Neuter Demonstrative VS Demonstrative

[DeterminadoAprender]

How would you know when to use neuter demonstrative pronouns over demonstrative pronouns? I know that you use a demonstrative pronoun to replace an actual noun, right? But, I don't know how to distinguish them from neuter demonstrative pronouns.

[Rusty]

Use the neuter pronouns when you're talking about unknown or unspecified nouns, situations and ideas.
¿Qué es esto? = What is this?
¿Qué es eso? = What is that?
¿Cuáles son aquellos animales? = What are those animals over there?

If you've other questions, ask.

[DeterminadoAprender]

so, neuter demonstrative pronouns usually are in questions? what would be an example of that in a sentence and not a question?

[Rusty]

No entiendo eso. = I don't understand that (unspecified idea or situation).
Esto no me agrada nada. = This (unspecified situation) doesn't make me happy at all.

The neuter demonstrative pronouns (also known as indefinite demonstrative pronouns) never have an accent, while the definite demonstrative pronouns do.
¿Cuál prefieres, ésta o éste? = Which one do you prefer, this (feminine item) or this (masculine item)? (Both items are close to the speaker.)
Ésa, no, aquél. = That one (feminine item, not close to the speaker), no, that one over there.
Tengo un gato y un perro. Ése no duerme en la casa. Here, ése means the latter.

[DeterminadoAprender]

Esto no me agrada nada. = This (unspecified situation) doesn't make me happy at all. <--- for this example for instance, as long as there aren't previous sentences referring to what "THIS" is... you would use neuter demonstrative pronouns?

Would you use neuter demonstrative if it was something like:
"This pie tastes good. This is very delicious" VS if it was just "This is very delicious." then you would use neuter demonstrative if I were to translate that into spanish?

[Rusty]

Only if 'this' is unknown or unspecified, meaning you don't know what 'this' is or you aren't hinting at what 'this' is to your audience. If you know what 'this' is, you must use the definite demonstrative pronoun.

In my example, the situation was unspecified, or unknown. If you're talking about an unknown, like finding yourself in a dark alley and hearing a creepy sound behind you, you can say "I don't like this one bit. (Esto no me gusta para nada.)" Here, esto could be the unknown situation or the unknown entity.

[DeterminadoAprender]

thank you for the help Rusty

[Rusty]

You're welcome!

[CrOtALiTo]

Your examples are very interesting for me, then could you give me more examples.

[Tomisimo]

Originally Posted by CrOtALiTo

Your examples are very interesting for me, then could you give me more examples.

Si quieres pedir ejemplos de algo, es necesario que seas más específico. ¿A quien le estás pidiendo ejemplos? y ¿Ejemplos de qué cosa buscas?