Who is this?

Unit 2: People and Places

Lesson: Who is this?

In this lesson, you will learn how to ask who someone is and point to people or things nearby using questo and questa.

1. Asking 'Who is this?'

To ask who a person is, use the phrase Chi è? (Who is it? / Who is this?).

• Chi è? – Who is this?
• Chi è questo? – Who is this? (masculine)
• Chi è questa? – Who is this? (feminine)

2. Demonstratives: This

Italian has two main ways to say 'this' for singular nouns, depending on their gender:

• Questo is used for masculine people and things (e.g., questo ragazzo - this boy).
• Questa is used for feminine people and things (e.g., questa ragazza - this girl).

Note that questo changes to quest' before a vowel (e.g., quest'amico).

Common Mistakes

Mistake: Using *questo* for a girl or woman.
Correction: Always use questa for feminine nouns and people.