Learn Hardcore Italian: Questa strada è lunga.

In Italian, demonstrative adjectives (this/that) agree in gender and number with the noun they modify. Since strada is a feminine singular noun, we use questa (feminine singular) instead of questo (masculine singular).

Is strada always feminine?

Yes, the noun strada is a feminine noun in Italian, so any adjectives or demonstratives referring to it must use the feminine form (e.g., questa strada, la strada lunga).

Why do we say lunga and not lungo?

Similar to questa, the adjective lungo (long) must agree with the gender and number of the noun. For a feminine singular noun (strada), we use lunga.

Can the adjective lunga come before strada?

In general, adjectives in Italian often follow the noun, especially descriptive ones like lunga. While some adjectives can come before the noun, lunga typically appears after strada, yielding a more natural-sounding phrase: questa strada è lunga.

What is the difference between via and strada?

Both via and strada can mean road or street. Via is often found in addresses and is commonly used to name specific streets (e.g., Via Garibaldi). Strada can refer more generally to a road or route, which might be longer or go between towns or cities. The distinction can be subtle, and many times they are used interchangeably depending on context.