Italian Grammar Bank
ITALIAN DEMONSTRATIVE ARTICLES
Demonstrative pronouns in Italian (questo, quello, etc.) are used to replace nouns and indicate objects, people, or concepts based on their proximity to the speaker.
Understanding their forms and usage will help you communicate more naturally and clearly in Italian.
INTRODUCTION
The demonstrative pronouns are used to indicate the identity or position in space and time of someone or something previously indicated.
The demonstrative pronouns in Italian are questo (this), codesto (this) and quello (that).
They differ according to the distance (concrete or abstract) between what is being spoken of and the speaker and listener within the communication.
| SINGULAR | PLURAL | |
|---|---|---|
| Close to the speaker | Questo (m.); Questa (f.) = This | Questi (m.); Queste (f.) = These |
| Close to the listener | Codesto (m.); Codesta (f.) = This | Codesti (m.); Codeste (f.) = These |
| Far from the speaker and listener | Quello (m.); Quella (f.) = That | Quelli, quegli, quei (m.); Quelle (f.) = Those |
Let’s have a look at some examples:
| Non comprare quella [adjective] chitarra, questa [pronoun] ha un suono migliore ovvero | Don’t buy that guitar, this has a better sound. |
| Tu prendi codesto [adjective] pacco, io mi occuperò di questi [pronoun] | You pick up this package, I’ll take care of these. |
| Questo [pronoun] o quello [pronoun]… tocca a te decidere ovvero. | This or that… it’s up to you to decide. |
BONUS || Review this past lesson about pronouns in Italian.
ANAPHORIC & CATAPHORIC PRONOUNS
In addition to the ‘demonstrative’ function, i.e. performing the task of indicating something (real or figurative) in the space-time surrounding us, demonstrative pronouns have two other main functions: anaphoric and cataphoric functions.
Anaphoric function
In this function, the pronoun takes up and recalls something already said before.
| Ho parlato con Giulio dell’episodio di ieri e questo ha dato molto fastidio a Michela | I talked to Giulio about yesterday’s episode and this annoyed Michela |
Cataphoric function
The pronoun anticipates what will be said in the future.
| Ho da dire solo questo: che il tuo comportamento è stato molto corretto. | I have only this to say: that your behaviour was very correct |
PRONOMINAL FORM
If questo, codesto and quello can be used as demonstrative pronouns or adjectives, there are also some demonstratives that have only the pronominal form; they are:
Questi & quegli
They are only used as subjects and only if the subject is a person; they always have an anaphoric value. They are mainly literary terms and in many circumstances are used in pairs.
| Conosco Pino e Gianfranco da anni, ma se questi è sempre puntuale, quello è perennemente in ritardo. | I have known Pino and Gianfranco for years, but if this one is always on time, that one is perpetually late |
Costui, costei & costoro
These also refer to persons, with the function of subject or object complement.
They are typical of written language or literary Italian and often have a derogatory overtone.
| Ti accompagni ancora a costei? | Do you still accompany her? |
Colui, colei and coloro
These always indicate persons and are usually used in pairs with the relative pronoun colui che, colei che, coloro che.
| Dopo la presentazione sarà servito un rinfresco per coloro che lo vorranno. | After the presentation, refreshments will be served for those who want them. |
Ciò
This is an invariable pronoun by which we mean ‘this thing’, ‘these things’, ‘that thing’ and so on; it has the function of both subject and complement.
In cases where it performs the function of a complement (direct or indirect), this can be replaced by the pronominal particles ne, ci, vi, lo.
| italian | english | notes |
|---|---|---|
| Ciò mi spiace moltissimo. | This I regret very much. | Subject function |
| Mi ero scordata di ciò. Me ne ero scordata. | I had forgotten that. I had forgotten that. | Complement function |
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FAQs
What are the main demonstrative pronouns?
The most common demonstrative pronouns are questo, questa, questi, queste (this, these) and quello, quella, quelli, quelle (that, those).
What difference between demonstrative pronouns and adjectives?
Demonstrative adjectives modify a noun (questo libro – this book), while demonstrative pronouns replace a noun (Questo è interessante – This is interesting).
How do I choose between “questo” and “quello”?
Questo refers to something close to the speaker, while quello refers to something farther away or already mentioned in context.
Do demonstrative pronouns change according to gender and number?
Yes, they agree in gender and number with the noun they replace: questo/questa (singular), questi/queste (plural), quello/quella (singular), quelli/quelle (plural).
Can pronouns be used without a noun?
Yes, they can stand alone when the noun is implied, as in Questa è la mia preferita (This one is my favorite).
Can I study Italian with LTL?
Yes!
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