isto/isso/aquilo

Neuter Demonstrative Pronouns

Level 1

Portuguese uses isto (this), isso (that), and aquilo (that over there) to talk about things without naming them. They are 'neuter' because they don't change for gender or number.

How It Works

Neuter demonstrative pronouns are essential for referring to things you don't know the name of, or for referring to abstract concepts and situations.

1. The Three Distances:

  • Isto: Used for things in the speaker's space or hand. In writing, it introduces a new idea (cataphora).
  • Isso: Used for things near the person you are talking to. In writing, it refers back to something already mentioned (anaphora).
  • Aquilo: Used for things physically distant from both people, or for vague, distant memories.

2. Grammar Rules:

  • Invariable: There is no such thing as 'istas' or 'issos'. They are always singular.
  • No Nouns: You cannot say 'isto livro'. You must use este for that. Neuter pronouns always stand alone.
  • Masculine Agreement: If you use an adjective with them, the adjective must be masculine singular (e.g., 'Isto é bom').

3. Mandatory Contractions:
In standard Portuguese, these pronouns must merge with certain prepositions:

4. Regional Differences:
In Brazil, isso is very common and often replaces isto in casual speech. In Portugal, the three-way distinction is strictly maintained.

Examples (5)

  1. O que é isto?

    What is this?

    Word by Word: The what is this?

    Used when the speaker is holding or touching an unknown object.

  2. Isso é bom.

    That is good.

    Word by Word: That is good.

    Demonstrates that adjectives used with neuter pronouns must be in the masculine singular form.

  3. Aquilo no céu é um avião?

    Is that thing in the sky a plane?

    Word by Word: That in the sky is a plane?

    Used for something physically far away from both the speaker and the listener.

  4. Eu não gosto disto.

    I don't like this.

    Word by Word: I not like of-this.

    Shows the mandatory contraction of de + isto.

  5. Isto é muito importante: estude muito.

    This is very important: study hard.

    Word by Word: This is very important: study much.

    Here 'isto' is used to introduce a new piece of information that follows.

Common Mistakes

  • Using a neuter pronoun as an adjective before a noun.

    Isto livro é meu.
    Este livro é meu.

    'Isto' can never be followed by a noun. Use 'este' (masculine) or 'esta' (feminine) when naming the object.

  • Trying to make the neuter pronoun plural.

    Eu quero issos.
    Eu quero isso.

    Neuter pronouns are invariable. They do not have plural forms. If you mean multiple specific items, use 'esses' or 'aqueles'.

  • Using feminine agreement with a neuter pronoun.

    Isto é boa.
    Isto é bom.

    Even if you are referring to a feminine concept, the neuter pronoun always requires the masculine singular form of the adjective.

How It Connects

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isto/isso/aquiloLevel 1Neuter Demonstrative Pronouns

Learn This First

To understand the neuter demonstrative pronouns (isto, isso, aquilo), a learner must first understand the three-way spatial distinction in Portuguese demonstratives (near speaker, near listener, and far from both) established by the variable demonstrative adjectives.

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Words in This Pattern

istoissoaquilo