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esto

pronounBeginnerHigh frequency

What does “esto” mean in English?

  1. this

    this (neutral demonstrative pronoun)

Example sentences

  • Esto es importante.

    This is important.

  • ¿Qué es esto?

    What is this?

How to use it

Esto means 'this' when pointing to an idea, situation, or thing without naming its gender. It is useful for object identification and clarification.

Common mistake

Esto is neutral. If you put the word before a specific noun, Spanish usually needs este or esta instead.

Topics

Related Beginner words

Reference

This entry’s teaching guidance follows A New Reference Grammar of Modern Spanish (Butt, Benjamin & Moreira Rodríguez, Routledge), 7.