Italian Grammar Mini-Lesson: "Qui, Qua, Lì, Là" – What's the difference?

How to say here and there in Italian

🔍 Topic: How to say here and there in Italian

🧠 Level: A1 – Beginner

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1. Vocabulary you need

In Italian, there are two ways to say "here" and two ways to say "there":

• qui = here (precise location)

• qua = here (general area)

• lì = there (specific spot)

• là = there (vague or far away)

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2. What’s the real difference?

Qui and qua both mean here, but:

• "qui" refers to a more exact point. For example: Vieni qui! (Come here, right next to me.)

• "qua" refers to a general area. Example: C’è molta gente qua. (There are many people around here.)

Lì and là both mean there, but:

• "lì" points to a specific and visible place. Example: Guarda lì! (Look over there!)

• "là" refers to a less defined or more distant place. Example: Andiamo là in fondo. (Let’s go over there to the back.)

➡️ In practice, most Italians use them interchangeably, especially qui/qua and lì/là.

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3. Do they need accents?

• lì and là: YES, they need the accent! The accent is mandatory, because it distinguishes them from words like li (them) or la (her/it).

• qui and qua: NO, never use accents on these! Writing quì or quà is incorrect.

So remember:
✔️ Correct: lì, là, qui, qua
❌ Incorrect: li, la, quì, quà

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4. Mini practice exercise

Match the Italian word to its meaning:

• là → there (far, vague)

• qui → here (exact point)

• lì → there (specific spot)

• qua → here (close, general)

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5. Bonus tip

In everyday conversation, Italians often use qua and là more often than qui and lì, especially in informal speech.

Example:
Da queste parti, qua non succede mai niente.
(Around here, nothing ever happens.)

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📌 Final recap

• Use qui/qua for here

• Use lì/là for there

• Accents are only for lì and là

• All four words are short and very common, mastering them gives your Italian a natural touch!

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