially in speech, but this is a tendency rather than a compulsory two-way system.

Este and isto remain in use in both speech and writing. The three-way distinction is more often maintained in formal usage, so learn to recognise and use all three groups.

Out and about

• "Quanto custa esse aqui?" (How much is this one?)

• "Essa blusa combina com você." (That blouse suits you.)

• "Pode me mostrar aquela bolsa lá de cima?" (Can you show me that bag up there?)

• "Esses aí eu já provei." (I already tried those on.)

Reacting and agreeing

• "Essa foi boa!" (Good one!)

• "Essa não! Esqueci a chave." (Oh no! I forgot the key.)

• "É isso aí." (That's it. / Right on.)

• "Concordo com isso." (I agree with that.)

Isso for a whole statement; essa for a feminine noun

Without an understood feminine noun, use a neuter form to refer to the whole previous statement. The second example below needs an understood noun such as notícia or decisão:

• ✅ "Ela vai mudar de emprego. Isso me surpreendeu." (She's changing jobs. That surprised me.)

• ❌ "Ela vai mudar de emprego. Essa me surpreendeu."

Essa is only right when a feminine noun is hiding behind it: "Contei uma piada. Essa foi boa!" — essa = essa piada.

"Esse aqui" is not a mistake

The traditional spatial contrast pairs este livro aqui with esse livro aí. Esse livro aqui is also common in Brazilian Portuguese. Both este and esse can occur in speech and writing; context and register guide the choice.

Isto also occurs in speech

"O que é isso?" is a common everyday question, even when the thing is in your own hand. "O que é isto?" is also valid in speech; it can sound more formal or emphasise the thing nearby. Learn both forms.

The greeting Aquele abraço! was popular before Gilberto Gil’s song. It was a catchphrase of the TV comedian Lilico, whose catchphrase — Alô, alô, Realengo: aquele abraço! — was all over Brazilian television in 1968–69; locked in a barracks near Realengo after the AI-5 decree, Gil kept hearing the soldiers greet him with it and, cut off from television in there, took it for a genuine greeting. After his release from prison in February 1969, he built his samba around it; it became a farewell before his exile in July — which is exactly what the word does: aquele hug, the one nobody has to describe. Sources: Guia dos Curiosos · Instituto Gilberto Gil / Google Arts and Culture.