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Teaching guidelines +/- 15 minutes

Learn to use the pronouns "este" and "otro" and their forms to compare and contrast objects or express preferences, such as "Este gato" (this cat) and "otro gato" (another cat). Understand how to match these pronouns with gender and number in sentences like "Una perra se sienta, mientras otra pasea."
  1. "Este.. otro" is used to compare two elements or to express a preference.
  2. "Uno... otro" is used to indicate reciprocity or to mark differences between two things or actions.
Uso (Use)Expresión (Expression)Ejemplo (Example)
Comparación (Comparison)

Este...otro

Esta...otra

Estos...otros

Estas...otras

Este conejo necesita cepillarse más que el otro conejo. (This rabbit needs brushing more than the other rabbit.)
Expresar Preferencia (Express Preference)Estas tortugas son grandes mientras otras son pequeñas. (These tortoises are large while others are small.)
Acciones diferentes (Different actions)

Uno...otro

Una...otra

Unos..otros

Unas...otras

Una perra se sienta mientras otra pasea. (One dog sits while another walks.)
Reciprocidad (Reciprocity)Unos gatos son rápidos mientras otros son lentos. (Some cats are fast while others are slow.)

Exceptions!

  1. Both "este" and "otro" must agree in gender and number with the nouns they refer to. "Estos gatos son rápidos, pero otros son lentos."

Exercise 1: Uno y Este vs. Otro

Instruction: Fill in the correct word.

Show translation Show answers

Estos, uno, Unos, Una, otros, Esta, otra, otro

1.
... cepillan al perro, otros cuidan a los peces.
(Some groom the dog, others look after the fish.)
2.
... tortuga es vieja, la otra es joven.
(This tortoise is old, the other one is young.)
3.
Estos ratones son pequeños, los ... son grandes.
(These mice are small, the others are big.)
4.
... gatos necesitan una correa, los otros no.
(These cats need a lead, the others don't.)
5.
... perra es rápida, la otra prefiere sentarse tranquila.
(One dog is fast, the other prefers to sit quietly.)
6.
Una chica pasea al perro, mientras ... cuida al gato.
(One girl walks the dog, while another girl looks after the cat.)
7.
Este perro es rápido, pero el ... es lento.
(This dog is fast, but the other one is slow.)
8.
El pez y la tortuga necesitan cuidado, pero ... es más fácil de cuidar que el otro.
(The fish and the turtle need care, but one is easier to look after than the other.)

Exercise 2: Multiple Choice

Instruction: Choose the correct solution

1. Este perro necesita un paseo diario, pero ___ prefiere descansar en casa.

(This dog needs a daily walk, but ___ prefers to rest at home.)

2. Una tortuga se mueve despacio, mientras ___ es más rápida.

(A turtle moves slowly, while ___ is faster.)

3. Este gato se cepilla todos los días, pero ___ no le gusta el cepillado.

(This cat brushes every day, but ___ does not like brushing.)

4. Un pez nada rápido, y ___ nada despacio en la pecera.

(A fish swims fast, and ___ swims slowly in the fishbowl.)

5. Este pájaro canta por la mañana, pero ___ canta por la tarde.

(This bird sings in the morning, but ___ sings in the afternoon.)

6. Una perra se sienta en el sofá, y ___ pasea con la correa en el parque.

(A female dog sits on the sofa, and ___ walks with the leash in the park.)

Understanding 'Uno' and 'Este' vs. 'Otro' in Spanish

This lesson focuses on the use of the Spanish pronouns and determiners uno/una/unos/unas and este/esta/estos/estas together with otro/otra/otros/otras. These words help you compare, contrast, or express preference between two or more elements, as well as mark differences or reciprocity in actions and characteristics.

Key Uses Explained

  • Comparison: Este... otro forms are used to compare two items or express a preference. Example: Este conejo necesita cepillarse más que el otro conejo.
  • Expressing Preference: Using Esta... otra to indicate distinction between groups or qualities. Example: Estas tortugas son grandes mientras otras son pequeñas.
  • Different Actions: Uno... otro pronouns describe different behaviors or states. Example: Una perra se sienta mientras otra pasea.
  • Reciprocity: Using Unos... otros to reflect reciprocal or contrasting qualities or actions. Example: Unos gatos son rápidos mientras otros son lentos.

Important Grammar Points

Both este and otro must agree in gender and number with the nouns they refer to. For example, masculine singular: este/otro; feminine singular: esta/otra; masculine plural: estos/otros; feminine plural: estas/otras.

Remember: Este... otro is generally used to compare or point out preference, whereas Uno... otro tends to highlight differences in actions or reciprocal relationships.

Practical Examples

  • Este perro necesita cepillarse más que el otro perro. (This dog needs brushing more than the other dog.)
  • Una perra se sienta mientras otra pasea. (One female dog sits while another walks.)
  • Unos gatos son rápidos mientras otros son lentos. (Some cats are fast while others are slow.)

Comparing English and Spanish Usage

In English, the words "one" and "another" or "this" and "that/other" often play similar roles, but Spanish requires careful agreement of gender and number. The choice between uno... otro and este... otro depends on whether you are focusing on distinction between specific things (este) or general differences or reciprocity (uno).

Useful phrases to remember include:

  • Este... otro — this... other (specific comparison)
  • Uno... otro — one... another (differences in actions or qualities)
  • Gender agreement examples: esta... otra (feminine singular), estos... otros (masculine plural)

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