Italian Phrase
Questo è John.
Meaning
This is a basic introductory sentence used to present a male person to others. It combines the demonstrative pronoun 'questo' with the third-person singular form of the verb 'essere' (to be).
When to use
Use this phrase in social or professional settings when you are introducing a man or a boy to someone else. It is a direct and standard way to initiate an introduction.
✦Grammar Breakdown
QuestoèJohn
Questo
A demonstrative pronoun meaning 'this'. It is masculine singular to match the subject being introduced.
È (Essere)
The third-person singular present tense of 'essere'. The accent mark is mandatory to distinguish the verb from the conjunction 'e'.
🗨In Conversation
Chi è lui?
Who is he?
Questo è John.
This is John.
✕Common Mistakes
Questo e John.
Always use the accented 'è' for the verb 'to be'; the unaccented 'e' means 'and'.
Questo sono John.
Use 'è' for singular subjects; 'sono' is used for plural subjects or the first person singular.
↔Alternatives
Ti presento John.
I introduce John to you (informal).
Lui è John.
He is John.
Cultural Tip
In Italy, introductions are usually accompanied by a handshake. When introducing someone, it is common to provide a bit of context about who they are, such as their profession or your relationship to them, to help start a conversation.