Spanish demonstratives, typically used to point out objects in space, also have a special way of expressing time concepts. This article explores how “este,” “ese,” and “aquel” can be used to talk about different time periods, adding depth and accuracy to temporal expressions in Spanish.
Overview
- Este: Refers to the current or immediate time period.
- Ese: Indicates a recent past or near future.
- Aquel: Denotes a distant past.
Detailed Explanation
1. Este (This)
“Este” is used when talking about the present or current time period. It includes the exact moment you’re in or an ongoing period of time that includes the present.
Examples:
- Este año (This year)
- Este mes (This month)
- Esta semana (This week)
- Esta época (This era/time)
2. Ese (That)
“Ese” points to a time period in the recent past or near future. It’s close to the present, but not as immediate as “este.”
Examples:
- Esa semana (That week – referring to a week that just passed or is coming up soon)
- Ese día (That day – a day not too long ago or in the near future)
- Esa temporada (That season – a season that recently ended or is about to start)
3. Aquel (That – distant)
“Aquel” refers to the distant past. It implies a significant amount of time has passed since then, often giving a feeling of nostalgia or historical context.
Examples:
- Aquellos tiempos (Those times long ago)
- Aquel año (That year – referring to a year far in the past)
- Aquella época (That era – a long-gone era)
Contextual Usage
The choice between “ese” and “aquel” can sometimes depend on the speaker’s own view of time and the situation. What one person sees as recent, another might see as distant.
Example:
- “En ese verano de 2024…” (In that summer of 2024…) – If 2024 feels relatively recent to the speaker.
- “En aquel verano de 1910…” (In that summer of 1910…) – If 1910 feels like a long time ago to the speaker.
Conclusion
The temporal use of demonstratives in Spanish provides a nuanced way to express time relationships. By using “este,” “ese,” and “aquel,” speakers can convey not only when something happened, but also their perception of how close or distant it is to the present. This adds a layer of detail and personal perspective to temporal expressions in Spanish.