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Learn how to use Italian demonstrative adjectives 'questo' and 'quello' to indicate proximity and agree with the noun's gender and number. This lesson covers their different forms, usage rules, and examples to help you correctly express 'this' and 'that' in Italian.
  1. Demonstrative adjectives agree with the gender and number of the noun.
  2. We use them to determine the spatial or temporal distance of an object from something.
  3. "Quello" is used before nouns that begin with a vowel (quell'), "s + consonant", "ps-", "gn-", "z-".
  4. "Quel" is used before all other nouns that begin with a consonant.
Distanza (Distance)Maschile (Masculine)Femminile (Feminine)
Vicino (Near)Singolare: Questo → Questo spazio è stretto. (This space is narrow.)Singolare: Questa → Questa strada è larga. (This road is wide.)
 Plurale: Questi → Questi triangoli sono grandi. (These triangles are big.)Plurale: Queste → Queste forme sono piccole. (These shapes are small.)
Lontano (Far)

Singolare: Quel → Quel triangolo è giallo. (That triangle is yellow.)

                  Quello → Quello spazio è stretto. (That space is narrow.)

Singolare: Quella → Quella sfera è grande. (That sphere is big.)
 

Plurale: Quei → Quei triangolo sono gialli. (Those triangles are yellow.)

              Quegli → Quegli spazi sono stretti. (Those spaces are narrow.)

Plurale: Quelle → Quelle figure sono colorate. (Those figures are coloured.)

Exercise 1: Gli aggettivi dimostrativi: Questo, quello

Instruction: Fill in the correct word.

Show translation Show answers

quella, Quegli, Questi, quelli, Quel, questo, quelle, questa

1. Vicino:
... oggetti sono leggeri e nuovi.
(These objects are light and new.)
2. Lontano:
Abbiamo disegnato ... ieri in classe.
(We drew those yesterday in class.)
3. Lontano:
... oggetti vecchi sono pesanti.
(Those old objects are heavy.)
4. Vicino:
Mi piace ... colore chiaro.
(I like this light colour.)
5. Vicino:
Misuro ... figura con il righello.
(I measure this figure with the ruler.)
6. Lontano:
... quadrato è spesso e grande.
(That square is thick and large.)
7. Lontano:
Preferiamo ... forme larghe.
(We prefer those broad shapes.)
8. Lontano:
Guarda ... sfera sul tavolo.
(Look at that sphere on the table.)

Exercise 2: Multiple Choice

Instruction: Choose the correct solution

1. ___ libro è molto interessante.

(___ book is very interesting.)

2. ___ sedia è comoda.

(___ chair is comfortable.)

3. ___ zaini sono pesanti.

(___ backpacks are heavy.)

4. ___ tavolo è vecchio.

(___ table is old.)

5. ___ forma è rotonda.

(___ shape is round.)

6. ___ spazi sono grandi.

(___ spaces are big.)

Demonstrative Adjectives: Questo and Quello

This lesson focuses on the use of Italian demonstrative adjectives, specifically questo (this) and quello (that). These adjectives help specify the distance, either close or far, of a noun from the speaker in space or time.

Agreement with Gender and Number

Demonstrative adjectives agree with the noun they modify in both gender and number. Here are some examples:

  • Masculine singular near: Questo spazio è stretto.
  • Feminine singular near: Questa strada è larga.
  • Masculine plural near: Questi triangoli sono grandi.
  • Feminine plural near: Queste forme sono piccole.

Far Distance Forms

For nouns farther away, quello changes according to the starting letter of the noun:

  • Before vowels: quell'
  • Before “s” + consonant, “ps”, “gn”, “z”: quello
  • Before other consonants: quel

Examples include:

  • Quel triangolo è giallo.
  • Quello spazio è stretto.
  • Quella sfera è grande.
  • Quegli spazi sono stretti.
  • Quelle figure sono colorate.

Important Highlights

Remember to choose the correct form based on proximity (near or far), gender (masculine or feminine), number (singular or plural), and the first letter of the following noun, especially for quello forms.

Language Notes and Comparisons

Unlike English demonstratives where "this" and "that" do not change form, Italian demonstrative adjectives change to agree with gender and number. For example, "this book" is questo libro (masculine singular), but "these books" becomes questi libri. The distinction of distance is also more nuanced with multiple forms for “that.” Some useful words include questo/a/i/e (this/these) and quello/a/i/e (that/those). The use of quello depends on the initial consonant or vowel of the noun, a feature not present in English.

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Fabio Pirioni

Bachelor in Humanities

University of Udine

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Last Updated:

Tuesday, 15/07/2025 02:58