Understanding Portuguese Demonstratives
Demonstrative words in Portuguese help you indicate the location or identity of objects and people in relation to the speaker and listener. The main demonstratives are “este/esta/isto” (this), “esse/essa/isso” (that), and “aquele/aquela/aquilo” (that one over there). Each set has a specific context and grammatical rule.
What Does “Aquele” Mean?
“Aquele” is a demonstrative adjective or pronoun that means “that” or “that one (over there)” and is used to refer to something or someone that is far from both the speaker and the listener. It always agrees in gender and number with the noun it refers to:
- Aquele (masculine singular): Aquele carro é bonito. (That car over there is beautiful.)
- Aquela (feminine singular): Aquela casa é antiga. (That house over there is old.)
- Aqueles (masculine plural): Aqueles livros são interessantes. (Those books over there are interesting.)
- Aquelas (feminine plural): Aquelas flores são coloridas. (Those flowers over there are colorful.)
Notice how “aquele” and its variations are always followed by a noun or replace a noun that is understood from context.
What Does “Aquilo” Mean?
“Aquilo” is a demonstrative pronoun meaning “that” or “that thing (over there)”. Unlike “aquele”, “aquilo” is used when you are referring to an idea, a fact, or an object that is not specified by a noun. It is neutral, so it does not change for gender or number:
- O que é aquilo? (What is that over there?)
- Eu não entendi aquilo. (I didn’t understand that.)
“Aquilo” is used when you do not know or do not want to specify what you are talking about, or when the object has already been mentioned and is understood by both speaker and listener.
Main Differences Between “Aquele” and “Aquilo”
To make the distinction clearer, here are the key points to remember:
- “Aquele” (and its variations) is used with nouns or to specify which thing or person you are talking about. It changes form to match gender and number (aquele, aquela, aqueles, aquelas).
- “Aquilo” is neutral and used without a noun, referring to an unspecified thing, idea, or situation. It never changes form.
Examples to Compare
- Aquele prédio é novo. (That building over there is new.) [specific, with a noun]
- Você viu aquilo? (Did you see that [thing/incident over there]?) [unspecified, no noun]
- Gosto daquela música. (I like that song over there.)
- O que é aquilo? (What is that over there?)
Tips to Remember the Difference
- If you can name the object or person you are talking about, use aquele/aquela/aqueles/aquelas.
- If you are talking about something general, abstract, or unknown, use aquilo.
- “Aquilo” often appears in questions or statements about something not clearly identified.
Practice Makes Perfect
The best way to internalize the difference is through practice. Try making your own sentences, or use AI-powered platforms like Talkpal to get instant feedback and practice in real conversations. The more you use these words in context, the easier it will become to choose the right one automatically.
Conclusion
Distinguishing between “aquele” and “aquilo” is a common stumbling block for Portuguese learners, but with the guidelines and examples above, you now have a clear roadmap. Remember: “aquele” for specific, named things or people far away, and “aquilo” for unspecific or abstract references. Keep practicing with real-life situations and language tools like Talkpal, and you’ll soon use these demonstratives with confidence!
