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Learn to use Italian demonstrative adjectives like questo, questa, quello, and quella to indicate proximity and distance with gender and number agreement in everyday contexts.
  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, Quello

This lesson focuses on the use of Italian demonstrative adjectives questo and quello, which are essential for indicating proximity or distance of a noun relative to the speaker.

Understanding Distance and Agreement

Demonstrative adjectives in Italian agree in gender (masculine or feminine) and number (singular or plural) with the noun they modify. They serve to specify whether something is close or far in space or time.

Forms of "Questo" (Near)

  • Masculine Singular: Questo spazio è stretto.
  • Feminine Singular: Questa strada è larga.
  • Masculine Plural: Questi triangoli sono grandi.
  • Feminine Plural: Queste forme sono piccole.

Forms of "Quello" (Far)

"Quello" can change depending on the initial letter and gender of the noun:

  • Masculine Singular:
    • "Quel" before most consonants (Quel triangolo è giallo.)
    • "Quello" before nouns starting with s + consonant, ps-, gn-, and z- (Quello spazio è stretto.)
    • "Quell'" before vowels
  • Feminine Singular: Quella sfera è grande.
  • Masculine Plural:
    • "Quei" for most consonant-starting plural nouns (Quei triangoli sono gialli.)
    • "Quegli" before plural nouns beginning with vowels, s + consonant, ps-, gn-, z- (Quegli spazi sono stretti.)
  • Feminine Plural: Quelle figure sono colorate.

Important Notes on Usage

The choice between questo and quello precisely indicates how near or far the object is from the speaker, making your descriptions clear and contextually accurate.

Comparing to English

In English, demonstratives are simpler: "this/these" for near objects and "that/those" for distant ones. Italian requires matching gender and number, adding a layer of agreement that's not present in English. For example, English "this table" translates as "questo tavolo" (masculine singular), and "those chairs" becomes "quelle sedie" (feminine plural).

Useful Words and Expressions

  • Questo/Questa: this (masculine/feminine singular)
  • Questi/Queste: these (masculine/feminine plural)
  • Quel/Quello/Quell'/Quella: that (varies by initial letter, gender, singular)
  • Quei/Quegli/Quelle: those (masculine/feminine plural)

Practicing these forms will enhance your ability to describe objects in space or time with precision and boost your fluency in everyday communication.

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Fabio Pirioni

Bachelor in Humanities

University of Udine

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Last Updated:

Thursday, 17/07/2025 17:11