quello là
/ˈkwel.lo ˈla/word by word
In Italian, 'that one' is translated as quello là.
quello là is used to specify a particular object. In formal or literary contexts, the word tale may also be used to express the same meaning.
Meaning: specified object (pron)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the demonstrative pronoun quello (that) and the adverb là (there), literally meaning 'that one there'.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form must agree in gender with the noun it replaces: use quella là for feminine objects and quello là for masculine objects.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /ˈkwel.lo ˈla/. It has 3 syllables, and the stress is on the first syllable.
Did you know?
- The word quello evolved from a Vulgar Latin phrase eccum ille, which functions like the English 'behold that'.
- If you are pointing to something very far away, Italians may emphasize quello là by stretching the vowel sound in là to visually mimic the distance.
- In Italian, using quello là often involves a specific physical gesture, such as pointing with the index finger or a slight nod of the head toward the object.
Examples in context
- Quella pennaThat pen
- Quel ragazzoThat boy
- Quell'alberoThat tree
- Tale situazioneThat situation
- Quell'amicoThat friend
- Non voglio questo, voglio quello là.I don't want this one, I want that one.
- Prendi quello là sul tavolo.Take that one on the table.
Example conversation
Matteo and Giulia are choosing a cake at a bakery.
- MatteoQuale torta preferisci, Giulia?Which cake do you prefer, Giulia?
- GiuliaPreferisco quello là con le fragole.I prefer that one with the strawberries.
- MatteoAnche a me piace.I like it too.
- GiuliaAllora prendiamo quello là.Then let's take that one.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “that one” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (quello, là) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries là, quello, CC BY-SA 4.0.
