este libro
/este libɾo/from spelling rules
The English phrase "this book" is translated into Spanish as este libro.
este libro is used to refer to a specific book that is close to the speaker.
Which one should you use?
While este libro refers to a book close to the speaker, ese libro is used to refer to a book that is closer to the listener or slightly further away.
How does it change in a sentence?
The demonstrative este must agree with the noun libro in both gender (masculine) and number (singular).
How do you pronounce it?
/este libɾo/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Do not say esta libro. English speakers sometimes mistakenly use the feminine demonstrative esta because they do not realize that libro is a masculine noun.
Did you know?
- The word libro comes from the Latin liber, which originally referred to the inner bark of a tree used as a writing surface.
- Spanish has a unique way of referring to the physical parts of este libro using the word hoja, which means both 'leaf' of a tree and 'page' of a book.
- In some Spanish-speaking regions, speakers use ese libro to refer to a book they are currently holding, which contradicts the strict distance rules taught in textbooks.
Examples in context
- Me dio este libro.He gave me this book.This sentence is useful for showing how to use este libro as an object.Tatoeba #10839592 by JSKabylie, translation #297484 by CK
- Este libro es suyo.This book is hers.This sentence shows how to use este libro as the subject of a sentence.Tatoeba #558426 by Shishir, translation #56864 by CK
- No tengo este libro.I don't have this book.This sentence shows how to use este libro in a negative statement.Tatoeba #532801 by Shishir, translation #397399 by sysko
- ¿Podría recomendarme algún libro? Este libro que tengo en mis manos es excelente.Could you recommend some book to me? This book that I have in my hands is excellent.
- Me gustaría adquirir este ejemplar del libro que ustedes publicaron.I would like to acquire this copy of the book that you published.
- ¡Mira, este libro está realmente genial! Deberías leerlo.Look, this book is really great! You should read it.
- ¡Oye, te presto este librito de cuentos! Seguro que te encantará.Hey, I'll lend you this little book of stories! I'm sure you'll love it.
- Ven, mira este librocito que acabo de comprar. ¡Es adorable!Come, look at this little book I just bought. It's adorable!
- ¡Agarra este librito por acá, está buenísimo!Grab this little book around here, it's great!
- 462 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Mateo and María are in a library.
- Mateo¿Has leído este libro, María?Have you read this book, María?
- MaríaNo, todavía no he leído este libro.No, I haven't read this book yet.
- MateoEs fantástico, deberías leerlo.It is fantastic, you should read it.
- MaríaGracias por la recomendación, Mateo.Thanks for the recommendation, Mateo.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries este, libro, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
