questo / quello
Demonstrative Adjectives (Questo/quello)
Questo = This (near the speaker)
Quello = That (far from the speaker)
How It Works
Demonstrative adjectives help you point things out in space or time.
1. Questo (This/These)
Used for objects or people close to the speaker. It follows a standard four-form pattern:
- Questo (Masculine Singular): questo libro
- Questa (Feminine Singular): questa penna
- Questi (Masculine Plural): questi libri
- Queste (Feminine Plural): queste penne
Note: Elision (quest') is optional before vowels in the singular, like quest'anno.
2. Quello (That/Those)
Used for objects or people far from the speaker. When used as an adjective (before a noun), it mimics the definite articles (il, lo, l', la, i, gli, le):
- Quel (like il): quel ragazzo
- Quello (like lo): quello zaino
- Quell' (like l'): quell'amico (Mandatory elision)
- Quei (like i): quei ragazzi
- Quegli (like gli): quegli zaini
- Quella/Quelle (like la/le): quella casa, quelle case
3. Adjective vs. Pronoun
The article-like forms above (quel, quei, quegli) are only used when the word is an adjective followed by a noun. If 'quello' is used as a pronoun (standing alone), it uses simple endings: quello, quella, quelli, quelle. For example: Vuoi questo libro o quello? (Do you want this book or that one?)
Examples (5)
- Questo vestito mi piace molto.
I like this dress a lot.
Word by Word: This dress to-me pleases much.
'Questo' is used because the dress is likely being held or worn by the speaker.
- Quel cappotto laggiù è troppo caro.
That coat over there is too expensive.
Word by Word: That coat down-there is too expensive.
'Quel' is used because the coat is far away. It takes the form 'quel' because 'cappotto' starts with a consonant (like the article 'il').
- Questi fiori sono per te.
These flowers are for you.
Word by Word: These flowers are for you.
'Questi' is the masculine plural form of 'questo'.
- Quegli stivali sono bellissimi.
Those boots are beautiful.
Word by Word: Those boots are very-beautiful.
'Quegli' is used because 'stivali' starts with 's + consonant' (like the article 'gli').
- Quest'estate vado in Italia.
This summer I am going to Italy.
Word by Word: This summer I-go in Italy.
'Quest'' is the elided form of 'questa' used before a vowel.
Common Mistakes
Using the article-like forms of 'quello' when it is a pronoun.
Quale libro vuoi? Quel.Quale libro vuoi? Quello.The complex forms (quel, quegli, etc.) are only used when 'quello' is an adjective directly before a noun. When it stands alone as a pronoun, use the simple forms: quello, quella, quelli, quelle.
Using 'quello' before all masculine consonants.
Quello libro è interessante.Quel libro è interessante.When 'quello' is an adjective, it must follow the same rules as definite articles. Use 'quel' before most consonants, just like you use 'il'.
Attempting to elide plural demonstratives.
Quegl'amici sono simpatici.Quegli amici sono simpatici.While singular forms like 'quell'' or 'quest'' can use elision before a vowel, plural forms (questi, queste, quei, quegli, quelle) never drop their final vowel.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To learn demonstrative adjectives, you must first understand how adjectives agree with nouns. Furthermore, because 'quello' changes its form based on the following letter (just like definite articles), a strong grasp of Italian definite articles and their special cases is essential.
- Adjective Agreement
Demonstrative adjectives must agree in gender and number with the nouns they modify, following standard adjective agreement rules.
Level 1 - lo / gliSpecial Definite Article 'Lo/gli'
Understanding the specific rules for 'lo' and 'gli' is necessary to correctly apply the corresponding forms of 'quello' (quello/quegli) before certain consonant clusters.
Level 1
Related Patterns
- Definite Articles
The adjective 'quello' follows the exact same phonological rules as definite articles (il, lo, la, etc.).
Level 1 - qui / qua / lì / làHere and There
These adverbs of place are often used alongside 'questo' and 'quello' to emphasize proximity or distance.
Level 1 - Elision
Explains why 'questo' and 'quella' often drop their final vowel and add an apostrophe before other vowels.
Level 1
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
Words in This Pattern
Sources
Practice questo / quello in Bubblegum
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