deste/desta/destes/destas

Contraction Deste

Level 2

Deste = de (of/from) + este (this). It is used to indicate possession, origin, or as a required complement for certain verbs when referring to something near the speaker.

How It Works

The contraction deste (and its variations) is formed by dropping the 'e' from the preposition de and attaching the 'd' to the demonstrative.

1. Gender and Number Agreement:
The contraction must match the noun it refers to:

  • Deste: Masculine singular (of/from this)
  • Desta: Feminine singular (of/from this)
  • Destes: Masculine plural (of/from these)
  • Destas: Feminine plural (of/from these)

2. Primary Uses:

  • Possession: 'O motor deste carro' (The engine of this car).
  • Origin: 'Eu sou desta cidade' (I am from this city).
  • Verbal Requirements: Verbs like gostar de (to like) or precisar de (to need) require the contraction. Example: 'Eu gosto destas flores' (I like these flowers).

3. Spatial Nuance and Contrast:
Use deste for objects physically close to you (the speaker) or for the current time period (e.g., desta vez). To become proficient in Portuguese, remember that deste contrasts with desse (near the listener) and daquele (far from both).

4. The Neutral Form: Disto
When referring to abstract ideas, situations, or objects you haven't named yet, use the neutral contraction disto (de + isto). Unlike deste, disto never changes for gender or number. Example: 'Eu não gosto disto' (I don't like this [situation/thing]).

Examples (5)

  1. Eu gosto muito deste livro que estou a ler.

    I really like this book that I am reading.

    Word by Word: I like much of-this book that I am to read.

    The verb 'gostar' requires 'de'. Since the book is in the speaker's hands, 'de' + 'este' becomes 'deste'.

  2. A cor desta blusa é muito bonita.

    The color of this blouse is very beautiful.

    Word by Word: The color of-this blouse is very beautiful.

    Here, 'desta' indicates possession/attribute of the feminine noun 'blusa'.

  3. Nós precisamos destes documentos agora.

    We need these documents now.

    Word by Word: We need of-these documents now.

    The verb 'precisar' requires 'de'. It contracts with the masculine plural 'estes' to form 'destes'.

  4. Eu não me lembro destas pessoas.

    I don't remember these people.

    Word by Word: I not me remember of-these people.

    The reflexive verb 'lembrar-se' requires 'de'. It contracts with the feminine plural 'estas'.

  5. O que você acha desta ideia?

    What do you think of this idea?

    Word by Word: The what you think of-this idea?

    In this context, 'achar' (to have an opinion) uses 'de' to introduce the subject being evaluated.

Common Mistakes

  • Keeping the words separate as 'de este' or 'de esta'.

    Eu gosto de este livro.
    Eu gosto deste livro.

    In Portuguese, contractions with 'de' and demonstratives are mandatory in all writing styles, including formal registers.

  • Forgetting the 'de' entirely with verbs like 'gostar'.

    Eu gosto esta cidade.
    Eu gosto desta cidade.

    English speakers often forget the preposition because 'to like' doesn't use one in English. In Portuguese, you must say 'gostar DE' something.

  • Confusing 'deste' (contraction) with 'deste' (verb).

    O sabor tu deste bolo.
    O sabor deste bolo.

    While they look the same, 'deste' can also be the past tense of 'dar' (to give) for 'tu'. Context determines if it means 'of this' or 'you gave'.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

deste/desta/destes/destasLevel 2Contraction Deste

Learn This First

To understand 'deste/desta/destes/destas', a learner must first be familiar with the preposition 'de' (of/from) and the near demonstrative adjectives 'este/esta' (this). Since these forms are contractions, familiarity with how Portuguese merges prepositions with following words (like the definite article in 'do/da') is also required.

Words in This Pattern

destedestadestesdestas