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I pronomi relativi (Il/La quale) / Relative pronouns (Il/La quale).

Relative pronouns perform two functions:

  • Replaces the noun already expressed in the main clause, generally the closest and most important noun.
  • Connect the main clause with the dependent (relative) clause.
Pronomi relativiRelative pronouns
Il/La quale
I/Le quali		That
Which
Whom

These pronouns have the same function as the relative pronoun Che, but are less used, especially in spoken language.

  • Il ragazzo il quale (che) saluta è un mio amico.
  • The boy who says hello is a friend of mine.
  • La ragazza la quale (che) saluta è mia amica.
  • The girl who says hello is my friend.
  • I ragazzi i quali (che) salutano sono nostri amici.
  • The guys who say hello are our friends.
  • Le ragazze le quali (che) salutano sono nostre amiche.
  • The girls who say hello are our friends.

The Relative pronouns (IL/LA QUALE)

Il/La quale – I/Le quali used as the subject are more formal than “che“. As object complements they are used very rarely and are practically only found in old texts. Instead, they are commonly used as an indirect complement, accompanied by a preposition.

  • Ecco il dizionario del quale ti stavo parlando.
  • Here is the dictionary I was telling you about.
  • C’è un signore alla porta, il quale (che) dice di volerti parlare.
  • There is a gentleman at the door, who (who) says he wants to talk to you.
  • La persona, alla quale ti sei rivolto, non era quella idonea.
  • The person you turned to was not the right one.
  • È quello il posto dal quale è possibile vedere le montagne.
  • This is the place from which you can see the mountains.
  • Gli amici che (e non *i quali) ho conosciuto al mare vivono a Padova.
  • The friends who (and not *whom) I met at the seaside live in Padua.

Sometimes the use of “Il quale” is necessary:

To avoid ambiguity:

  • Ho parlato con la moglie del professore, la quale gestisce una boutique.
  • I spoke to the professor’s wife, who runs a boutique.

I spoke to the professor’s wife, who runs a boutique (which could refer to wife and professor).

When the relative is distant from the name to which it refers:

  • Tanti film ho amato da giovane, i quali oggi mi farebbero sorridere.
  • I loved many films when I was young, which would make me smile today.

But it is better to say:

  • Da giovane ho amato tanti film, che oggi mi farebbero sorridere.
  • When I was young I loved many films that would make me smile today.