The Demonstrative Pronouns

Demonstrative pronouns (pronomi dimostrativi) refer to an object or a person.
It can stand alone or replace a noun.
When it is used together with a noun, it adapts to it in gender and number.

There are several demonstrative pronouns in Italian, but the most commonly used are “quello” (that) and “questo” (this).

“Questo” (this) is used for people, things and events that are close to the speaker (in time or space).
“Quello” (that), on the other hand, is used for people, things and events that are far away in space or time - in comparison to the person speaking.

💬 Examples:
Questa settimana andiamo al mare. ‒ This week we are travelling to the sea.
Queste scarpe (f) sono nuove! ‒ These shoes are new!
Quelle scarpe sono vecchie. ‒ Those shoes are old.
Queste scarpe sono mie, quelle sono tue. ‒ These shoes are mine, those are yours.
Quel pomeriggio faceva molto freddo. ‒ It was very cold that afternoon.
Quello zaino è pesante. ‒ That backpack is heavy.
Mi piace questo vino più di quello. ‒ I like this wine, more than that.

* If you wonder, when to use which of these forms, please look up the chapter on the definite article in Italian.
Here, the same rules apply.

➠ The Interrogative Pronouns