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I have translated "there" into Italian language. There are "lì" and "là".
I am studying the difference between them.
Hypothesis: these two words are used to refer to a place far from the person that is speaking. "Lì" means closer than "là" ("lì" - there e.g. in the same room, "là" - there e.g. in a different country).
Question: To refer to a person in a different city, which one should I use?
Thank you.
Generally speaking, they are both really similar. There isn't much difference except for some nuance.
"Lì" usually refers to something closer than "là", at the same time, "lì" is also describing a more specific place than "là".
The use of "qua" and "là" is for spatial genericity. for example, you would use "qua e là" for something here and there or all over the place, but you wouldn't say "qui e lì" as that would mean exactly in this and that spot.
You would apply the same difference to "quì" and "qua".
I'd say that to refer to someone in a different city you can safely use "là", if you need to refer to that specific city in contract with the region or an area, then "lì" might be better suited.
While they could be used interchangeably you are almost right to say they là is farther than lì. However when it comes to colloquial Italian those differences are circumstantial. When you are pointing at something out of your reach (even in the same room) both are acceptable for example. When you are referring to a different country as you said là is more commonly used.
I'd say, as a rule of thumb, that you should consider là as an abbreviation or alternative of laggiù.
