Questo e quello
/ˈkwes.to ˈe ˈkwel.lo/word by word
The English phrase 'this and that' is translated into Italian as Questo e quello.
The phrase Questo e quello is used to refer to specific items, but it is also frequently used idiomatically to mean 'bits and pieces' or 'various things', much like the English 'this and that'. For different nuances, you might use Roba varia to mean 'various stuff' or 'assorted things' or you can use Tale e tal altro if you wish to sound more sophisticated.
Meaning: things (pron)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the demonstrative pronoun questo (this), the conjunction e (and) and the demonstrative pronoun quello (that).
Which one should you use?
While Questo e quello is often used idiomatically to mean 'various things', it can also be used to refer to two specific singular items.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form of the phrase must match the gender of the objects being referred to. If the objects are feminine, you must use the feminine singular forms questa e quella.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /ˈkwes.to ˈe ˈkwel.lo/. It has 5 syllables, and the first syllable is stressed.
Did you know?
Examples in context
- Voglio questo e quello.I want this and that.The sentence is useful for expressing a desire for both items using Questo e quello.Tatoeba #6589801 by Guybrush88, translation #6589795 by Eccles17
- Scegli tra questo e quello.Choose between this and that.The sentence is useful for giving a command to choose between Questo e quello.Tatoeba #2897587 by Guybrush88, translation #397057 by CK
- Stanno parlando di questo e quello.They are talking about this and that.The sentence is useful for describing a conversation regarding Questo e quello.Tatoeba #4693810 by Guybrush88, translation #305490 by CK
- Mi piace questo e quelloI like this and that
- Ho comprato roba varia oggiI bought this and that today
- 5 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Francesco and Sofia are cleaning their room.
- FrancescoButtiamo via tutto questo e quello?Shall we throw away all this and that?
- SofiaNo, tieni pure questo e quello.No, go ahead and keep this and that.
- FrancescoNon so più cosa fare con questo e quello.I don't know what to do with this and that anymore.
- SofiaMetti tutto in una scatola, Sofia.Put it all in a box, Sofia.
Sources
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (questo, e, quello) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries e, quello, questo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
