Exploring the Demonstrative Pronouns and Adjectives in Italian: QUESTO, QUELLO and CODESTO.
Welcome to our lesson dedicated to the demonstrative pronouns and adjectives in the Italian language.
With demonstrative pronouns and adjectives in Italian, we will explore three important concepts: questo, quello, and codesto, which are essential for communicating clearly and precisely in everyday conversations.
Demonstrative pronouns and adjectives in Italian: QUESTO
The demonstrative pronoun and adjective questo is used to indicate an object or person that is close to the speaker or is immediately relevant in the current context.
If we are showing some books:
“Questo libro è il mio, questo, invece, è di Paolo.
Forms of QUESTO
questo / a/ i / e
QUESTO ADJECTIVE
questo tavolo questi tavoliquesta sedia queste sedie
quest’anno quest’estate
Demonstrative pronouns and adjectives in Italian: QUELLO
The demonstrative pronoun and adjective quello is used to indicate an object or person that is far from the speaker or that is not immediately relevant in the current context.
If we are indicating houses on the other side of the street:
Quella casa è molto grande, è a tre piani, quella invece, ha un piano solo.
Forms of QUELLO
QUELLO PRONOUN
quello / a/ i / e
QUELLO ADJECTIVE
It declines like an article
quel tavolo quei tavoli
quella sedia quelle sedie
quello zaino quegli zaini
quell’albero quegli alberi
quell’isola quelle isole
Demonstrative pronouns and adjectives in Italian: CODESTO
The demonstrative pronoun and adjective codesto is used to indicate an object or person that is far from the speaker but close to the listener.
It is rarely used in modern Italian, found in formal or literary contexts and in Tuscany. In everyday language, it would be replaced by QUELLO.
For example, in an old novel, we might find:
Il funzionario si rivolse a Farini con solerzia: “Vi chiedo di considerare codesto documento con attenzione.” Indicando il fascicolo azzurro appena lasciato sulla scrivania del giudice, “Codesto, invece… – accennando timorosamente col capo alla cartellina di velluto rosso – “… Codesto, invece, è da considerarsi non valido!”
Conclusion
To master the correct use of demonstrative pronouns and adjectives, I advise you to practice regularly and observe how they are used in spoken and written Italian.
Reading authentic texts, listening to conversations, and doing practical exercises will help you consolidate your understanding and use these important elements of the Italian language effectively.