qui
/ˈkwi/
The English word 'here' is translated into Italian as qui or qua.
Meaning: in, on, or at this place (adv)
Ways to say it
| Italian | IPA |
|---|---|
| qui | /ˈkwi/ /ˈkwi/ (regional) |
| qua | /ˈkwa/ /ˈkwa/ (regional) |
Both words are used as adverbs to indicate being in, on or at this place. A common idiomatic expression is eccolo qui (or eccola qui for feminine), which is used to say 'here he/she is' when a person or thing arrives.
Which one should you use?
While both mean 'here', qui is used to indicate a more precise or specific point in space compared to qua.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Southern Italy, particularly in Naples, ccà is used as an informal way to say 'here'.
How does it change in a sentence?
Both qui and qua are adverbs and do not change their form based on the gender or number of the subject.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈkwi/
Did you know?
- The word qui actually contains a hidden history of a 'pointing' gesture, coming from the Latin 'eccum' which meant 'behold' or 'look'.
- In certain contexts, qua is used in the expression qua e là to mean 'here and there', whereas qui is rarely used in this specific pair.
- While qui is often more precise, the difference between qui and qua is sometimes so subtle that even native speakers use them interchangeably in casual speech.
Examples in context
- È qui con me.I have him here with me.This sentence is useful for saying someone is here with you using qui.Tatoeba #4070688 by Guybrush88, translation #3915598 by CH
- Ma non è qui.But he isn't here.This sentence is useful for saying someone is not here using qui.Tatoeba #9729716 by Guybrush88, translation #9722273 by ariarin
- Lei non è qui.She's not here.This sentence is useful for saying she is not here using qui.Tatoeba #1004032 by Guybrush88, translation #783222 by CK
- Sono quiI am here
- Vieni quiCome here
- 12362 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Martina and Lorenzo are meeting at a cafe.
- MartinaCiao Lorenzo, sono qui!Hi Lorenzo, I'm here!
- LorenzoDove sei esattamente?Where exactly are you?
- MartinaSono qui vicino alla porta.I am here near the door.
- LorenzoOk, arrivo subito.Ok, I'm coming right now.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “here” translations and entries qui, qua, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries qua, qui, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
