Learning how to say what is that in Spanish goes beyond translating words literally. Depending on what you are pointing at, who you are talking to, and where you are in the Spanish-speaking world, your choice of words shifts. Getting it right helps you sound natural and avoids awkward misunderstandings when you explore a new country or chat with native speakers.
The most direct and common translation is ¿Qué es eso? But if you want to sound like a local, you need to understand demonstrative pronouns, regional slang, and the difference between pointing at an object versus asking about an abstract situation. Let's break down the exact phrases, grammar rules, and cultural nuances you need to master this simple concept completely.
The Core Translations: ¿Qué es eso? vs. ¿Qué es aquello?
In English, you usually rely on the word "that" for anything out of arms reach. Spanish requires a bit more precision. Spanish has three levels of demonstrative pronouns based on distance from the speaker and listener: este (this - close to me), ese (that - close to you), and aquel (that over there - far from both of us).
When you ask what is that in Spanish, you choose between eso and aquello.
Using ¿Qué es eso?
¿Qué es eso? translates to "What is that?" and is your go-to phrase for almost every situation. You use eso when the object you are pointing at is closer to the person you are talking to, or when you are talking about something that was just mentioned in conversation.
For example, if your friend is holding a strange tool and you want to know what it is, you point and ask:
- "¿Qué es eso que tienes en la mano?" (What is that you have in your hand?)
Using ¿Qué es aquello?
¿Qué es aquello? also means "What is that?", but it refers to something much further away—something neither you nor your listener is touching or standing right next to.
Imagine you are standing on a balcony, looking out at a distant horizon, and you spot an unusual structure. You would ask:
- "¿Qué es aquello en el horizonte?" (What is that [far away] on the horizon?)
Using aquello shows a high level of grammatical fluency because most beginners default to eso for everything.
Changing It Up: Plural and Gender Variations
Just like English shifts from "that" to "those," Spanish changes its demonstratives to match plural nouns. If you are pointing at multiple objects, you have to adjust your phrasing.
- ¿Qué son esos? (What are those? - masculine plural)
- ¿Qué son esas? (What are those? - feminine plural)
Notice the verb changes from es (is) to son (are), and the pronoun shifts to match the gender and number of the objects. If you see a pile of strange fruits at a market in Madrid, you would ask:
- "¿Qué son estas frutas?" or simply point and ask "¿Qué son esas?"
For a deeper look into how demonstrative pronouns function across different dialects, check out the Real Academia Española grammar guides.
Regional Variations: How Spanish Varies by Country
Language doesn't exist in a vacuum. If you travel from Mexico to Argentina, or Spain to Colombia, the way people point out objects and ask questions can change subtly. While ¿Qué es eso? is universally understood everywhere, locals often use specific slang or shorthand.
Mexico and Central America
In Mexico, people frequently use eso in conversation, but you will also hear colloquial fillers. If someone doesn't quite catch what you are pointing at, they might reply with ¿Mande? instead of ¿Cómo? (What?). When asking about an object right next to someone, locals might shorten expressions or use immediate pointing gestures accompanied by ¿Qué es esto? even if it's slightly closer to the listener.
The Caribbean (Cuba, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic)
In countries like Cuba or the Dominican Republic, speech is fast, and consonants at the ends of words often soften or drop out. While ¿Qué es eso? remains grammatically correct, you might hear it slurred together in rapid conversation. Additionally, locals might substitute eso with local demonstrative habits, though standard textbook Spanish is always understood in tourism and business settings.
The Southern Cone (Argentina, Uruguay, Chile)
In Argentina and Uruguay, the voseo form dominates pronoun usage, though it doesn't heavily alter standard demonstrative pronouns like eso or aquello. However, vocabulary for everyday objects changes dramatically. If you ask ¿Qué es eso? about a specific food or tool, the noun that follows will often be entirely unique to the region compared to what you learned in standard Spanish classes. You can explore more about regional Spanish differences via the Instituto Cervantes.
Context Matters: Physical Objects vs. Abstract Ideas
Another major nuance is deciding whether you are asking about a physical item you can touch or an abstract concept someone just explained to you.
Pointing at Physical Objects
When you see a physical item—a bug on the wall, a tool on a table, a building across the street—you use eso or aquello.
- Scenario: You are walking through a botanical garden and see a bizarre plant. You turn to your guide and ask: "¿Qué es eso?"
Discussing Abstract Situations or Actions
Sometimes "that" doesn't refer to a physical noun. It refers to a situation, a sound you heard, or something someone just said. In these cases, Spanish speakers still rely on eso.
- Scenario: Your colleague sighs heavily and looks stressed. You want to ask what's wrong with the situation. You might ask: "¿Qué es eso?" or more commonly, "¿Qué pasa?" (What's happening?).
- Scenario: You hear a weird noise coming from the engine of your car. You turn to the driver and ask: "¿Qué fue eso?" (What was that?). Note the use of fue (past tense) instead of es (present tense) because the event just happened.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Language learners often make a few predictable errors when trying to master demonstratives. Avoiding these mistakes will instantly elevate your communication.
1. Mixing Up Este, Ese, and Aquel
The biggest trap is using este (this) when you mean ese (that). Remember the spatial rule:
- Este = close to you (the speaker)
- Ese = close to the person listening
- Aquel = far from both of you
If you hold an apple and ask "¿Qué es eso?", native speakers might look confused because the apple is right in your hand—you should have asked "¿Qué es esto?".
2. Forgetting Agreement in Plural Forms
Don't use the singular eso when pointing at multiple items. If you see three strange bugs, asking "¿Qué es eso?" sounds grammatically jarring. Switch to the plural ¿Qué son esos?.
3. Overcomplicating Simple Questions
Many learners try to invent complex sentences when a simple phrase works best. You don't need fancy subordinate clauses to point at something. Keep it clean: point, smile, and ask ¿Qué es eso?.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between ¿Qué es eso? and ¿Qué es esto?
¿Qué es esto? means "What is this?" and is used when you are touching or holding the object, or when it is right next to you. ¿Qué es eso? means "What is that?" and is used when the object is closer to the person you are talking to or a short distance away.
How do I ask "What is that called?" in Spanish?
If you want to know the name of an object rather than just what it is, use the verb llamar (to call). You would ask: ¿Cómo se llama eso? (What is that called?) or ¿Cómo se llama esto? (What is this called?). This is often much more useful when shopping or exploring.
Can I use ¿Qué es eso? in formal situations?
Yes. ¿Qué es eso? is completely neutral. It is neither overly formal nor overly casual. You can use it with close friends, strangers on the street, or service workers without sounding rude.
Is "eso" masculine or neuter?
In this context, eso functions as a neuter demonstrative pronoun. It is used when you don't know the gender of the object yet, or when you are referring to a situation or an unspecified thing. Once you learn the noun, you match its specific gender.
