What is the difference between lì and là?
Both lì and là mean there. They indicate something which is far from the person who is speaking. The only small difference is that “lì” is more accurate than “là“. In other words, là means there, just like lì does, but in a less accurate way.
Let’s look at some practical examples:
- Lì c’era una fontana una volta – what I’m referring to here is that there was a fountain in specifically there, and I’m probably pointing it out with my finger.
- Là non c’era niente 20 anni – the point I’m making is that there was nothing 20 years ago somewhere there” (but not very specifically).
Common Italian Expressions with “La”
mettilo là/lì – put it there
là dentro, là fuori, là sotto – in, out
là dentro, là fuori, là sopra – in, out, up
più in là – further on (space), later on (time)
essere di là – to be somewhere else
What is the difference between qui and qua?
Both qui and qua mean here (in this place) and follow the same rule that applies to lì and là.
Qui indicates something close to the person that is speaking and is more accurate and specific than qua.
Let’s look at some practical examples:
- Qui si mangia bene – I am probably referring to my place, my house (a smaller or more specific place).
- Qua si mangia bene – I am probably referring to my city or country (a wider or more general place).
Common Italian expressions with “qui” and “qua”
vieni qui/qua – come here
mettilo qui/qua – put it here
qua/qui dentro – in here
qua/qui sotto – under here
Learn Italian the smart way with Serena’s stories
Do you know that there is a German-speaking region in Italy? Do you know that when hiking in the Dolomites, you can refuel at a local “malga“? And do you know what typical food in the Dolomites is like? If you don’t, you can learn everything about it in simple Italian by listening to and reading my short story “Due Amiche.”
January 31, 2023 @ 11:34 am
Thank you so much! You made it perfectly clear!