Lenguia | A1 Italian Grammar: 72 Topics & Examples

Most Italian verbs end in -are in the infinitive (the dictionary form), for example 'parlare' (to speak), 'abitare' (to live) and 'mangiare' (to eat). To form the presente (present tense), take off -are and add one ending per person: 'io parlo', 'tu parli', 'lui / lei parla', 'noi parliamo', 'voi parlate', 'loro parlano'. The ending already shows who is acting, so the subject pronoun is usually left out: 'Parlo italiano' (I speak Italian). One presente form covers both 'I speak' and 'I am speaking'.

Key rule

Drop -are and add -o, -i, -a, -iamo, -ate, -ano: 'parlo', 'parli', 'parla', 'parliamo', 'parlate', 'parlano' (formal 'Lei' takes the lui / lei form); only 'andare', 'fare', 'dare' and 'stare' are irregular. Verbs in -care / -gare add h before i ('cerchi', 'paghiamo'), and verbs like 'mangiare' and 'studiare' do not double the i ('mangi', 'studiamo'); only verbs with a stressed i keep it in the tu form ('tu scii', 'tu invii').

Examples

Marco parla italiano.
Marco parlare italiano.
The verb must take the ending for its subject: with 'Marco' (he) it is 'parla'. After a subject, Italian cannot use the infinitive 'parlare' (to speak) in place of the conjugated verb.
Tu abiti a Roma.
Tu abita a Roma.
With 'tu' the ending is -i: 'abiti'. The -a ending ('abita') belongs to lui / lei.
Mia sorella lavora molto.
Mia sorella lavori molto.
'Mia sorella' (my sister) takes the lui / lei form, so the ending is -a: 'lavora'. The -i ending ('lavori') belongs to tu.

Common mistakes

Using the infinitive instead of a conjugated form
Io parlare inglese.
Io parlo inglese.
The verb must change its ending to match the subject. Unlike English, Italian cannot leave the verb in its dictionary form ('parlare') after a subject.
Mixing up the tu and lui / lei endings
Tu parla con Marco?
Tu parli con Marco?
In the presente, the tu form ends in -i ('parli'), and the lui / lei form of -are verbs ends in -a ('parla').

A1Verb tenses

Present Tense - Regular -ERE Verbs

Presente - Verbi regolari in -ERE

The second group of Italian verbs ends in -ere, for example 'prendere' (to take), 'scrivere' (to write), 'leggere' (to read) and 'vivere' (to live). To form the presente, take off -ere and add: 'io prendo', 'tu prendi', 'lui / lei prende', 'noi prendiamo', 'voi prendete', 'loro prendono'. Compared with -are verbs, three endings change: lui / lei takes -e (not -a), voi takes -ete (not -ate) and loro takes -ono (not -ano).

Key rule

Regular -ere verbs drop -ere and add -o, -i, -e, -iamo, -ete, -ono: 'prendo', 'prendi', 'prende', 'prendiamo', 'prendete', 'prendono'. Unlike -are verbs, lui / lei ends in -e, voi in -ete and loro in -ono, which is stressed on the stem, never on -ono ('prendono'); a few very common -ere verbs, such as 'avere', 'bere' and 'tenere', are irregular.

Examples

Io prendo un caffè.
Io prende un caffè.
With 'io' the ending is -o: 'prendo'. 'Prende' is the lui / lei form.
Tu scrivi una lettera.
Tu scrive una lettera.
With 'tu' the ending is -i: 'scrivi'. The -e ending ('scrive') belongs to lui / lei.
Lei legge il giornale.
Lei leggi il giornale.
With 'lei' (she) the ending is -e: 'legge'. The -i ending ('leggi') belongs to tu.

Common mistakes

Using -ano instead of -ono in the loro form
Loro scrivano una lettera.
Loro scrivono una lettera.
-ere verbs take -ono in the loro form; -ano belongs to -are verbs.
Using -ate instead of -ete in the voi form
Voi prendate un caffè?
Voi prendete un caffè?
-ere verbs take -ete in the voi form; -ate belongs to -are verbs.

A1Verb tenses

Present Tense - Regular -IRE Verbs (dormire type)

Presente - Verbi regolari in -IRE (tipo dormire)

Verbs ending in -ire form the third group, and they come in two types. This tag covers the 'dormire' type: 'dormire' (to sleep), 'partire' (to leave), 'aprire' (to open), 'sentire' (to hear, to feel). Take off -ire and add: 'io dormo', 'tu dormi', 'lui / lei dorme', 'noi dormiamo', 'voi dormite', 'loro dormono'. These are the same endings as for -ere verbs except in the voi form: -ite ('dormite') instead of -ete. The other type, like 'finire' ('finisco'), adds -isc- and has its own tag.

Key rule

Dormire-type verbs ('dormire', 'partire', 'aprire', 'sentire', 'offrire', 'seguire', 'servire') drop -ire and add -o, -i, -e, -iamo, -ite, -ono: 'dormo', 'dormi', 'dorme', 'dormiamo', 'dormite', 'dormono'. Only voi differs from -ere verbs (-ite, not -ete); most other -ire verbs add -isc- ('capisco', 'finisco'), so learn each -ire verb with its io form.

Examples

Dormo otto ore.
Dormisco otto ore.
'Dormire' is a dormire-type verb, so it does not add -isc-: the io form is 'dormo'.
Tu parti domani?
Tu parte domani?
With 'tu' the ending is -i: 'parti'. The -e ending ('parte') belongs to lui / lei.
Lui apre la porta.
Lui apri la porta.
With 'lui' (he) the ending is -e: 'apre'. The -i ending ('apri') belongs to tu.

Common mistakes

Adding -isc- where it doesn't belong
Loro partiscono domani.
Loro partono domani.
'Dormire', 'partire', 'aprire' and 'sentire' belong to the dormire type, which does not use -isc-. Only the other type of -ire verbs ('finire', 'capire', 'preferire') adds -isc-.
Using -ete instead of -ite in the voi form
Voi partete domani?
Voi partite domani?
-ire verbs take -ite in the voi form; -ete belongs to -ere verbs.

A1Verb tenses

Present Tense - -IRE Verbs with -isc- (finire, capire, preferire)

Presente - Verbi in -IRE con -isc-

Most -ire verbs, including very common ones like 'finire' (to finish), 'capire' (to understand) and 'preferire' (to prefer), add -isc- between the stem and the ending in the io, tu, lui / lei and loro forms: 'finisco', 'finisci', 'finisce', 'finiscono'. The noi and voi forms have no -isc-: 'finiamo', 'finite'. Apart from -isc-, the endings are the same as for 'dormire' ('dormo', 'dormi', 'dorme'...).

Key rule

Verbs like 'finire', 'capire' and 'preferire' add -isc- in the io, tu, lui / lei and loro forms ('finisco', 'finisci', 'finisce', 'finiscono') but not in noi and voi ('finiamo', 'finite'). Learn each -ire verb with its io form, because dormire-type verbs ('partire, parto') have no -isc-.

Examples

Finisco il lavoro alle sei.
Fino il lavoro alle sei.
'Finire' adds -isc- in the io form: 'finisco'. 'Fino' is not a form of the verb (as a word, 'fino' means 'until').
Capisci l'italiano?
Capi l'italiano?
The tu form needs -isc-: 'capisci', pronounced with an 'sh' sound.
Lui preferisce il tè.
Lui prefere il tè.
'Preferire' adds -isc- in the lui / lei form: 'preferisce'.

Common mistakes

Leaving out -isc- where it is needed
Stasera fino il libro.
Stasera finisco il libro.
'Finire', 'capire', 'preferire' and the other verbs of this type need -isc- in the io, tu, lui / lei and loro forms. Without it the form does not exist.
Adding -isc- to the noi and voi forms
Noi finisciamo alle cinque.
Noi finiamo alle cinque.
The noi and voi forms never take -isc-, because their stress falls on the ending: 'finiamo', 'finite', 'capiamo', 'capite'.

A1Verb tenses

Present Tense - Essere (to be)

Presente - Essere

'Essere' means 'to be'. It is completely irregular, so learn its forms by heart: 'io sono', 'tu sei', 'lui / lei è', 'noi siamo', 'voi siete', 'loro sono'. 'Io' and 'loro' share the same form, 'sono'. The lui / lei form 'è' always has a grave accent: without it, 'e' means 'and'. Use essere to say who or what someone is, where they are from, where they are and what they are like: 'Sono Anna', 'Sono di Roma' (I'm from Rome), 'Sono a casa' (I'm at home), 'Marco è simpatico' (Marco is nice).

Key rule

'Essere' is irregular: 'sono', 'sei', 'è', 'siamo', 'siete', 'sono' (formal 'Lei è'), and 'è' (is) always has a grave accent, also as a capital ('È'), to keep it apart from 'e' (and). Age and states expressed with a noun, such as hunger, take avere ('Ho vent'anni', 'Ho fame', but 'Sono stanco'), and 'How are you?' takes stare ('Come stai?').

Examples

Io sono italiano, e tu?
Io è italiano, e tu?
With 'io' the form is 'sono'. 'È' is only for lui / lei (and formal Lei).
Tu sei stanco?
Tu siete stanco?
With 'tu' the form is 'sei'. 'Siete' is the voi form, for more than one person.
Lei è professoressa.
Lei e professoressa.
'È' (is) needs its grave accent. Without it, 'e' means 'and', so 'Lei e professoressa' reads as 'she and teacher'.

Common mistakes

Missing grave accent on è
Lei e studentessa.
Lei è studentessa.
'È' (is) must carry a grave accent to keep it apart from 'e' (and). This is one of the most frequent spelling mistakes.
Using 'sono' for tu
Tu sono stanco?
Tu sei stanco?
'Sono' is the form for io and loro; tu takes 'sei'.

A1Verb tenses

Present Tense - Avere (to have)

Presente - Avere

'Avere' means 'to have'. It is irregular: 'io ho', 'tu hai', 'lui / lei ha', 'noi abbiamo', 'voi avete', 'loro hanno'. The h in 'ho', 'hai', 'ha' and 'hanno' is never pronounced; it is written only to tell these forms apart from 'o' (or), 'ai' (to the), 'a' (to) and 'anno' (year). 'Abbiamo' and 'avete' have no h. Italian also uses avere where English uses 'be': for age ('Ho vent'anni', I'm twenty) and for states expressed with a noun, such as 'fame' (hunger), 'sete' (thirst) and 'freddo' (cold): 'Ho fame' (I'm hungry, literally 'I have hunger').

Key rule

'Avere' is irregular: 'ho', 'hai', 'ha', 'abbiamo', 'avete', 'hanno'. The h of 'ho', 'hai', 'ha' and 'hanno' is silent but always written (it separates them from 'o', 'ai', 'a', 'anno'), and Italian uses avere, not essere, for age and for states expressed with a noun, such as hunger and cold ('Ho vent'anni', 'Ho fame', 'Ho freddo'; but 'Sono stanco').

Examples

Ho un fratello.
O un fratello.
The io form is 'ho', with a silent h. Without it, 'o' means 'or'.
Quanti anni hai?
Quanti anni ai?
The tu form is 'hai'. Without the h, 'ai' means 'to the'.
Lei ha due figli.
Lei a due figli.
The lui / lei form is 'ha'. Without the h, 'a' means 'to'.

Common mistakes

Leaving out the silent h
O un cane.
Ho un cane.
The h is silent but must be written in 'ho', 'hai', 'ha' and 'hanno'. It tells them apart from 'o' (or), 'ai' (to the), 'a' (to) and 'anno' (year).
Adding h to the noi and voi forms
Havete tempo stasera?
Avete tempo stasera?
Only 'ho', 'hai', 'ha' and 'hanno' have an h. 'Abbiamo' and 'avete' are written without it.

A1Verb tenses

Present Tense - Andare and Venire

Presente - Andare e venire

'Andare' (to go) and 'venire' (to come) are irregular and very frequent. Andare: 'vado', 'vai', 'va', 'andiamo', 'andate', 'vanno'. Venire: 'vengo', 'vieni', 'viene', 'veniamo', 'venite', 'vengono'. The place after them needs the right preposition: 'a' + city ('Vado a Roma'), 'in' + country or region ('Vado in Italia'; plural names add the article: 'negli Stati Uniti'), 'da' + person ('Vado da Luca', I'm going to Luca's). With venire, 'da' also means 'from': 'Vengo da Napoli' (I come from Naples).

Key rule

Andare: 'vado', 'vai', 'va', 'andiamo', 'andate', 'vanno'; venire: 'vengo', 'vieni', 'viene', 'veniamo', 'venite', 'vengono'. For destinations use 'a' + city ('a Roma'), 'in' + country or region ('in Italia'; plural names add the article: 'negli Stati Uniti') and 'da' + person ('da Luca', 'dal medico'); 'venire da' also means 'to come from' ('Vengo da Napoli').

Examples

Vado a Roma.
Vado in Roma.
Cities take 'a': 'a Roma', 'a Milano'. 'In' is for countries and regions.
Vado in Italia.
Vado a Italia.
Countries take 'in': 'in Italia', 'in Francia'. 'A' is for cities.
Stasera vado da Marco.
Stasera vado a Marco.
To go to a person, or to their home, Italian uses 'da': 'vado da Marco' (I'm going to Marco's). 'A' does not work with a person here.

Common mistakes

Using 'di' instead of 'da' after venire
Vengo di Napoli.
Vengo da Napoli.
'Venire da' + place means 'to come from': 'Vengo da Napoli', 'Vengono dalla Sicilia'. 'Di' + city goes with essere: 'Sono di Napoli'.
Using 'a' with countries
Vado a Francia.
Vado in Francia.
Countries, regions and large islands take 'in': 'in Francia', 'in Toscana', 'in Sardegna'.

A1Verb tenses

Present Tense - Fare, Dare, Stare

Presente - Fare, dare, stare

'Fare' (to do, to make), 'dare' (to give) and 'stare' (to stay, to be) are short irregular verbs. Fare: 'faccio', 'fai', 'fa', 'facciamo', 'fate', 'fanno'. Dare: 'do', 'dai', 'dà', 'diamo', 'date', 'danno'. Stare: 'sto', 'stai', 'sta', 'stiamo', 'state', 'stanno'. Only 'dà' (he / she gives) has an accent, to tell it apart from 'da' (from). Use stare to say how you are ('Come stai?' 'Sto bene') and fare for hot, cold, good or bad weather ('Fa freddo', It's cold).

Key rule

Fare: 'faccio', 'fai', 'fa', 'facciamo', 'fate', 'fanno'; dare: 'do', 'dai', 'dà', 'diamo', 'date', 'danno'; stare: 'sto', 'stai', 'sta', 'stiamo', 'state', 'stanno'. Only 'dà' (gives) has an accent; use stare for how you are ('Sto bene'), essere for most descriptions ('Sono stanco') and fare for hot, cold, good or bad weather ('Fa freddo', 'Fa bel tempo').

Examples

Faccio i compiti.
Facio i compiti.
The io form of fare is 'faccio', with a double c (as in 'facciamo').
E tu, che lavoro fai?
E tu, che lavoro fa?
With 'tu' the form is 'fai'. 'Fa' is the lui / lei form, which you also use with formal Lei: 'E Lei, che lavoro fa?'
Lui fa il medico.
Lui fà il medico.
'Fa' is written without an accent; among these verbs only 'dà' (gives) has one. 'Fare il medico' means 'to work as a doctor'.

Common mistakes

Missing grave accent on dà
Lei da il libro a Marco.
Lei dà il libro a Marco.
'Dà' (gives) must have a grave accent to keep it apart from the preposition 'da' (from).
Using essere to say how you are
Oggi sono bene, grazie.
Oggi sto bene, grazie.
To say how someone is (their health or general wellbeing), Italian uses stare: 'Come stai?' 'Sto bene.' 'Sono bene' is not Italian.

A1Verb tenses

Present Tense - Sapere and Conoscere

Presente - Sapere e conoscere

Italian has two verbs for 'to know'. 'Sapere' is for facts and information, and with an infinitive it means knowing how to do something: 'So che è tardi' (I know it's late), 'So nuotare' (I can swim). 'Conoscere' is for people, places and things you are familiar with: 'Conosco Maria' (I know Maria), 'Conosco Roma' (I know Rome). Sapere is irregular: 'so', 'sai', 'sa', 'sappiamo', 'sapete', 'sanno'. Conoscere is a regular -ere verb: 'conosco', 'conosci', 'conosce', 'conosciamo', 'conoscete', 'conoscono'.

Key rule

Use sapere ('so', 'sai', 'sa', 'sappiamo', 'sapete', 'sanno') for facts and skills, before 'che', a question word or an infinitive: 'So che è tardi', 'Sai dov'è?', 'So nuotare'. Use conoscere (a regular -ere verb: 'conosco', 'conosci', 'conosce'...) for people, places and things you are familiar with: 'Conosco Maria', 'Conosco Roma'.

Examples

So parlare italiano.
Conosco parlare italiano.
A skill takes sapere + infinitive: 'So parlare italiano' (I can speak Italian). Conoscere cannot be followed by an infinitive.
Conosco Roma molto bene.
So Roma molto bene.
Being familiar with a place takes conoscere: 'Conosco Roma'.
Sai dov'è la stazione?
Conosci dov'è la stazione?
A question word ('dove', where) introduces a piece of information, so the verb is sapere.

Common mistakes

Using conoscere for skills
Conosco nuotare.
So nuotare.
Skills ('knowing how to') take sapere + infinitive. Conoscere is never followed by an infinitive.
Using sapere for people or places
So Paolo da tanti anni.
Conosco Paolo da tanti anni.
People and places take conoscere.

A1Verb tenses

Present Continuous (stare + gerundio)

Stare + gerundio

To stress that something is in progress, Italian uses 'stare' + gerundio: 'Sto mangiando' (I'm eating). Take the presente of stare ('sto', 'stai', 'sta', 'stiamo', 'state', 'stanno') and add the gerundio, which never changes: -are verbs take -ando ('parlare' → 'parlando'), -ere and -ire verbs take -endo ('scrivere' → 'scrivendo', 'dormire' → 'dormendo'). The simple presente can also describe what is happening now ('Mangio' = I eat / I'm eating), so stare + gerundio is optional. It is not used for habits or plans: 'Ogni giorno lavoro' (I work every day), 'Domani parto' (I'm leaving tomorrow).

Key rule

Stare + gerundio ('sto parlando', 'stai scrivendo', 'stanno dormendo'): the gerundio ends in -ando for -are verbs and -endo for -ere / -ire verbs ('facendo', 'dicendo', 'bevendo' are irregular). Use it for an action in progress now or around now; it is optional, and it is not used for habits, plans or lasting states ('Ogni giorno lavoro', 'Domani parto').

Examples

Sto mangiando una pizza.
Sono mangiando una pizza.
The Italian progressive is built with stare, not essere: 'Sto mangiando'.
Che cosa stai facendo?
Che cosa stai fando?
The gerundio of 'fare' is irregular: 'facendo' (with one c), built on a longer stem, like 'dicendo' (dire) and 'bevendo' (bere). A regular-looking 'fando' does not exist.
Lei sta scrivendo un'email.
Lei sta scrivando un'email.
-ere verbs form the gerundio with -endo: 'scrivendo'. The -ando ending is only for -are verbs.

Common mistakes

Using essere instead of stare
Siamo studiando per l'esame.
Stiamo studiando per l'esame.
The Italian progressive always uses stare, never essere.
Using -ando with -ere and -ire verbs
Marco sta scrivando un messaggio.
Marco sta scrivendo un messaggio.
-are verbs take -ando; -ere and -ire verbs take -endo.

A1Verb tenses

Imperative - tu / voi Forms (affirmative)

Imperativo - tu/voi (affermativo)

The imperativo (imperative) is used for instructions, requests and invitations. Tu form (one person you call tu): -are verbs end in -a ('Parla!', Speak!), -ere and -ire verbs use the present tu form, which ends in -i ('Prendi!', Take!; 'Dormi!', Sleep!; 'Finisci!', Finish!; 'Vieni!', Come!). Voi form (more than one person): for almost every verb, the same as the present voi form ('Parlate!', 'Prendete!', 'Dormite!'). Watch out with -are verbs: the tu imperative 'Parla!' is different from the present 'tu parli'. A few common verbs have short tu forms with an apostrophe: va' (go), fa' (do), da' (give), sta' (stay) and di' (say). The first four also have a longer form that is just as correct: 'vai', 'fai', 'dai', 'stai'. Essere and avere have their own forms for both tu and voi: 'Sii gentile!', 'Siate gentili!' (Be kind!) and 'Abbi pazienza!', 'Abbiate pazienza!' (Be patient!).

Key rule

Tu imperative: -are verbs end in -a ('Parla!'), -ere and -ire verbs use the present tu form ('Prendi!', 'Dormi!', 'Finisci!', 'Vieni!'), and va' or vai, fa' or fai, da' or dai, sta' or stai, di', sii (essere) and abbi (avere) are irregular. The voi imperative is the present voi form ('Parlate!', 'Prendete!'), except for a few verbs, mainly essere ('siate') and avere ('abbiate').

Examples

Parla più forte!
Parli più forte! (intended: Speak louder!, said to a friend)
With a friend (tu), the imperative of -are verbs ends in -a: 'Parla!' 'Parli' is the present ('you speak'), and 'Parli più forte!' is the polite command to someone you call Lei.
Prendi il libro!
Prenda il libro! (intended: Take the book!, said to a friend)
For tu, -ere verbs end in -i: 'Prendi!' 'Prenda!' is the polite Lei form, which is wrong when you speak to a friend.
Finisci i compiti!
Fini i compiti!
-isc- verbs keep -isc- in the tu imperative: 'Finisci!', just like the present 'tu finisci'.

Common mistakes

Using the present -i for the tu imperative of -are verbs
Mangi la pasta! (intended: Eat your pasta!, said to a child)
Mangia la pasta!
The tu imperative of -are verbs ends in -a: 'Mangia!' 'Mangi' is the present ('you eat'), and as a command it is the polite Lei form.
Using -a for the tu imperative of -ere and -ire verbs
Prenda l'ombrello! (intended: Take the umbrella!, said to a friend)
Prendi l'ombrello!
The tu imperative of -ere and -ire verbs ends in -i, like the present: 'Prendi!', 'Dormi!' The -a ending ('Prenda!', 'Dorma!') is the polite Lei form.

A1Verb usage

Reflexive (Pronominal) Verbs - Basic

Verbi riflessivi - Base

Reflexive verbs (verbi riflessivi) are used with a small pronoun that refers back to the subject. In the dictionary their infinitive ends in -si, which is the normal infinitive without its final -e plus 'si': 'chiamare' + 'si' = 'chiamarsi' (to be called). To use one, conjugate the verb as usual and put the matching reflexive pronoun in front of it: 'mi' (io), 'ti' (tu), 'si' (lui / lei / Lei), 'ci' (noi), 'vi' (voi), 'si' (loro). 'Mi chiamo Anna' (My name is Anna), 'Ti svegli presto?' (Do you wake up early?), 'Ci alziamo alle sette' (We get up at seven). In a negative sentence 'non' comes first: 'Non mi alzo' (I don't get up).

Key rule

Conjugate the verb without -si and put the matching reflexive pronoun in front of it: 'mi alzo', 'ti alzi', 'si alza', 'ci alziamo', 'vi alzate', 'si alzano' ('si' is only for lui, lei, Lei and loro). 'Non' goes before the pronoun ('Non mi alzo'), and after a form of 'volere', 'potere' or 'dovere' the pronoun can also join the infinitive and match the person ('Voglio alzarmi', 'Vuoi alzarti?').

Examples

Mi chiamo Paolo.
Chiamo Paolo. (intended: My name is Paolo)
To give your name, use 'chiamarsi' with the pronoun 'mi': 'Mi chiamo Paolo'. Without 'mi', 'Chiamo Paolo' means 'I'm calling Paolo'.
Come ti chiami?
Come si chiami?
The pronoun must match the subject: with 'tu' (here in 'chiami') it is 'ti'. 'Si' belongs to lui, lei, Lei and loro.
Lei si sveglia alle sette.
Lei sveglia alle sette.
'Svegliarsi' (to wake up) needs its pronoun: 'si sveglia'. Without it, 'svegliare' means to wake someone else up and needs an object.

Common mistakes

Leaving out 'mi' when giving your name
Chiamo Marco. (intended: My name is Marco)
Mi chiamo Marco.
'Chiamarsi' (to be called) always needs its pronoun. 'Chiamo Marco' means 'I'm calling Marco', for example on the phone.
Keeping -si on the infinitive for every person
Domani voglio alzarsi presto.
Domani voglio alzarmi presto.
When the pronoun is joined to the infinitive, it still matches the subject: 'alzarmi' (io), 'alzarti' (tu), 'alzarci' (noi), 'alzarvi' (voi). The dictionary form 'alzarsi' fits lui, lei, Lei and loro ('Vuole alzarsi presto') and general statements ('È bello alzarsi presto').

A1Verb usage

Reflexive Verbs for Daily Routine

Verbi riflessivi - Routine quotidiana

Many everyday routine actions, the things you do to yourself, are reflexive verbs in Italian, even where English has no 'myself': 'mi sveglio' (I wake up), 'mi alzo' (I get up), 'mi lavo' (I wash), 'mi vesto' (I get dressed), 'mi preparo' (I get ready), 'mi addormento' (I fall asleep). For your own body parts and clothes, use the reflexive verb with the definite article ('il', 'la', 'i', 'le' and so on), not with 'my': 'Mi lavo i denti' (I brush my teeth), 'Mi metto la giacca' (I put on my jacket). Eating, sleeping and going somewhere are not reflexive: 'faccio colazione' (I have breakfast), 'pranzo' (I have lunch), 'ceno' (I have dinner), 'dormo' (I sleep), 'vado al lavoro' (I go to work).

Key rule

Routine actions you do to yourself take the reflexive pronoun ('mi sveglio', 'mi alzo', 'mi lavo', 'mi vesto', 'mi preparo', 'mi addormento'), but eating, sleeping and going somewhere do not ('faccio colazione', 'pranzo', 'ceno', 'dormo', 'vado al lavoro'). With reflexive verbs, use the definite article for your own body parts and clothes, not a possessive: 'Mi lavo le mani', 'Mi metto la giacca'.

Examples

Mi sveglio alle sette.
Sveglio alle sette.
'Svegliarsi' (to wake up) needs the pronoun: 'mi sveglio'. Without it, 'sveglio' means 'I wake (someone) up' and needs an object.
Mi lavo i denti dopo colazione.
Mi lavo i miei denti dopo colazione.
With your own body parts, use the definite article: 'i denti'. The pronoun 'mi' already shows that they are your teeth, so a possessive ('i miei denti') sounds wrong.
Mi metto la giacca.
Metto mi la giacca.
'Mettersi' + a piece of clothing means 'to put on'. In the presente the reflexive pronoun goes before the conjugated verb, not after it: 'Mi metto la giacca', 'Ti metti la giacca'.

Common mistakes

Using a possessive with your own body parts
Mi lavo le mie mani.
Mi lavo le mani.
With a reflexive verb and a body part, Italian uses the definite article ('le mani', 'i denti'). The pronoun 'mi' already shows whose hands they are.
Leaving out the reflexive pronoun in routine verbs
Alzo presto ogni mattina.
Mi alzo presto ogni mattina.
'Get up', 'wake up' and 'get dressed' have no 'myself' in English, but 'alzarsi', 'svegliarsi' and 'vestirsi' need the pronoun in Italian.

A1Verb usage

Essere vs Avere - Basic Distinction

Essere vs avere - Base

Use 'essere' (to be: 'sono', 'sei', 'è', 'siamo', 'siete', 'sono') to say who someone is, where they come from, where they are and what they are like with an adjective: 'Sono Anna', 'Sono di Roma', 'Sono a casa', 'Sono stanco' (I'm tired). Use 'avere' (to have: 'ho', 'hai', 'ha', 'abbiamo', 'avete', 'hanno') for what you have and for many states that Italian expresses with a noun: 'Ho un cane' (I have a dog), 'Ho vent'anni' (I'm twenty), 'Ho fame' (I'm hungry), 'Ho freddo' (I'm cold). So where English says 'I am' + hungry, thirsty, hot, cold, sleepy, afraid or an age, Italian says 'ho'.

Key rule

Use 'essere' for who someone is, where they are from, where they are, and adjectives describing people or things ('Sono italiano', 'Sono a casa', 'Sono stanco', 'Il caffè è freddo'). Use 'avere' for possession, age and states expressed with a noun ('Ho un cane', 'Ho vent'anni', 'Ho fame', 'Ho freddo', 'Ho sonno', 'Ho paura').

Examples

Ho fame.
Sono fame.
Italian expresses hunger with a noun: 'avere fame', literally 'to have hunger'. 'Fame' is not an adjective, so it cannot follow 'sono'.
Ho vent'anni.
Sono vent'anni. (intended: I'm twenty)
Age is something you have in Italian: 'Ho vent'anni', literally 'I have twenty years'. 'Sono vent'anni' would mean 'it has been twenty years'. ('Venti anni' without the apostrophe is also correct.)
La pizza è fredda.
La pizza ha freddo.
Food and objects do not feel anything: for them 'freddo' is an adjective with 'essere', and it agrees with the noun ('fredda'). 'Avere freddo' is only for people and animals who feel cold.

Common mistakes

Using essere for states expressed with a noun
Sono sete.
Ho sete.
Italian says you 'have' thirst, hunger, cold and so on: 'avere sete', 'avere fame', 'avere freddo'. These words are nouns, so they cannot follow 'essere'.
Using essere for age
Sono venti anni. (intended: I'm twenty)
Ho venti anni.
Age uses 'avere': 'Ho venti anni', literally 'I have twenty years'. 'Sono venti anni' would mean 'it has been twenty years'.

A1Verb usage

C'è / Ci sono - Existence / There is/are

C'è / ci sono

To say that something is there or exists, Italian uses 'c'è' (there is) with a singular noun and 'ci sono' (there are) with a plural noun: 'C'è un bar qui vicino' (There's a café near here), 'Ci sono tre camere' (There are three bedrooms). 'C'è' is 'ci' + 'è', written with an apostrophe and a grave accent. For the negative, put 'non' in front: 'Non c'è latte' (There's no milk). A question has the same words, said with a rising voice: 'Ci sono domande?' (Are there any questions?). To say where a known person or thing is, use 'è' or 'sono' + the place: 'Il bagno è a destra' (The bathroom is on the right).

Key rule

Use 'c'è' + a singular noun and 'ci sono' + a plural noun to say that something is there or exists: 'C'è un bar', 'Ci sono tre bar'. Put 'non' in front for the negative ('Non c'è nessuno'). To say where a known person or thing is, use 'è' or 'sono' + the place: 'Il bar è in piazza'.

Examples

C'è un libro sul tavolo.
Ci sono un libro sul tavolo.
'Un libro' is singular, so the verb is singular too: 'c'è'. 'Ci sono' is for more than one thing: 'Ci sono due libri'.
Ci sono molti studenti in classe.
C'è molti studenti in classe.
'Molti studenti' is plural, so Italian needs 'ci sono'. Unlike casual English 'there's lots of...', 'c'è' cannot introduce a plural.
Non c'è nessuno a casa.
No c'è nessuno a casa.
The negative word before a verb is 'non', not 'no': 'Non c'è nessuno' (There's nobody). 'No' is the answer word ('No, grazie').

Common mistakes

Using c'è with a plural noun
C'è tre bambini nel parco.
Ci sono tre bambini nel parco.
The verb agrees with the noun that follows: 'c'è' for one thing, 'ci sono' for more than one.
Writing c'è without the apostrophe
Cè un gatto sotto il tavolo.
C'è un gatto sotto il tavolo.
'C'è' is 'ci' + 'è': it needs both the apostrophe and the grave accent on 'è'.

A1Verb usage

Idiomatic Avere Expressions (fame, sete, caldo, freddo, sonno, paura, anni)

Espressioni con avere

Where English says 'I am' + hungry, thirsty, hot, cold, sleepy or afraid, Italian says 'I have' + a noun: 'Ho fame' (I'm hungry, literally 'I have hunger'). The core set: 'avere fame' (to be hungry), 'avere sete' (thirsty), 'avere caldo' (hot), 'avere freddo' (cold), 'avere sonno' (sleepy), 'avere paura' (afraid), 'avere fretta' (in a hurry), 'avere ragione' (right), 'avere torto' (wrong), 'avere bisogno di' (to need), 'avere voglia di' (to feel like) and 'avere ... anni' (to be ... years old). Only 'avere' changes; the noun stays the same and has no article: 'Abbiamo fame', 'Hanno freddo'. For 'very', use 'molto' or 'tanto', which agree with the noun: 'Ho molta fame', 'Ho molto sonno'.

Key rule

Use 'avere' + a noun with no article for 'fame', 'sete', 'caldo', 'freddo', 'sonno', 'paura', 'fretta', 'ragione', 'torto', '... anni' and 'mal di' + body part; 'paura', 'bisogno' and 'voglia' take 'di' before what follows ('Ho bisogno di aiuto'). The noun never changes, and 'molto' or 'tanto' agree with it: 'Ho molta fame', 'Ho molto sonno'.

Examples

Ho fame. Mangiamo?
Sono fame. Mangiamo?
Hunger is a noun in Italian, so it goes with 'avere': 'Ho fame', literally 'I have hunger'. 'Sono' cannot be followed by 'fame'.
Hai sete?
Sei sete?
Thirst is also something you have: 'avere sete'. The question just uses the tu form 'hai'.
Ho caldo!
Sono caldo! (intended: I feel hot)
To say you feel hot, use 'Ho caldo'. 'Sono caldo' describes the person, for example a body that is warm to the touch, not a feeling.

Common mistakes

Using essere instead of avere
Sono sonno, vado a letto.
Ho sonno, vado a letto.
'Sonno' (sleepiness) is a noun, so it goes with 'avere'. With 'essere' you need an adjective: 'Sono stanco' (I'm tired).
Adding an article before the noun
Hai la sete?
Hai sete?
In these expressions the noun has no article: 'avere sete', 'avere fame', 'avere sonno'.

A1Verb usage

Fare - Weather, Sports, Activities

Fare - Tempo, sport, attività

'Fare' (to do, to make: 'faccio', 'fai', 'fa', 'facciamo', 'fate', 'fanno') appears in many everyday expressions where English uses 'be', 'take', 'have' or 'play'. Weather: 'Fa caldo' (It's hot), 'Fa freddo' (It's cold), 'Fa bel tempo' (The weather is nice) and the question 'Che tempo fa?' (What's the weather like?). Sun and wind are nouns and take 'c'è' instead: 'C'è il sole' (It's sunny), 'C'è vento' (It's windy). Activities: 'fare sport' (to do sport), 'fare yoga', 'fare una passeggiata' (to take a walk), 'fare una foto' (to take a photo), 'fare una domanda' (to ask a question), 'fare la spesa' (to do the food shopping), 'fare i compiti' (to do homework), 'fare colazione' (to have breakfast).

Key rule

For temperature and nice or bad weather use 'fa' ('Fa caldo', 'Fa bel tempo'; 'Che tempo fa?'), but sun, wind and fog take 'c'è' ('C'è il sole'), a cloudy sky takes 'è' ('È nuvoloso') and rain and snow have their own verbs ('Piove', 'Nevica'). Many activities are 'fare' + noun, learnt as fixed expressions: 'fare sport', 'fare una passeggiata', 'fare una foto', 'fare una domanda', 'fare la spesa', 'fare colazione' (no article).

Examples

Fa caldo oggi.
È caldo oggi. (intended: It's hot today)
Hot and cold weather take 'fa': 'Fa caldo' (It's hot). 'È caldo' describes a thing that is hot, such as 'Il tè è caldo', so 'È caldo oggi' would say that something, such as the coffee, is hot today.
Che tempo fa a Roma?
Che tempo è a Roma?
The weather question is a fixed expression with 'fare': 'Che tempo fa?' (What's the weather like?).
Facciamo una passeggiata!
Prendiamo una passeggiata!
English 'take a walk' is 'fare una passeggiata' in Italian. 'Prendere' (to take) is not used with walks.

Common mistakes

Using essere for hot or cold weather
Oggi è freddo. (intended: It's cold today)
Oggi fa freddo.
Temperature and nice or bad weather take 'fa': 'Fa freddo', 'Fa caldo', 'Fa bello'. 'È freddo' describes a thing, as in 'Il caffè è freddo'.
Adding an article to 'fare colazione'
Faccio la colazione alle sette. (intended: I have breakfast at seven)
Faccio colazione alle sette.
'Fare colazione' (to have breakfast) has no article. 'Fare la colazione' means preparing it.

A1Verb usage

Piacere - Basic (mi piace / mi piacciono)

Verbo piacere - Base

'Piacere' is how Italian says 'to like', but it works the other way round: the thing you like is the subject, and the person who likes it is an indirect object pronoun ('mi' = to me). 'Mi piace la pizza' (I like pizza) literally means 'Pizza is pleasing to me'. So the verb agrees with the thing: 'piace' for one thing or for an activity (an infinitive), 'piacciono' for several things: 'Mi piace leggere' (I like reading), 'Mi piacciono i gatti' (I like cats). Change the pronoun to change the person: 'mi', 'ti', 'gli' (him), 'le' (her), 'Le' (you, formal), 'ci', 'vi', 'gli' (them). To name the person, use 'a': 'A Marco piace il calcio' (Marco likes football). Negative: 'Non mi piace'.

Key rule

With 'piacere' the thing you like is the subject and the person is an indirect pronoun ('mi', 'ti', 'gli', 'le', 'ci', 'vi', 'gli') or 'a' + person. Use 'piace' with one thing or an infinitive ('Mi piace la pizza', 'Mi piace ballare') and 'piacciono' with plural things ('Mi piacciono i gatti'): the verb agrees with the thing, never with the person.

Examples

Mi piace la pizza.
Io piaccio la pizza.
In Italian the pizza is the subject: 'Mi piace la pizza', literally 'Pizza is pleasing to me'. 'Io piaccio' means 'I am pleasing', so it cannot take 'la pizza' as an object.
Mi piacciono gli spaghetti.
Mi piace gli spaghetti.
'Gli spaghetti' is plural in Italian, so the verb must be plural too: 'piacciono'.
Ti piace il caffè?
Tu piace il caffè?
The person who likes something is shown by an indirect pronoun ('ti', to you), not by the subject pronoun 'tu'.

Common mistakes

Using the liker as the subject, as in English
Tu piaci il caffè?
Ti piace il caffè?
With 'piacere' the coffee is the subject and the person is the indirect pronoun 'ti' (to you). The verb is 'piace' because the coffee is one thing.
Not making the verb agree with the thing liked
Mi piace i film italiani.
Mi piacciono i film italiani.
The verb agrees with the thing liked: 'piace' for one thing or an activity, 'piacciono' for plural things such as 'i film'.

A1Verb usage

Verbs of Preference (amare, adorare, preferire, odiare)

Verbi di preferenza

Besides 'piacere', Italian has verbs of liking and disliking that work just like English, with the person as the subject: 'amare' (to love), 'adorare' (to adore, to love), 'preferire' (to prefer), 'odiare' (to hate) and 'detestare' (to detest). 'Amo la pizza' (I love pizza), 'Odio il freddo' (I hate the cold). They are followed directly by a noun or by an infinitive: 'Adoro ballare' (I love dancing). To compare two things, say 'preferire' + your favourite + 'a' + the other one: 'Preferisco il tè al caffè' (I prefer tea to coffee). To compare two activities, put 'piuttosto che' (rather than) between the two infinitives: 'Preferisco leggere piuttosto che guardare la TV' (I prefer reading to watching TV). 'Preferire' adds -isc- in most forms: 'preferisco', 'preferisci'. For the love you feel for family and friends, Italians usually say 'voler bene a': 'Ti voglio bene'.

Key rule

'Amare', 'adorare', 'preferire', 'odiare' and 'detestare' work like English: the person who loves or hates is the subject, and a noun or an infinitive follows directly, with no preposition ('Amo la musica', 'Odio aspettare'). To compare, use 'preferire' X 'a' Y with nouns ('Preferisco il tè al caffè') and 'piuttosto che' between two infinitives ('Preferisco leggere piuttosto che guardare la TV'); 'preferire' has -isc- in 'preferisco', 'preferisci', 'preferisce' and 'preferiscono'.

Examples

Amo la musica italiana.
Mi amo la musica italiana.
'Amare' works like English 'love': the subject (here 'io', left out) loves the object. There is no 'mi' as with 'piacere'.
Adoro il gelato al pistacchio.
Mi adora il gelato al pistacchio. (intended: I adore pistachio ice cream)
'Adorare' has the person as subject: 'Adoro' (I adore). 'Mi adora' means 'he or she adores me', so the wrong sentence says that the ice cream adores me.
Preferisco l'estate all'inverno.
Preferisco l'estate dell'inverno.
After 'preferire', the less preferred thing follows 'a', which joins the article: 'all'inverno'. 'Di' is used after 'più' in comparisons ('più bella dell'inverno'), not after 'preferire'.

Common mistakes

Copying the 'piacere' pattern with adorare
Mi adorano i gatti. (intended: I adore cats)
Adoro i gatti.
'Adorare' has the person as subject: 'Adoro i gatti'. 'Mi adorano i gatti' means 'Cats adore me'.
Putting 'di' before the infinitive
Amo di cantare.
Amo cantare.
'Amare', 'adorare' and 'odiare' are followed directly by the infinitive: 'Amo cantare', 'Odio aspettare'.

A1Verb usage

Potere + Infinitive

Potere + infinito

'Potere' means 'can' or 'may'. It is irregular: 'posso', 'puoi', 'può', 'possiamo', 'potete', 'possono' (note the grave accent on 'può'). The next verb stays in the infinitive and follows directly, with no 'di' or 'a': 'Posso entrare?' (May I come in?), 'Non posso venire stasera' (I can't come tonight), 'Puoi aiutarmi?' (Can you help me?). Use 'potere' for permission and for what the situation allows. For a skill you have learnt, Italian uses 'sapere' instead: 'So nuotare' (I can swim, I know how).

Key rule

'Potere' ('posso', 'puoi', 'può', 'possiamo', 'potete', 'possono') + an infinitive with no preposition, for permission and for what a situation allows: 'Posso entrare?', 'Non posso venire'. Only 'potere' changes with the person; for a skill you have learnt use 'sapere': 'So nuotare'.

Examples

Posso entrare?
Posso di entrare?
'Potere' is followed directly by the infinitive, with no 'di' in between: 'Posso entrare?' (May I come in?). The 'to' of English 'be able to' has no Italian equivalent here.
Posso andare in bagno?
Posso vado in bagno?
Only 'potere' changes with the person. The second verb stays in the infinitive: 'Posso andare', not 'Posso vado'.
Non può venire oggi.
Non puo venire oggi.
The lui / lei form 'può' is stressed on the last vowel, so it is written with a grave accent.

Common mistakes

Using potere for a learned skill
Posso parlare tre lingue. (intended: I know how to speak three languages)
So parlare tre lingue.
A skill you have learnt takes 'sapere': 'So parlare tre lingue', or simply 'Parlo tre lingue'. 'Posso' is for permission or what the situation allows.
Missing the grave accent on può
Lui puo venire.
Lui può venire.
'Può' is stressed on its last vowel and must be written with a grave accent.

A1Verb usage

Volere + Infinitive / Noun

Volere + infinito/sostantivo

'Volere' means 'to want'. It is irregular: 'voglio', 'vuoi', 'vuole', 'vogliamo', 'volete', 'vogliono'. It is followed either by a noun ('Voglio un gelato', I want an ice cream) or directly by an infinitive, with no 'di' for English 'to': 'Voglio dormire' (I want to sleep). When you ask a stranger for something, in a bar, a shop or a restaurant, Italians usually say 'vorrei' (I would like): 'Vorrei un caffè, per favore'. 'Voler bene a' + person means to love family and friends: 'Voglio bene a mia nonna' (I love my grandma).

Key rule

'Volere' ('voglio', 'vuoi', 'vuole', 'vogliamo', 'volete', 'vogliono') + a noun or an infinitive with no preposition: 'Voglio un gelato', 'Voglio partire'. Only 'volere' changes with the person; to ask a stranger politely for something, say 'vorrei': 'Vorrei un caffè, per favore'.

Examples

Mia sorella vuole un cane.
Mia sorella voglio un cane.
'Mia sorella' (my sister) takes the lui / lei form: 'vuole'. 'Voglio' is only for io.
Voglio mangiare.
Voglio di mangiare.
'Volere' is followed directly by the infinitive. English 'to' in 'want to eat' has no Italian equivalent here.
Vorrei un caffè, per favore.
When ordering in a bar or asking in a shop, Italians usually say 'Vorrei...' (I would like) or simply 'Un caffè, per favore'. 'Voglio un caffè' is grammatical, but to a stranger it can sound demanding.

Common mistakes

Putting 'di' before the infinitive
Voglio di andare al cinema.
Voglio andare al cinema.
'Volere' is followed directly by the infinitive, with no preposition.
Conjugating both verbs
Voglio vado al mare.
Voglio andare al mare.
Only 'volere' changes with the person. The verb after it stays in the infinitive: 'Voglio andare'.

A1Agreement

Grammatical Gender - Basic

Genere grammaticale - Base

Every Italian noun is either masculine or feminine; there is no neuter. The ending is a strong clue: nouns ending in -o are usually masculine ('il libro', the book), nouns ending in -a are usually feminine ('la casa', the house), and nouns ending in -e can be either ('il fiore', the flower; 'la chiave', the key). The gender decides the article and the ending of adjectives such as 'nuovo': 'il libro nuovo', 'la casa nuova'. A few common nouns break the pattern, such as 'la mano' (the hand) and 'il problema' (the problem), so always learn a noun together with its article.

Key rule

Nouns ending in -o are usually masculine ('il libro') and nouns ending in -a usually feminine ('la casa'); nouns ending in -e can be either ('il fiore', 'la chiave'), so learn every noun with its article. Common exceptions: 'la mano', 'la foto' and 'la radio' are feminine; 'il problema', 'il programma' and 'il cinema' are masculine.

Examples

il libro (m)
la libro
'libro' ends in -o and is masculine, so it takes 'il'. 'la' is the feminine article and does not fit.
la casa (f)
il casa
'casa' ends in -a and is feminine, so it takes 'la', not the masculine 'il'.
la mano (f)
il mano
'mano' (hand) ends in -o but is feminine: 'la mano', plural 'le mani'. 'il mano' follows the -o pattern and is wrong.

Common mistakes

Treating feminine nouns in -o as masculine
Mi fa male il mano.
Mi fa male la mano.
'mano' (hand) ends in -o but is feminine: 'la mano'. Shortened words also keep the feminine gender of the full word: 'la foto', 'la moto', 'la radio'.
Treating masculine nouns in -ma as feminine
Ho una problema con il computer.
Ho un problema con il computer.
'problema' ends in -a but is masculine, so it takes 'un' and 'il'. The same is true of 'il programma', 'il sistema', 'il tema' and 'il clima'.

A1Agreement

Gender Clues from Noun Endings

Indizi di genere dalle terminazioni

Some noun endings tell you the gender almost for certain, which helps most with nouns in -e and with long words. Feminine: nouns in -zione and -sione ('la lezione', the lesson; 'la televisione'), in -tà and -tù ('la città', the city; 'la virtù', virtue) and in -trice ('l'attrice', the actress). Masculine: nouns in -ore ('il dottore', 'il colore') and a group of nouns in -ma such as 'il problema' and 'il sistema'. Nouns for people in -ista have one singular form for both sexes, and the article shows who is meant: 'il turista' (a man), 'la turista' (a woman). In the plural the ending splits: 'i turisti', 'le turiste'.

Key rule

Nouns ending in -zione, -sione, -tà, -tù and -trice are feminine ('la lezione', 'la città', 'l'attrice'); nouns ending in -ore are masculine ('il dottore', 'il colore'), and so is a group of learned nouns in -ma ('il problema', 'il sistema'). Nouns for people in -ista have one singular form for both sexes, and the article shows who is meant ('il turista', 'la turista').

Examples

la lezione
il lezione
Nouns ending in -zione are feminine, so 'lezione' takes 'la'. 'il lezione' gives it the masculine article.
la televisione
il televisione
Nouns ending in -sione are feminine: 'la televisione', 'la decisione'. The final -e alone would not tell you this, but -sione does.
la città
il città
Nouns ending in -tà are feminine, so 'la città'. They also stay the same in the plural: 'le città'.

Common mistakes

Treating a noun in -zione or -sione as masculine
Il lezione comincia alle nove.
La lezione comincia alle nove.
Nouns ending in -zione and -sione are feminine: 'la lezione', 'la stazione', 'la televisione'. The -e ending alone does not tell you the gender, but these longer endings do.
Using 'la' with a noun in -ore for a woman
La professore è molto brava.
La professoressa è molto brava.
Nouns in -ore are masculine. For a woman, Italian uses a separate feminine noun: 'la professoressa', 'la dottoressa', 'l'attrice', 'la scrittrice'.

A1Agreement

Plural Formation - Basic

Formazione del plurale - Base

Italian makes plurals by changing the last vowel of the noun, never by adding -s. Nouns in -o take -i: 'il libro' → 'i libri' (the books). Feminine nouns in -a take -e: 'la casa' → 'le case' (the houses), while masculine nouns in -a take -i: 'il problema' → 'i problemi'. Nouns in -e take -i, whether masculine or feminine: 'il fiore' → 'i fiori' (the flowers), 'la notte' → 'le notti' (the nights). The article changes too: 'il' becomes 'i', 'lo' becomes 'gli' ('gli studenti'), 'la' becomes 'le', and l' becomes 'gli' for masculine nouns and 'le' for feminine ones ('gli alberi', 'le isole'). Some nouns do not change at all, and only the article shows the plural: nouns ending in a stressed vowel ('la città' → 'le città'), loanwords ending in a consonant ('il film' → 'i film') and shortened words ('la foto' → 'le foto'). A few groups also adjust their spelling, for example 'l'amica' → 'le amiche', 'il figlio' → 'i figli' and 'l'arancia' → 'le arance'.

Key rule

Change the last vowel: -o → -i ('il libro' → 'i libri'), feminine -a → -e ('la casa' → 'le case'), masculine -a → -i ('il problema' → 'i problemi'), and -e → -i for both genders ('il fiore' → 'i fiori', 'la notte' → 'le notti'); nouns ending in -ca, -ga, -co, -go, -io, -cia or -gia also follow spelling rules ('le amiche', 'i figli', 'le arance'). Nouns ending in a stressed vowel or a consonant, and shortened words, stay the same and only the article changes ('le città', 'i film', 'le foto').

Examples

il libro → i libri
il libro → i libros
Italian makes the plural by changing the last vowel, not by adding -s: -o becomes -i, so 'libri'.
la casa → le case
la casa → le casi
Feminine nouns in -a take -e in the plural: 'case'. The -i ending belongs to nouns in -o and -e, and to masculine nouns in -a such as 'problema'.
il fiore → i fiori
il fiore → i fiore
Nouns in -e change -e to -i in the plural: 'fiori'. Changing only the article and leaving 'fiore' as it is does not make a plural.

Common mistakes

Adding -s to make a plural
Ho tre libros.
Ho tre libri.
Italian plurals change the last vowel and never add -s: 'libro' → 'libri'. Adding -s is a habit carried over from English or Spanish.
Leaving a noun in the singular after a plural number
Ci sono due casa in questa strada.
Ci sono due case in questa strada.
After 'due', 'tre' or 'molti' the noun must be plural: 'la casa' → 'le case'. Only nouns that never change, such as 'città' or 'film', keep the same form.

A1Agreement

Plural Spelling Changes (-co/-go, -ca/-ga, -cio/-gio, -cia/-gia)

Plurali con cambi ortografici

Some nouns change their spelling in the plural so that the c or g keeps its sound. Before e and i, a plain c or g sounds soft (as in 'cena', 'gelato'), so Italian writes ch and gh to keep a hard sound. Nouns in -ca and -ga always add h: 'l'amica' → 'le amiche', 'la riga' → 'le righe'. Nouns in -co and -go usually keep the hard sound (-chi, -ghi) when the stress falls on the second-to-last syllable ('il lago' → 'i laghi') and soften (-ci, -gi) when it falls earlier ('il medico' → 'i medici', stressed on 'me'); the best-known exception is 'l'amico' → 'gli amici'. Nouns in -io keep just one i ('il bacio' → 'i baci', 'il figlio' → 'i figli') unless the i is stressed ('lo zio' → 'gli zii'). Nouns in -cia and -gia always keep the i when it is stressed ('la farmacia' → 'le farmacie', 'l'allergia' → 'le allergie'); otherwise they keep it after a vowel ('la camicia' → 'le camicie') and drop it after a consonant ('l'arancia' → 'le arance').

Key rule

Nouns in -ca and -ga add h in the plural ('amica' → 'amiche', 'riga' → 'righe'). Nouns in -co and -go usually take -chi, -ghi when stressed on the second-to-last syllable ('lago' → 'laghi', but 'amico' → 'amici') and -ci, -gi when stressed earlier ('medico' → 'medici'). Nouns in -io keep one i unless the i is stressed ('bacio' → 'baci', 'figlio' → 'figli', but 'zio' → 'zii'); nouns in -cia and -gia always keep a stressed i ('farmacia' → 'farmacie', 'allergia' → 'allergie'), and otherwise keep the i after a vowel ('camicia' → 'camicie') and drop it after a consonant ('arancia' → 'arance').

Examples

l'amica → le amiche
l'amica → le amice
Nouns in -ca always add h in the plural so that the c stays hard: 'amiche'. Without the h, 'amice' would be read with a soft c, as in 'cena'.
la banca → le banche
la banca → le bance
Nouns in -ca keep the c hard in the plural by adding h: 'banche'. Without the h, 'bance' would be read with a soft c, as in 'cena'.
la bottega → le botteghe
la bottega → le bottege
Nouns in -ga also add h in the plural: 'botteghe'. Without the h, the g would sound soft, as in 'gelato'.

Common mistakes

Leaving out the h in the plural of nouns in -ca and -ga
Esco con le mie amice.
Esco con le mie amiche.
Nouns in -ca and -ga always add h before the plural -e so that the c or g stays hard: 'amiche', 'banche', 'botteghe'. Without the h, the c would sound like the c in 'cena'.
Treating 'amico' like other nouns in -co
Stasera vedo gli amichi.
Stasera vedo gli amici.
'amico' is stressed on the second-to-last syllable, which normally gives -chi ('fuoco' → 'fuochi'), but its plural is 'amici'. 'nemico' → 'nemici' and 'greco' → 'greci' are the same kind of exception.

A1Agreement

Adjective Agreement - 4-ending Adjectives (-o/-a/-i/-e)

Accordo degli aggettivi a quattro uscite

Italian adjectives agree with the noun they describe, in gender (masculine or feminine) and in number (singular or plural). Adjectives that end in -o in the dictionary have four forms: -o for masculine singular, -a for feminine singular, -i for masculine plural and -e for feminine plural. With 'italiano': 'un ragazzo italiano', 'una ragazza italiana', 'due ragazzi italiani', 'due ragazze italiane'. The adjective agrees in the same way after 'essere': 'La pizza è buona.' 'I libri sono nuovi.'

Key rule

Adjectives in -o have four forms and must match the noun in gender and number: -o masculine singular, -a feminine singular, -i masculine plural, -e feminine plural ('un ragazzo alto', 'una ragazza alta', 'due ragazzi alti', 'due ragazze alte'). Follow the noun's gender, not its ending ('la chiave nuova', 'il problema serio'), use the masculine plural for a mixed group ('Anna e Marco sono alti'), and apply the noun spelling rules in the plural ('bianco' → 'bianchi', 'vecchio' → 'vecchi').

Examples

un ragazzo italiano
un ragazzo italiana
'ragazzo' is masculine singular, so the adjective ends in -o: 'italiano'. 'italiana' is the feminine form.
una ragazza italiana
una ragazza italiano
'ragazza' is feminine singular, so the adjective ends in -a: 'italiana'. 'italiano' is the masculine form.
i ragazzi italiani
i ragazzi italiane
'ragazzi' is masculine plural, so the adjective ends in -i: 'italiani'. 'italiane' is the feminine plural.

Common mistakes

Leaving the adjective in the masculine with a feminine noun
Mia sorella è alto.
Mia sorella è alta.
The adjective takes the gender of the noun or person it describes. 'sorella' is feminine, so 'alta'. English adjectives never change, so this ending is easy to forget.
Keeping the singular ending with a plural noun
Ho due amici italiano.
Ho due amici italiani.
With a plural noun the adjective must be plural too: -i for masculine ('amici italiani'), -e for feminine ('amiche italiane').

A1Agreement

Adjective Agreement - 2-ending Adjectives (-e / -i)

Accordo degli aggettivi a due uscite

Adjectives that end in -e in the dictionary have only two forms: -e in the singular and -i in the plural, the same for masculine and feminine. With 'gentile' (kind): 'un ragazzo gentile', 'una ragazza gentile', 'due ragazzi gentili', 'due ragazze gentili'. Common examples are 'grande' (big), 'felice' (happy), 'intelligente', 'importante', 'interessante', 'facile' (easy), 'difficile', 'verde' (green) and 'inglese' (English). Watch the feminine plural: it ends in -i too, so 'le ragazze intelligenti', not 'intelligente'.

Key rule

Adjectives in -e have two forms, the same for masculine and feminine: -e in the singular and -i in the plural ('un ragazzo gentile', 'una ragazza gentile', 'ragazzi gentili', 'ragazze gentili'). The feminine plural also ends in -i: 'le ragazze intelligenti', not 'intelligente'.

Examples

una ragazza intelligente
una ragazza intelligenta
'intelligente' ends in -e, so it has one singular form for both genders: 'un ragazzo intelligente', 'una ragazza intelligente'. There is no feminine form in -a.
le ragazze intelligenti
le ragazze intelligente
The plural of an -e adjective is -i for feminine nouns too: 'le ragazze intelligenti'. 'intelligente' is the singular.
Il libro è interessante.
Il libro è interessanto.
'interessante' ends in -e and has no form in -o, even with a masculine noun like 'libro'.

Common mistakes

Giving an -e adjective a feminine form in -a
Mia sorella è molto intelligenta.
Mia sorella è molto intelligente.
Adjectives in -e have one singular form for both genders: 'un ragazzo intelligente', 'una ragazza intelligente'. Forms in -a or -o do not exist.
Using -e as the feminine plural of an -e adjective
Le ragazze sono intelligente.
Le ragazze sono intelligenti.
The plural of an -e adjective is -i, for feminine nouns too. The feminine plural -e belongs only to adjectives in -o ('le ragazze italiane').

A1Agreement

Adjective Position (usually after noun; common pre-noun adjectives)

Posizione dell'aggettivo - Base

Most Italian adjectives go after the noun, the opposite of English: 'una macchina rossa' (a red car), 'un libro italiano' (an Italian book), 'una ragazza simpatica' (a nice girl). A small group of short, very common adjectives usually goes before the noun: 'bello', 'brutto', 'buono', 'cattivo', 'bravo', 'grande', 'piccolo', 'giovane', 'vecchio', 'nuovo' and 'vero', as in 'una bella casa' (a lovely house) and 'un piccolo problema' (a small problem). Before a masculine singular noun, 'bello' changes like the definite article and 'buono' like 'un' / 'uno': 'un bel libro' (a good book, as in 'il libro'), 'un bell'albergo' (a lovely hotel, as in 'l'albergo'), 'un buon amico' (a good friend, as in 'un amico'). Words for quantity and order also come first: 'molti libri' (many books), 'tre amici' (three friends), 'il primo giorno' (the first day). An adjective with 'molto' (very) goes after the noun: 'una città molto grande' (a very big city).

Key rule

Most adjectives go after the noun ('una macchina rossa', 'un libro italiano'), and so does any adjective with 'molto' (very): 'una città molto grande'. A short list of common adjectives ('bello', 'brutto', 'buono', 'cattivo', 'bravo', 'grande', 'piccolo', 'giovane', 'vecchio', 'nuovo', 'vero') usually goes before the noun, as do words for quantity, number and order ('una bella casa', 'molti libri', 'il primo giorno'); before a masculine singular noun, 'bello' changes like the definite article ('un bel libro', 'un bell'albergo', 'un bello zaino') and 'buono' like 'un' / 'uno' ('un buon amico', 'un buono studente').

Examples

una macchina rossa
una rossa macchina
Colour adjectives go after the noun: 'una macchina rossa' (a red car). Putting 'rossa' first copies the English word order.
un libro italiano
un italiano libro
Nationality adjectives go after the noun: 'un libro italiano' (an Italian book). 'un italiano libro' follows the English order and is wrong.
un bel libro
'bello' is one of the common adjectives that usually go before the noun. Before 'libro' it becomes 'bel', just as the article is 'il' ('il libro'): 'un bel libro' (a good book). 'un libro bello' is also correct; after the noun the adjective keeps its full form and carries more weight.

Common mistakes

Putting colour or nationality adjectives before the noun
Mia sorella ha una rossa macchina.
Mia sorella ha una macchina rossa.
Colour and nationality adjectives go after the noun in Italian: 'una macchina rossa', 'un libro italiano'. Putting them first copies the English word order.
Putting quantity words after the noun
Ho libri molti.
Ho molti libri.
Quantity words such as 'molti' (many), 'tanti' (lots of), 'pochi' (few), 'alcuni' (some) and 'qualche' (a few, followed by a singular noun: 'qualche libro') go before the noun. They do not follow the pattern of ordinary adjectives.

A1Determiners

Definite Articles - Full Paradigm (il, lo, l', la, i, gli, le)

Articoli determinativi

Italian has seven forms of 'the'. The choice depends on the gender and number of the noun and on the sound that comes right after the article. Masculine singular: 'il' before most consonants ('il libro'), 'lo' before s + consonant, z, gn, ps and x ('lo studente', 'lo zaino'), and 'l'' before a vowel ('l'amico'). Masculine plural: 'i' where the singular has 'il' ('i libri'), and 'gli' where it has 'lo' or 'l'' ('gli studenti', 'gli amici'). Feminine: 'la' before a consonant ('la casa') and 'l'' before a vowel ('l'amica'); the plural is always 'le' ('le case', 'le amiche').

Key rule

Masculine: 'il' / 'i' before most consonants ('il libro', 'i libri'); 'lo' / 'gli' before s + consonant, z, gn, ps and x ('lo studente', 'gli studenti'); 'l'' / 'gli' before a vowel ('l'amico', 'gli amici'). Feminine: 'la' / 'le', with 'l'' before a vowel in the singular only ('la casa', 'l'amica', 'le amiche'). The sound right after the article decides: 'lo studente' but 'il nuovo studente'.

Examples

il libro
lo libro
'libro' is masculine and starts with a plain consonant, so it takes 'il'. 'lo' goes before s + consonant, z, gn, ps and x, as in 'lo studente' and 'lo zaino'.
lo studente
il studente
'studente' starts with s + consonant (st-), so it takes 'lo', not 'il'.
lo zaino
il zaino
Masculine nouns that start with z take 'lo': 'lo zaino' (the backpack), 'lo zio' (the uncle).

Common mistakes

Using 'il' before s + consonant or z
Il studente nuovo si chiama Marco.
Lo studente nuovo si chiama Marco.
Masculine singular nouns that start with s + consonant, z, gn, ps or x take 'lo', not 'il': 'lo studente', 'lo zaino', 'lo psicologo'.
Using 'i' instead of 'gli' in the masculine plural
Stasera esco con i amici.
Stasera esco con gli amici.
Masculine plural nouns that start with a vowel or with the 'lo' sounds (s + consonant, z, gn, ps, x) take 'gli': 'gli amici', 'gli studenti', 'gli zaini'.

A1Determiners

Indefinite Articles (un, uno, una, un')

Articoli indeterminativi

The indefinite article ('a', 'an') has four forms. Masculine: 'un' before most words, including words that start with a vowel ('un libro', 'un amico'), and 'uno' before s + consonant, z, gn, ps and x ('uno studente', 'uno zaino'). Feminine: 'una' before any consonant ('una casa', 'una studentessa'), and 'un'' with an apostrophe before a vowel ('un'amica', 'un'ora'). So 'un amico' (masculine) has no apostrophe, but 'un'amica' (feminine) does.

Key rule

Masculine: 'uno' before s + consonant, z, gn, ps and x ('uno studente', 'uno zaino'), 'un' before everything else, vowels included ('un libro', 'un amico'). Feminine: 'una' before a consonant ('una casa'), 'un'' before a vowel ('un'amica'). Only the feminine form takes an apostrophe.

Examples

un libro
uno libro
'libro' is masculine and starts with a plain consonant, so it takes 'un'. 'uno' goes before s + consonant, z, gn, ps and x, as in 'uno studente' and 'uno zaino'.
un amico
un'amico
'amico' is masculine, and masculine 'un' never takes an apostrophe, even before a vowel. 'un'amico' is a very common spelling mistake.
uno studente
un studente
'studente' starts with s + consonant, so it takes 'uno', just as it takes 'lo' ('lo studente').

Common mistakes

Adding an apostrophe to masculine 'un' before a vowel
Ho un'amico a Milano.
Ho un amico a Milano.
Masculine 'un' never takes an apostrophe: 'un amico', 'un uomo', 'un albero'. The apostrophe only appears when feminine 'una' loses its -a: 'un'amica'.
Leaving out the apostrophe with a feminine noun
Ci vediamo tra un ora.
Ci vediamo tra un'ora.
Before a vowel, feminine 'una' becomes 'un'' with an apostrophe: 'un'ora', 'un'amica', 'un'idea'.

A1Determiners

Partitive Articles (del, dello, della, dei, degli, delle)

Articoli partitivi

The partitive article means 'some'. It is 'di' joined to the definite article, so it has the same seven shapes and follows the same rules: 'del pane' (some bread), 'dello zucchero' (some sugar), 'dell'acqua' (some water), 'della frutta' (some fruit), 'dei libri' (some books), 'degli amici' (some friends), 'delle mele' (some apples). In the singular it goes with things you do not count; in the plural it works as the plural of 'un' / 'una'. It is often optional ('Ho del pane' or 'Ho pane'), and in negative sentences it is normally dropped: 'Non ho pane' (I don't have any bread).

Key rule

Partitive = 'di' + definite article: 'del', 'dello', 'dell'', 'della', 'dei', 'degli', 'delle', chosen exactly like 'il', 'lo', 'l'', 'la', 'i', 'gli', 'le' ('del pane', 'degli amici', 'delle mele'). It means 'some', is often optional, and is normally left out in negative sentences ('Non ho pane').

Examples

Ho del pane.
Ho di il pane.
'di' and 'il' always fuse into one word: 'del pane' (some bread). 'Ho pane', with no article at all, is also correct.
Voglio dell'acqua.
Voglio della acqua.
'acqua' is feminine and starts with a vowel, so 'della' drops its -a and takes an apostrophe, just as 'la' becomes 'l'' ('l'acqua').
Compriamo dello zucchero.
Compriamo del zucchero.
'zucchero' starts with z and takes 'lo' ('lo zucchero'), so the partitive is 'dello', not 'del'.

Common mistakes

Using 'di' alone for 'some'
Vorrei di pane, per favore.
Vorrei del pane, per favore.
'di' alone means 'of'. For 'some' you need 'di' fused with the article: 'del pane', 'dell'acqua', 'delle mele'.
Writing 'di' and the article as two words
Ho di gli amici a Roma.
Ho degli amici a Roma.
'di' always fuses with the article: di + il = 'del', di + lo = 'dello', di + la = 'della', di + i = 'dei', di + gli = 'degli', di + le = 'delle'.

A1Determiners

Demonstratives (questo, quello) - Adjective Forms

Dimostrativi questo/quello

'Questo' means 'this' (plural 'these') and points to something near you; 'quello' means 'that' (plural 'those') and points to something further away. 'Questo' changes like an ordinary adjective in -o: 'questo libro', 'questa casa', 'questi libri', 'queste case'. 'Quello' before a noun changes like the definite article it replaces: 'quel libro' (il libro), 'quello studente' (lo studente), 'quell'amico' (l'amico), 'quei libri' (i libri), 'quegli amici' (gli amici), 'quella casa' (la casa), 'quelle case' (le case). A demonstrative takes the place of the article: 'questo libro', not 'il questo libro'.

Key rule

'Questo' (this, these) has four forms: 'questo', 'questa', 'questi', 'queste'. 'Quello' (that, those) before a noun takes the form of the definite article it replaces: il → 'quel', lo → 'quello', l' → 'quell'', i → 'quei', gli → 'quegli', la → 'quella', le → 'quelle'. A demonstrative is used instead of the article, never together with it.

Examples

questo libro
il questo libro
A demonstrative takes the place of the article, so 'questo libro' (this book) has no 'il'.
questa casa
questo casa
'casa' is feminine singular, so the demonstrative is 'questa', not 'questo'.
questi ragazzi
questo ragazzi
'ragazzi' is masculine plural, so the demonstrative is plural too: 'questi'.

Common mistakes

Using a demonstrative together with the article
Quanto costa la quella borsa?
Quanto costa quella borsa?
A demonstrative takes the place of the article, so never use both: 'quella borsa', 'questo libro'.
Using 'quello' before every masculine noun
Chi è quello ragazzo?
Chi è quel ragazzo?
Before a noun, 'quello' changes like the definite article: 'quel' where you would say 'il' ('quel ragazzo'), 'quello' where you would say 'lo' ('quello studente'), 'quell'' before a vowel ('quell'amico'), and in the plural 'quei', 'quegli' and 'quelle'.

A1Determiners

Possessives with Definite Article (il mio, la mia, i miei, le mie...)

Aggettivi possessivi con articolo

Italian possessives ('mio' my, 'tuo' your, 'suo' his or her, 'nostro' our, 'vostro' your when talking to several people, 'loro' their) normally come after the definite article: 'il mio libro' (my book). The article and the possessive agree in gender and number with the thing owned, not with the owner: 'il mio libro', 'la mia casa', 'i miei amici', 'le mie chiavi' (my keys). So 'la sua borsa' can mean his bag or her bag. 'loro' never changes: 'il loro cane', 'le loro case'. The main exception: a singular family noun with nothing added to it drops the article ('mio padre', 'tua sorella'), but 'loro' always keeps it ('il loro padre'), and so does a family noun with a diminutive ending ('la mia sorellina', my little sister).

Key rule

The possessive normally follows the definite article, and both agree with the thing owned, not with the owner: 'il mio libro', 'la mia casa', 'i miei amici', 'le mie chiavi'. 'loro' (their) never changes ('il loro cane', 'le loro case'), and a singular family noun with nothing added to it drops the article ('mio padre', 'tua sorella'), but not with 'loro' or a diminutive ('il loro padre', 'la mia sorellina').

Examples

il mio libro
mio libro
Possessives normally need the definite article in front: 'il mio libro' (my book). 'mio libro' copies English and is wrong.
la mia casa
mia casa
'casa' is feminine and not a family noun, so it takes the article: 'la mia casa'. The fixed phrase 'a casa mia' (at my place) is different: the possessive follows the noun, with no article.
i miei amici
i mii amici
The masculine plural of 'mio' is irregular: 'miei', not 'mii'. The same happens with 'tuoi' and 'suoi'.

Common mistakes

Leaving out the article before the possessive
Dov'è mia borsa?
Dov'è la mia borsa?
Possessives normally need the definite article: 'la mia borsa', 'il mio libro'. 'borsa' is not a family noun, so it keeps the article. The article is left out in a few fixed phrases ('a casa mia') and with a singular family noun that has nothing added to it ('mio padre', 'tua sorella'), but never with 'loro' ('il loro padre').
Making the possessive agree with the owner
Maria ha perso la sua libro.
Maria ha perso il suo libro.
The possessive agrees with the thing owned, not with the owner. 'libro' is masculine, so it is 'il suo libro', even though Maria is a woman.

A1Pronouns

Subject Pronouns (io, tu, lui/lei/Lei, noi, voi, loro) and pro-drop

Pronomi soggetto e soggetto nullo

Italian has eight subject pronouns: 'io' (I), 'tu' (you, to one person you know well), 'lui' (he), 'lei' (she), 'Lei' (you, polite, to one person), 'noi' (we), 'voi' (you, to two or more people) and 'loro' (they). Italian usually leaves them out, because the verb ending already shows who is doing the action: 'Parlo italiano' (I speak Italian), 'Abitiamo a Roma' (we live in Rome). 'Io parlo italiano' is also correct, but it stresses 'I'. Use the pronoun when it adds something: a contrast ('Io lavoro, tu riposi'), clarity about who you mean ('Lui è italiano, lei è francese'), or a sentence with no verb ('E tu?', 'Anch'io'). When 'anche' (too) refers to the subject, the pronoun is needed even with a verb: 'Anch'io vengo' (I'm coming too), not 'Anche vengo'.

Key rule

The subject pronouns are 'io', 'tu', 'lui', 'lei', polite 'Lei', 'noi', 'voi' and 'loro'. The verb ending already shows the subject ('parlo', 'parli', 'parliamo'; 'lui', 'lei' and 'Lei' share 'parla'), so normally leave the pronoun out ('Parlo italiano'); use it for contrast, for clarity, after 'anche' meaning 'too' ('Anch'io vengo'), or when there is no verb ('E tu?').

Examples

Parlo italiano.
The ending -o already shows that the subject is 'io', so Italian normally leaves the pronoun out. 'Io parlo italiano' is also correct, but it stresses 'I', for example in contrast with someone else.
Io vivo a Roma, tu vivi a Milano.
Io vivo a Roma, tu vive a Milano.
The pronouns are useful here because the sentence contrasts two people, but each one still needs its own ending: 'tu vivi'. 'vive' is the form for 'lui', 'lei' and 'Lei'.
Lui è italiano, lei è francese.
È italiano, è francese. (intended: he is Italian, she is French)
'lui' and 'lei' share the verb form 'è', so the pronouns show that you mean two different people. Without them the sentence sounds like one person who is both Italian and French.

Common mistakes

Using 'tu' with the polite verb form
Scusi, tu è italiano?
Scusi, Lei è italiano?
'è' is the form for 'lui', 'lei' and polite 'Lei', so it never goes with 'tu'. 'Scusi' shows that you are being polite, so use 'Lei è'; with a friend you would say 'Scusa, sei italiano?'
Saying 'È me' for 'it's me'
— Chi è? — È me, Marco!
— Chi è? — Sono io, Marco!
In Italian the pronoun is the subject and the verb agrees with it: 'Sono io' (it's me), 'Sei tu?' (is it you?), 'Siamo noi' (it's us). 'È me' copies English word for word and is wrong.

A1Pronouns

Formal Lei (3rd-person singular as formal 'you')

Il Lei di cortesia

To speak politely to one person you do not know well (a shop assistant, a doctor, an older stranger), Italian uses 'Lei', often written with a capital L. 'Lei' takes the same verb form as 'lui' and 'lei' (he, she): 'Lei parla inglese?' (do you speak English?), 'Lei è di qui?' (are you from here?). The other polite forms follow the same pattern: 'La' (you, as an object), 'Le' (to you), 'Suo' / 'Sua' (your) and 'si' with reflexive verbs ('Come si chiama?', what is your name?). Like 'io' and 'tu', 'Lei' itself is often left out when it is clear that you are talking to the person: 'Come sta?' (how are you?), 'Parla inglese?' (do you speak English?). Adjectives agree with the real person: 'Lei è stanco?' to a man, 'Lei è stanca?' to a woman. Use 'tu' with friends, family and children, and 'voi' for two or more people in any situation.

Key rule

Use 'Lei' for a polite 'you' to one person, with the verb form of 'lui' and 'lei' ('Lei parla', 'Lei è') and the matching forms 'La' (you), 'Le' (to you), 'Suo' (your) and 'si' ('Come si chiama?'); adjectives agree with the person ('Lei è stanco?' to a man). For two or more people, use 'voi' in any situation.

Examples

Lei parla italiano?
Lei parli italiano?
Polite 'Lei' takes the verb form of 'lui' and 'lei': 'parla'. 'parli' is the 'tu' form and does not go with 'Lei'.
Scusi, Lei è il signor Rossi?
Scusi, tu sei il signor Rossi?
A stranger you call 'signor Rossi' gets 'Lei', and 'Scusi' is already the polite form ('Scusa' is the tu form). Switching to 'tu sei' in the same sentence does not fit.
Le mando un'email, signor Bianchi.
Ti mando un'email, signor Bianchi.
'mandare' takes 'to you', and the polite 'to you' is 'Le'. 'ti' belongs to 'tu', which does not fit someone you call 'signor Bianchi'.

Common mistakes

Using tu verb forms with 'Lei'
Lei hai una prenotazione?
Lei ha una prenotazione?
Polite 'Lei' takes the verb form of 'lui' and 'lei' ('ha', 'è', 'parla', 'viene'), never the tu forms ('hai', 'sei', 'parli', 'vieni').
Using 'ti' instead of 'La' or 'Le'
Ti ringrazio, dottor Rossi.
La ringrazio, dottor Rossi.
The polite object forms are 'La' for 'you' ('La ringrazio', 'La chiamo') and 'Le' for 'to you' ('Le scrivo', 'Le mando'). 'ti' belongs to 'tu', which does not fit 'dottor Rossi'.

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A1Pronouns

Tonic/Stressed Pronouns (me, te, lui, lei, noi, voi, loro)

Pronomi tonici

Tonic (stressed) pronouns are the full pronouns you use after a preposition: 'me', 'te', 'lui', 'lei', 'Lei', 'noi', 'voi', 'loro'. Only 'me' and 'te' differ from the subject pronouns 'io' and 'tu': 'Vieni con me?' (are you coming with me?), 'Questo è per te' (this is for you), 'Esco con lui' (I'm going out with him). Use them also in comparisons ('più alto di te', taller than you), alone in place of an object ('— Chi cerchi? — Te.', who are you looking for? You.), and with 'a' to stress a person: 'A me piace il mare' means the same as 'Mi piace il mare' (I like the sea), but it stresses 'me'.

Key rule

Use the tonic pronouns 'me', 'te', 'lui', 'lei', 'Lei', 'noi', 'voi', 'loro' (and 'sé' for 'himself', 'herself', 'themselves') after a preposition, in comparisons, to stress a person, or alone in place of an object: 'con me', 'per te', 'più alto di lui', 'A me piace', '— Chi cerchi? — Te.' Only 'me' and 'te' differ from the subject forms, so never 'con io' or 'per tu'; 'senza', 'dopo', 'contro' and 'su' usually add 'di' ('senza di me', 'su di lui').

Examples

Vieni con me?
Vieni con io?
After a preposition such as 'con', 'I' is 'me'. 'io' is only a subject form and never follows a preposition.
Questo è per te.
Questo è per tu.
After 'per', 'you' is 'te'. 'tu' is only a subject form.
Stasera esco con lei.
Stasera esco con la.
After a preposition, the third-person forms look like the subject pronouns: 'con lei', 'da lui', 'per loro'. 'la' is a short object pronoun that stands before a verb ('La vedo'), never after a preposition.

Common mistakes

Using 'io' or 'tu' after a preposition
Stasera vengo da tu.
Stasera vengo da te.
After a preposition, 'I' is 'me' and 'you' is 'te': 'da te' (to your place), 'con me', 'per te'. 'io' and 'tu' are only subject forms.
Using a short object pronoun after a preposition
Questo caffè è per ti.
Questo caffè è per te.
'mi', 'ti', 'lo' and 'la' stand before a verb ('Ti offro un caffè'). After a preposition use the tonic forms: 'per te', 'con me', 'da lui'.

A1Pronouns

Direct Object Pronouns (mi, ti, lo, la, ci, vi, li, le)

Pronomi diretti

A direct object pronoun replaces the person or thing that receives the action, with no preposition: 'Vedo Marco' → 'Lo vedo' (I see him). The forms are 'mi' (me), 'ti' (you), 'lo' (him, it), 'la' (her, it; polite 'La', you), 'ci' (us), 'vi' (you, plural), 'li' (them, masculine or mixed) and 'le' (them, feminine). For 'it' and 'them', match the noun you replace: 'il libro' → 'lo', 'la pizza' → 'la', 'i libri' → 'li', 'le chiavi' → 'le'. The pronoun goes right before the conjugated verb, after 'non': 'Non lo vedo' (I don't see him).

Key rule

Direct object pronouns ('mi', 'ti', 'lo', 'la', 'ci', 'vi', 'li', 'le'; polite 'La') go right before the conjugated verb, after 'non' ('Non lo vedo'), and match the noun they replace ('la pizza' → 'la', 'i libri' → 'li', 'le chiavi' → 'le'). 'lo' and 'la' shorten to l' before the forms of 'avere' ('L'ho visto') and often before other vowels ('L'aspetto'); 'li' and 'le' never do.

Examples

Lo vedo.
Vedo lo.
With a conjugated verb, the object pronoun goes right before it: 'Lo vedo' (I see him, or I see it). English puts 'him' after the verb; in Italian 'Vedo lo' is wrong.
— Mangi la pizza? — Sì, la mangio.
— Mangi la pizza? — Sì, lo mangio.
'la pizza' is feminine singular, so 'it' is 'la'. 'lo' replaces masculine singular nouns: 'il gelato' → 'Lo mangio'.
— Conosci le mie sorelle? — Sì, le conosco.
— Conosci le mie sorelle? — Sì, li conosco.
'le mie sorelle' is feminine plural, so 'them' is 'le'. 'li' is for masculine plural nouns and mixed groups: 'i tuoi fratelli' → 'Li conosco'.

Common mistakes

Putting the object pronoun after a conjugated verb
Conosco lo bene.
Lo conosco bene.
With a conjugated verb, the object pronoun goes right before it: 'Lo conosco', 'La mangio', 'Ti amo'. English puts 'him' after the verb; Italian does not.
Using a stressed pronoun as a plain object
— Conosci Sara? — Sì, conosco lei.
— Conosci Sara? — Sì, la conosco.
Without stress or contrast, the object is a short pronoun before the verb: 'la conosco', 'lo vedo'. 'conosco lei' stresses 'her' (as in 'Conosco lei, non sua sorella') and sounds odd as a plain answer.

A1Pronouns

Indirect Object Pronouns (mi, ti, gli, le, ci, vi, gli/loro)

Pronomi indiretti

An indirect object pronoun replaces 'a' + a person: 'Telefono a Maria' → 'Le telefono' (I phone her). The forms are 'mi' (to me), 'ti' (to you), 'gli' (to him), 'le' (to her), polite 'Le' (to you), 'ci' (to us), 'vi' (to you, plural) and 'gli' (to them). Only the third person differs from the direct object pronouns: 'Lo vedo' (I see him), but 'Gli parlo' (I talk to him). They go right before the conjugated verb, after 'non': 'Non gli scrivo' (I don't write to him). Typical verbs with 'a' + person are 'telefonare', 'parlare', 'scrivere', 'rispondere', 'dare', 'dire' and 'piacere' ('Mi piace', I like it). 'pensare a' (to think of) is different: it keeps 'a' + tonic pronoun, 'Penso a lei' (I'm thinking of her).

Key rule

Indirect object pronouns replace 'a' + person: 'mi', 'ti', 'gli' (to him), 'le' (to her; polite 'Le', to you), 'ci', 'vi', 'gli' (to them). They go right before the conjugated verb, after 'non' ('Non gli scrivo'); 'gli' and 'le' never shorten to l' ('Gli ho scritto', 'Le ho scritto'). Use them with verbs such as 'telefonare', 'parlare', 'scrivere', 'rispondere', 'dare', 'dire' and 'piacere' ('Le telefono', not 'La telefono'), but not with 'pensare a' (to think of), which keeps 'a' + tonic pronoun: 'Penso a lei' (I'm thinking of her).

Examples

Gli parlo ogni giorno.
Lo parlo ogni giorno. (intended: I talk to him every day)
'parlare' takes 'a' + person ('Parlo a Marco'), so 'to him' is 'gli'. 'Lo parlo' means 'I speak it', for example a language: 'L'inglese? Lo parlo ogni giorno.'
Le telefono stasera.
La telefono stasera.
'telefonare' takes 'a' + person ('Telefono a Maria'), so 'to her' is 'le'. English says 'I'll call her', but 'la' is a direct object and does not go with 'telefonare'; with 'chiamare' it does: 'La chiamo stasera'.
Ti scrivo un'email.
Scrivo te un'email.
'to you' is 'ti', placed before the verb: 'Ti scrivo un'email' (I'll write you an email). The tonic 'te' can be an indirect object only with 'a' in front, to stress the person: 'Scrivo a te, non a lui'. 'Scrivo te' copies English 'I write you' and is wrong.

Common mistakes

Using 'lo' or 'la' with verbs that take 'a' + person
Lo telefono domani.
Gli telefono domani.
'telefonare' takes 'a' + person ('Telefono a Luca'), so 'to him' is 'gli'. 'lo' and 'la' are direct objects ('Lo chiamo domani'). Other everyday verbs with 'a' + person: 'parlare', 'scrivere', 'rispondere', 'dare', 'dire'.
Shortening 'le' or 'gli' before 'ho'
L'ho scritto ieri. (intended: I wrote to her yesterday)
Le ho scritto ieri.
Indirect 'le' and 'gli' never shorten: 'Le ho scritto' (I wrote to her), 'Gli ho scritto' (I wrote to him). 'L'ho scritto' means 'I wrote it'.

A1Pronouns

Reflexive Pronouns (mi, ti, si, ci, vi, si)

Pronomi riflessivi

Reflexive pronouns show that the subject does the action to itself: 'Mi lavo' (I wash myself). The forms are 'mi' (myself), 'ti' (yourself), 'si' (himself, herself; polite yourself), 'ci' (ourselves), 'vi' (yourselves) and 'si' (themselves). Many everyday verbs use them where English has no 'myself': 'Mi chiamo Anna' (my name is Anna), 'Mi sveglio alle sette' (I wake up at seven), 'Ti diverti?' (are you having fun?). The pronoun goes right before the conjugated verb, after 'non': 'Non mi alzo presto' (I don't get up early). With body parts, Italian uses the article, not 'my': 'Mi lavo le mani' (I wash my hands).

Key rule

Reflexive verbs use a pronoun that matches the subject: 'mi', 'ti', 'si', 'ci', 'vi', 'si' ('mi chiamo', 'ti chiami', 'si chiama', 'ci chiamiamo', 'vi chiamate', 'si chiamano'). It goes right before the conjugated verb, after 'non' ('Non mi alzo'); 'si' is only for the third person and polite 'Lei'. With body parts use the article, not a possessive: 'Mi lavo le mani'.

Examples

Mi chiamo Anna.
Chiamo Anna. (intended: my name is Anna)
'My name is' uses the reflexive verb 'chiamarsi', so you need 'mi': 'Mi chiamo Anna'. Without it, 'Chiamo Anna' means 'I call Anna'.
Come ti chiami?
Come si chiami?
With 'tu' the pronoun is 'ti', as in 'Come ti chiami?' (what's your name?). 'si' goes with 'lui', 'lei' and polite 'Lei': 'Come si chiama?'
Lui si sveglia tardi.
Lui ti sveglia tardi. (intended: he wakes up late)
For 'he' the reflexive pronoun is 'si': 'si sveglia' (he wakes up). 'Lui ti sveglia tardi' means 'he wakes you up late'.

Common mistakes

Leaving out the reflexive pronoun
Sveglio alle sette. (intended: I wake up at seven)
Mi sveglio alle sette.
'svegliare' without a pronoun means to wake someone else up ('Sveglio i bambini'). For 'I wake up', use the reflexive verb 'svegliarsi': 'Mi sveglio alle sette'.
Using 'si' with 'noi' or 'voi'
Noi si vediamo domani.
Noi ci vediamo domani.
'si' is only for the third person ('lui', 'lei', 'Lei', 'loro'). With 'noi' the pronoun is 'ci' and with 'voi' it is 'vi': 'Ci vediamo domani', 'Vi divertite?'

A1Pronouns

Possessives as Pronouns (il mio è rosso)

Possessivi come pronomi

To say 'mine', 'yours', 'his' and so on, Italian uses the possessive with its article and no noun: 'La mia macchina è nuova, la tua è vecchia' (my car is new, yours is old). The possessive agrees with the thing owned, not with the owner: 'il mio' for a masculine noun, 'la mia' for a feminine one, 'i miei', 'le mie' in the plural. The other forms are 'tuo', 'suo' (his, hers; polite 'Suo', yours), 'nostro', 'vostro' and 'loro', which never changes ('il loro', 'la loro'). After 'essere' you can leave out the article to say who owns something: 'Questo libro è mio' (this book is mine).

Key rule

To say 'mine', 'yours' and so on, use the possessive with its article and no noun, agreeing with the thing owned, not the owner: 'il mio', 'la mia', 'i miei', 'le mie' ('La mia casa è più grande della tua'). After 'essere' you can leave out the article to say who owns something ('Questo libro è mio'); 'loro' never changes ('il loro', 'la loro').

Examples

Questa macchina è la mia.
Questa macchina è il mio.
'macchina' is feminine, so 'mine' is 'la mia'. The possessive agrees with the thing owned, never with the owner.
La mia è rossa, la tua è blu.
Mia è rossa, tua è blu.
A possessive that stands for a noun keeps its article: 'la mia' and 'la tua' (mine, yours) replace a feminine noun such as 'bici'. 'Mia è rossa' without the article is not Italian.
Questo libro è mio.
Questo libro è di me.
After 'essere', 'mine' is 'mio', agreeing with 'libro'; 'Questo libro è il mio' is also correct and picks out your copy from others. 'di me' is never used for ownership.

Common mistakes

Leaving out the article before a possessive pronoun
Il mio telefono è nero, tuo è bianco.
Il mio telefono è nero, il tuo è bianco.
A possessive that stands for a noun keeps its article: 'il tuo' replaces 'il tuo telefono'. You can leave the article out only when you say who owns something: 'Il telefono bianco è tuo'.
Using 'mio' with a feminine article
La sua macchina è rossa, la mio è blu.
La sua macchina è rossa, la mia è blu.
'la mia' stands for 'la mia macchina', so the article and the possessive are both feminine: 'la mia', not 'la mio'.

A1Pronouns

Interrogative Pronouns/Adjectives (chi, che, che cosa, quale, quanto)

Pronomi e aggettivi interrogativi

Use 'chi' (who) for people: 'Chi è?' (who is it?), 'Con chi esci?' (who are you going out with?), 'Di chi è?' (whose is it?). Use 'cosa', 'che cosa' or 'che' (what) for things and actions; all three are correct: 'Cosa fai?', 'Che cosa fai?', 'Che fai?' (what are you doing?). Use 'quale' (which) to choose between options; it has two forms, 'quale' and 'quali': 'Quale preferisci?' (which one do you prefer?), 'Quali libri?' (which books?). 'quanto' (how much, how many) agrees with its noun: 'quanto pane', 'quanta pasta', 'quanti anni', 'quante sorelle'. Before 'è', 'quale' becomes 'qual' with no apostrophe. 'Qual è' also translates 'what is' when you ask for one piece of information, such as a name, a number or an address: 'Qual è il tuo numero?' (what's your number?). 'Cos'è' asks what something is: 'Cos'è la grappa?' (what is grappa?).

Key rule

'chi' (who) is for people and never changes ('Di chi è?' = whose is it?); 'cosa', 'che cosa' and 'che' (what) are for things and actions; 'quale' (which) has two forms, 'quale' and 'quali'; 'quanto' (how much, how many) agrees with its noun ('quanti anni', 'quante sorelle'). To ask for one piece of information such as a name, a number or an address, 'what is' is 'qual è', with no apostrophe ('Qual è il tuo indirizzo?'); 'Cos'è?' asks what something is.

Examples

Chi è quel ragazzo?
Che è quel ragazzo? (intended: who is that boy?)
To ask about a person, use 'chi' (who). 'che' means 'what', so 'Che è quel ragazzo?' does not ask who he is.
Con chi vai al cinema?
Con che vai al cinema? (intended: who are you going to the cinema with?)
After a preposition, 'who' is still 'chi': 'con chi', 'a chi', 'per chi'. 'Con che vai?' asks what you are going with, for example by bus or by car.
Cosa mangi stasera?
Chi mangi stasera? (intended: what are you eating tonight?)
For things, use 'cosa', 'che cosa' or 'che'; all three are standard ('Che cosa mangi?', 'Che mangi?'). 'chi' asks about people, so 'Chi mangi?' means 'who are you eating?'

Common mistakes

Using 'chi' for things
Chi fai stasera? (intended: what are you doing tonight?)
Cosa fai stasera?
'chi' asks about people only, so 'Chi fai stasera?' could only mean 'who are you playing tonight?', as an actor might be asked. For things and actions use 'cosa', 'che cosa' or 'che': 'Cosa fai stasera?'
Using 'Chi è' to ask who several people are
Chi è quei ragazzi?
Chi sono quei ragazzi?
'chi' itself never changes, but when you ask who someone is, 'essere' agrees with the person or people you ask about: 'Chi è quel ragazzo?', 'Chi sono quei ragazzi?'

A1Prepositions

Preposition Di - Basic Uses (possession, origin, material, topic)

Preposizione di - Base

'Di' (of) is the most common Italian preposition, and at A1 you need six of its uses. It names the owner: Italian has no 's, so the thing comes first, then 'di' and the owner, as in 'il libro di Marco' (Marco's book). 'Whose?' is 'Di chi?' With 'essere', it gives your home town: 'Sono di Roma' (I'm from Rome). It links a thing to its material, 'una camicia di cotone' (a cotton shirt), and to its type or field, 'un libro di storia' (a history book), 'un corso di italiano' (an Italian course). A book or film about a particular person or thing takes 'su' instead: 'un libro su Dante' (a book about Dante). It links an amount or a container to what it holds: 'un bicchiere di vino' (a glass of wine), 'un po' di pane' (a bit of bread). It also gives parts of the day: 'di mattina' (in the morning), 'di sera' (in the evening). Before a vowel 'di' can become d': 'd'acqua' or 'di acqua'. When 'di' meets a definite article it fuses with it ('del', 'della'); that is taught in the articulated prepositions tag.

Key rule

Use 'di' for the owner ('il libro di Marco', never an 's), for your home town with 'essere' ('Sono di Roma'), for material ('di legno'), for the type or field of a thing ('un libro di storia', 'un corso di italiano') and after amounts ('un bicchiere di vino'). Before a definite article it fuses: 'del', 'della'.

Examples

Questo è il libro di Marco.
Questo è Marco's libro.
Italian has no 's ending. The thing comes first, then 'di' + the owner: 'il libro di Marco', literally 'the book of Marco'.
Sono di Napoli.
Sono da Napoli.
With 'essere', your home town takes 'di': 'Sono di Napoli' (I'm from Naples). 'Da' goes with 'venire': 'Vengo da Napoli'.
Ho una camicia di cotone.
Ho una cotone camicia.
The material comes after the noun, linked by 'di': 'una camicia di cotone' (a cotton shirt). Italian cannot put the material in front as English does.

Common mistakes

Using 's for the owner (English calque)
Laura's casa è grande.
La casa di Laura è grande.
Italian has no 's. Put the thing first, then 'di' + the owner: 'la casa di Laura'.
Using 'essere da' for your home town
Sono da Roma.
Sono di Roma.
With 'essere', origin takes 'di': 'Sono di Roma'. 'Da' goes with 'venire': 'Vengo da Roma'. Both mean 'I'm from Rome'.

A1Prepositions

Preposition A - Basic Uses (direction, location, time)

Preposizione a - Base

'A' means 'to' or 'at', and at A1 you need five of its uses. Towns and cities take 'a', both for going there and for being there: 'Vado a Roma' (I'm going to Rome), 'Abito a Milano' (I live in Milan); countries take 'in' ('in Italia'). A few everyday places take 'a' with no article: 'a casa' (home, at home), 'a scuola', 'a letto', 'a teatro'. Other places that take 'a' need the article ('al cinema', 'alla stazione'), and many shops and offices take 'in' instead ('in banca', 'in ufficio'). Clock times take 'a' + the article: 'alle otto' (at eight), 'all'una' (at one), but 'a mezzogiorno' (at noon). After verbs such as 'dare', 'scrivere' and 'telefonare', 'a' goes before the person who receives something: 'Scrivo a Marco' (I write to Marco); some verbs, such as 'chiamare', take the person directly: 'Chiamo Maria' (I call Maria). 'Andare a' + infinitive means going somewhere to do something: 'Vado a mangiare' (I'm off to eat). For a plan with no going involved, Italian uses the present: 'Stasera studio' (I'm going to study tonight). Before a word starting with a-, 'a' often becomes 'ad': 'ad Anna'.

Key rule

Use 'a' for towns and cities, both 'to' and 'in' ('Vado a Roma', 'Abito a Roma'), for clock times ('alle otto', but 'all'una' and 'a mezzogiorno'), and before the person after verbs like 'dare', 'scrivere' and 'telefonare' ('Scrivo a Marco'). A few places take bare 'a' ('a casa', 'a scuola', 'a letto', 'a teatro'); other places with 'a' take the article ('al cinema', 'alla stazione').

Examples

Vado a Roma.
Vado in Roma.
Towns and cities take 'a', both for going there and for being there: 'Vado a Roma', 'Abito a Roma'. 'In' is for countries and regions ('in Italia').
Vado a casa.
Vado casa.
English 'go home' has no preposition, but Italian needs 'a': 'Vado a casa' (I'm going home), 'Sono a casa' (I'm at home).
Vado a scuola.
Vado alla scuola. (intended: I go to school)
For school as an everyday activity, Italian says 'a scuola' with no article. 'Alla scuola' means 'to the school' and needs something that says which one: 'alla scuola di mio figlio'.

Common mistakes

Using 'in' with cities
Domani vado in Milano.
Domani vado a Milano.
Towns, cities and small islands take 'a' for both 'to' and 'in': 'a Milano', 'a Capri'. Countries and regions take 'in'.
Leaving out the article in 'al cinema', 'al mare'
Stasera vado a cinema.
Stasera vado al cinema.
Only a few places take bare 'a': 'a casa', 'a scuola', 'a letto', 'a teatro', 'a lezione'. Other places that take 'a' need the article: 'al cinema', 'al mare', 'al bar', 'alla stazione'.

A1Prepositions

Preposition Da - Basic Uses (origin, agent, at someone's)

Preposizione da - Base

'Da' means 'from', and it has a very Italian second job: 'at someone's place'. With verbs such as 'venire', 'tornare' and 'partire', it marks where you start: 'Vengo da Roma' (I'm from Rome, or I'm coming from Rome), 'Torno dal lavoro' (I'm coming back from work). With 'essere', your home town takes 'di' instead: 'Sono di Roma'. 'Da' also marks a starting time, often with 'a' for the end: 'dalle nove alle cinque' (from nine to five). Before a person, it means to or at that person's home, shop or office: 'Vado da Marco' (I'm going to Marco's), 'Sono dal medico' (I'm at the doctor's). With the present tense, it says how long or since when something has been going on: 'Studio italiano da sei mesi' (I've been studying Italian for six months), 'Abito qui dal 2020' (I've lived here since 2020). It can also say what a thing is for: 'camera da letto' (bedroom), 'occhiali da sole' (sunglasses). 'Da' fuses with a following definite article: 'dal', 'dalla', 'dai', 'dagli'.

Key rule

Use 'da' for 'from' with verbs like 'venire' and 'tornare' ('Vengo da Roma', 'Torno dal lavoro'); before a person, for that person's home, shop or office ('Vado da Marco', 'Sono dal medico'); with the present tense, for how long something has been going on ('Abito qui da tre anni'); and for what a thing is for ('camera da letto').

Examples

Vengo da Roma.
Vengo di Roma.
'Venire' takes 'da': 'Vengo da Roma' (I'm from Rome, or I'm coming from Rome). 'Di' goes with 'essere': 'Sono di Roma'.
Vado dal medico.
Vado al medico.
Going to a person, including a doctor or a shopkeeper, takes 'da': 'dal medico' (to the doctor's). You will hear 'al medico' in casual speech, but standard Italian, and all writing, uses 'dal medico'.
Sono da Marco.
Sono a Marco.
'Da' + a person means at or to that person's home: 'Sono da Marco' (I'm at Marco's). 'A Marco' cannot mean 'at Marco's'; it marks Marco as the person who receives something, as in 'Scrivo a Marco'.

Common mistakes

Using 'di' after 'venire'
Vengo di Napoli.
Vengo da Napoli.
'Venire' takes 'da'. 'Di' + town goes with 'essere': 'Sono di Napoli'.
Using 'a' for 'at someone's place'
Stasera vado a Marco.
Stasera vado da Marco.
Going to or being at someone's home or workplace takes 'da': 'da Marco', 'dal dottore', 'dalla nonna'.

A1Prepositions

Preposition In - Basic Uses (location, means)

Preposizione in - Base

'In' means 'in', 'into' and sometimes 'to'. Countries, regions, large islands and continents take 'in', usually with no article, both for going there and for being there: 'Vado in Italia' (I'm going to Italy), 'Abito in Toscana', 'in Sicilia', 'in Europa'. Plural names and names built on a common noun keep their article, which fuses with 'in': 'negli Stati Uniti', 'nel Regno Unito'. Cities take 'a' ('a Roma'). Many everyday places take 'in' with no article: 'in ufficio' (at the office), 'in banca', 'in centro', 'in cucina', 'in montagna'. Transport is 'in' + the vehicle: 'in macchina' (by car), 'in treno', 'in autobus', but 'on foot' is 'a piedi'. Months and seasons take 'in': 'in giugno', 'in estate' (in summer). Years take the article, so 'in' + 'il' becomes 'nel': 'nel 2020'. 'In' + a length of time says how long something takes: 'Ho finito in un'ora' (I finished in an hour). 'In' fuses with a following definite article: 'nel', 'nella', 'negli'.

Key rule

Use 'in' for countries, regions and large islands, usually with no article ('in Italia', 'in Toscana', 'in Sicilia'; but 'negli Stati Uniti'), for many everyday places with no article ('in ufficio', 'in banca', 'in centro'), for transport ('in treno'; but 'a piedi') and for months and seasons ('in giugno', 'in estate'). Years take the article: 'nel 2020'. Cities take 'a'.

Examples

Vado in Italia.
Vado a Italia.
Countries take 'in', both for going there and for being there: 'Vado in Italia', 'Abito in Italia'. Cities take 'a': 'Vado a Roma'.
Abito in Toscana.
Abito a Toscana.
Regions take 'in', just like countries: 'in Toscana', 'in Lombardia'.
Vado in Sicilia.
Vado a Sicilia.
Large islands take 'in': 'in Sicilia', 'in Sardegna'. Small islands take 'a': 'a Capri', 'a Ischia'.

Common mistakes

Using 'in' with cities
Questo weekend vado in Firenze.
Questo weekend vado a Firenze.
Towns and cities take 'a', not 'in'. Countries, regions and large islands take 'in'.
Using 'a' with countries
Abito a Francia.
Abito in Francia.
Countries and regions take 'in', usually with no article: 'in Francia', 'in Toscana'.

A1Prepositions

Prepositions Su, Con, Per - Basic

Preposizioni su, con, per - Base

'Su', 'con' and 'per' are three more key prepositions. 'Su' means 'on' (on a surface): 'Il libro è sul tavolo' (The book is on the table). It also means 'about' for the subject of a book, film or article: 'un film su Roma' (a film about Rome); after 'parlare' (to talk), 'about' is 'di': 'Parliamo di Roma'. 'Su' always fuses with a following definite article: 'sul', 'sullo', 'sull'', 'sulla', 'sui', 'sugli', 'sulle'. 'Con' means 'with': 'Vado al cinema con Marco', 'Scrivo con la penna'. It stays separate from the article ('con la', 'con gli'), except that 'con il' and 'con i' are often shortened to 'col' and 'coi'. 'Per' means 'for': 'Questo è per te' (This is for you). It also means 'in order to' ('Studio italiano per lavorare in Italia'), gives a finished or planned length of time ('Ho dormito per otto ore', I slept for eight hours) and names the destination of a train or ticket ('il treno per Roma'). For something that is still going on, Italian uses 'da' + the present instead: 'Studio italiano da due anni' (I've been studying Italian for two years). 'Per' never fuses with the article. After any preposition, use 'me' and 'te', not 'mi' and 'ti': 'per te', 'con me'.

Key rule

'Su' (on a surface; also 'about' for the subject of a book or film) always fuses with the article: 'sul tavolo', 'un libro sulla guerra'. 'Con' (with) stays separate, except that 'con il' and 'con i' may become 'col' and 'coi'. 'Per' (for, in order to, a finished or planned length of time, and the destination of a train or ticket: 'il treno per Roma') never fuses: 'per il bambino'.

Examples

Il libro è sul tavolo.
Il libro è su il tavolo.
'Su' + 'il' must fuse: 'sul tavolo' (on the table).
Leggo un articolo sullo sport.
Leggo un articolo su lo sport.
'Sport' takes 'lo', and su + lo fuses to 'sullo'. 'Su' always fuses with the article.
Vado al cinema con la mia amica.
Vado al cinema colla mia amica.
'Con' fuses only with 'il' and 'i' ('col', 'coi'), and even that is optional. With 'la' and the other articles it stays separate: 'con la mia amica'.

Common mistakes

Fusing 'con' with articles other than 'il' and 'i'
Stasera esco cogli amici.
Stasera esco con gli amici.
'Con' can fuse only with 'il' and 'i' ('col', 'coi'), and that is optional. With 'lo', 'la', 'l'', 'gli' and 'le' it stays separate: 'con gli amici', 'con la mamma'.
Using object pronouns after a preposition
Vieni al cinema con mi?
Vieni al cinema con me?
After any preposition, use the tonic pronouns 'me', 'te', 'lui', 'lei', 'noi', 'voi', 'loro', not 'mi', 'ti'.

A1Prepositions

Articulated Prepositions - Introduction (del, al, nello, sulla, dai, negli...)

Preposizioni articolate - Introduzione

When 'di', 'a', 'da', 'in' or 'su' comes before a definite article ('il', 'lo', 'l'', 'la', 'i', 'gli', 'le'), the two always join into one word, an articulated preposition: di + il → 'del' ('il libro del ragazzo'), a + la → 'alla' ('alla stazione'), da + i → 'dai', in + lo → 'nello', su + gli → 'sugli'. Note that 'di' becomes 'de-' and 'in' becomes 'ne-'. Forms like 'di il' or 'a la' are wrong. 'Con' + 'il' or 'i' may fuse to 'col' or 'coi' (optional); 'per' always stays separate: 'per il bambino'.

Key rule

'Di', 'a', 'da', 'in' and 'su' always fuse with a following definite article into one word, with 'di' → 'de-' and 'in' → 'ne-': di + il → 'del', a + la → 'alla', in + gli → 'negli', su + l' → 'sull''. 'Con' fuses only optionally and only with 'il' and 'i' ('col', 'coi'); 'per' never fuses.

Examples

Questo è il libro del ragazzo.
Questo è il libro di il ragazzo.
'Di' + 'il' must fuse into one word: 'del'.
Vado al cinema.
Vado a il cinema.
'Cinema' takes 'il', and 'a' + 'il' must fuse: 'al cinema'.
Torno dalla stazione.
Torno da la stazione.
'Da' + 'la' fuses to 'dalla', with a double l.

Common mistakes

Not fusing di/a/da/in/su with the article
La casa di il mio amico è grande.
La casa del mio amico è grande.
'Di', 'a', 'da', 'in' and 'su' always fuse with a following definite article: di + il → 'del', a + il → 'al', da + il → 'dal', in + il → 'nel', su + il → 'sul'.
Building fused forms of 'con' with other articles
Parlo colla professoressa.
Parlo con la professoressa.
'Con' fuses only with 'il' and 'i' ('col', 'coi'), and even that is optional. With 'la', 'lo', 'l'', 'gli', 'le' it stays separate. 'Per' never fuses.

A1Prepositions

A vs In with Cities and Countries (a Roma / in Italia)

A / in + città / paese

For places, Italian chooses the preposition by the type of place, and uses the same one for 'to' and 'in'. Towns, cities and small islands take 'a': 'Vado a Roma' (I'm going to Rome), 'Abito a Milano' (I live in Milan), 'a Capri'. Countries, regions, large islands and continents take 'in', usually with no article: 'Vado in Italia', 'Abito in Toscana', 'in Sicilia', 'in Europa'. Country names built on a common noun keep their article, which fuses with 'in': 'negli Stati Uniti', 'nel Regno Unito', 'nei Paesi Bassi'. For 'from', use 'da': 'da Roma', but 'dall'Italia' and 'dalla Francia', because most countries take the article after 'da'.

Key rule

Towns, cities and small islands take 'a' ('a Roma', 'a Capri'); countries, regions, large islands and continents take 'in' ('in Italia', 'in Toscana', 'in Sicilia', 'in Europa'), for both 'to' and 'in'. Country names built on a common noun keep their article: 'negli Stati Uniti', 'nel Regno Unito'.

Examples

Vado a Roma.
Vado in Roma.
Rome is a city, so it takes 'a', both for going there and for being there. 'In' is for countries and regions.
Abito in Italia.
Abito a Italia.
Italy is a country, so it takes 'in': 'Abito in Italia' (I live in Italy). 'A' is for towns and cities.
Vado a Milano per lavoro.
Vado in Milano per lavoro.
Milan is a city, so it takes 'a', even though English says 'in Milan'.

Common mistakes

Using 'in' with cities
Domani vado in Bologna.
Domani vado a Bologna.
Towns and cities take 'a', for both 'to' and 'in': 'a Bologna', 'a Roma'.
Using 'a' with countries or regions
L'anno prossimo vado a Francia.
L'anno prossimo vado in Francia.
Countries, regions, large islands and continents take 'in': 'in Francia', 'in Toscana', 'in Sicilia', 'in Asia'.

A1Prepositions

Basic Time Prepositions (a, di, in, fra/tra)

Preposizioni di tempo - Base

Each kind of time expression has its own preposition. Clock times take 'a' + the article: 'alle otto' (at eight), 'all'una' (at one); noon and midnight take plain 'a': 'a mezzogiorno' (at noon), 'a mezzanotte'. From one time to another is 'dalle nove alle cinque' (from nine to five). Parts of the day take 'di' or the article: 'di mattina' or 'la mattina' (in the morning), 'di sera' (in the evening), 'di notte' (at night). Days take no preposition: 'Lunedì vado a Roma' (On Monday I'm going to Rome), 'Il lunedì vado in palestra' (On Mondays I go to the gym). Months and seasons take 'in': 'in giugno' (also 'a giugno'), 'in estate' (in summer). Years take 'nel' (in + il): 'nel 2020'. 'Fra' and 'tra' mean the same and count from now: 'Ti chiamo fra un'ora' (I'll call you in an hour). For how long, 'per' gives a finished or planned length ('Ho studiato per due ore', I studied for two hours), and 'da' with the present is for something still going on ('Studio da due ore', I've been studying for two hours).

Key rule

Clock times take 'a' + article ('alle otto', 'all'una'), but noon and midnight take plain 'a' ('a mezzogiorno'). Parts of the day take 'di' or the article ('di sera', 'la sera'); months and seasons take 'in' ('in giugno', 'in estate'); years take 'nel' ('nel 2020'); days take no preposition ('lunedì'); 'from now' is 'fra' or 'tra' ('fra un'ora').

Examples

La lezione è alle nove.
La lezione è a nove.
Clock times take 'a' + the article 'le', fused to 'alle': 'alle nove' (at nine). Without the article the time phrase is wrong.
Ci vediamo a mezzogiorno.
Ci vediamo alle mezzogiorno.
'Mezzogiorno' (noon) and 'mezzanotte' (midnight) take plain 'a' with no article. 'Alle' is only for numbered hours: 'alle dodici'.
Studio di mattina.
Studio in mattina.
A part of the day as a habit takes 'di' ('di mattina') or the article ('la mattina'). 'In' without an article is wrong: 'in mattina'.

Common mistakes

Leaving out the article with clock times
Il treno parte a otto e mezza.
Il treno parte alle otto e mezza.
Clock times take 'a' + 'le', fused to 'alle': 'alle otto e mezza'. One o'clock is 'all'una'.
Using bare 'in' for parts of the day
In sera leggo un libro.
Di sera leggo un libro.
A part of the day as a habit takes 'di' ('di sera') or the article ('la sera'). 'In' without an article is wrong: 'in sera'.

A1Syntax

Basic Word Order (SVO) with Pro-drop

Ordine delle parole - Base (pro-drop)

The basic Italian sentence follows the same order as English, subject + verb + object: 'Marco mangia la pizza' (Marco eats pizza). The big difference is that the subject pronoun is usually left out, because the verb ending already shows who is acting: 'Mangio la pizza' (I eat pizza), 'Mangiamo la pizza' (we eat pizza). Add 'io', 'tu', 'lui' and so on mainly to stress or contrast the person: 'Io lavoro, tu dormi!' There is no empty 'it' either: 'Piove' (it's raining), 'È tardi' (it's late). 'Non' and object pronouns such as 'lo' (him, it) go directly before the conjugated verb: 'Non lo vedo' (I don't see him). Most adjectives follow the noun: 'una macchina rossa' (a red car).

Key rule

Use (subject) + verb + object, then place and time, and leave out subject pronouns unless you want to stress the person; there is no 'it' subject ('Piove'). 'Non' and object pronouns go directly before the conjugated verb ('Non lo vedo'), and most adjectives follow the noun ('una macchina rossa').

Examples

Marco mangia la pizza.
Marco la pizza mangia.
The neutral order is subject + verb + object: 'Marco' + 'mangia' + 'la pizza'. The object cannot simply move in front of the verb.
Mangio la pizza ogni venerdì.
No 'io' is needed: the ending -o already means 'I'. 'Io mangio la pizza ogni venerdì' is also correct, but it stresses 'I', as if contrasting with someone else.
Non mangio la carne.
Mangio non la carne.
'Non' goes directly before the verb it negates, not after it as English 'not' follows 'do'.

Common mistakes

Adding a subject for 'it'
Oggi esso piove.
Oggi piove.
Italian has no empty subject like English 'it': weather verbs and phrases such as 'è tardi' (it's late) or 'è facile' (it's easy) stand without a pronoun. 'Esso' is a rare, formal word and never fills this slot.
Putting a nationality or colour adjective before the noun
Leggo un italiano libro.
Leggo un libro italiano.
Adjectives of nationality, colour and shape follow the noun in Italian: 'un libro italiano', 'una macchina rossa'.

A1Syntax

Questions by Intonation / Same Word Order

Domande - Intonazione

To ask a yes/no question, take a normal statement and let your voice rise at the end; in writing, add a question mark. The word order stays the same and there is no helper word like English 'do': 'Parli italiano.' (You speak Italian.) becomes 'Parli italiano?' (Do you speak Italian?). To ask for confirmation, add ', vero?' or ', no?': 'Sei italiano, vero?' (You're Italian, aren't you?). For a negative question, put 'non' before the verb: 'Non vieni?' (Aren't you coming?).

Key rule

A yes/no question keeps the words and order of the statement, with a rising voice and a question mark: 'Parli italiano?' There is no 'do'; for confirmation add ', vero?' or ', no?', and for a negative question put 'non' before the verb: 'Non vieni?'

Examples

Marco è italiano?
Marco è italiano. (intended: Is Marco Italian?)
The question has the same words in the same order as the statement, so in writing only the question mark shows that it is a question. Without it, the sentence is the statement 'Marco is Italian'.
Parli italiano?
English needs 'do' to make this question; Italian uses the verb alone, and the ending -i already shows 'you'. 'Tu parli italiano?' is also correct and stresses 'you'.
Mangi carne, no?
Mangi carne, non?
The casual tag is 'no?' (or 'vero?'). 'Non' negates the word after it, usually the verb ('Non mangi?'), so it cannot stand alone at the end as a tag the way French 'non?' does.

Common mistakes

Leaving out the question mark in writing
Hai fame. (intended: Are you hungry?)
Hai fame?
A yes/no question has the same word order as the statement, so in writing only the question mark shows that you are asking. With a full stop, 'Hai fame' says 'You are hungry'.
Using 'non' as a question tag
Parli italiano, non?
Parli italiano, no?
The tags are 'no?', 'vero?' and 'giusto?' 'Non' negates the word after it, usually the verb ('Non parli?'), so it cannot stand alone at the end of a sentence.

A1Syntax

Basic Question Words (dove, quando, come, perché, quanto)

Parole interrogative

To ask for information, start with a question word: 'dove' (where), 'quando' (when), 'come' (how), 'perché' (why) or 'quanto' (how much). The verb comes straight after it: 'Dove abiti?' (Where do you live?), 'Quanto costa?' (How much is it?). Before a noun, 'quanto' means 'how much' or 'how many' and changes its ending to match the noun ('quanto', 'quanta', 'quanti', 'quante'); the verb comes after the whole phrase: 'Quanti anni hai?' (How old are you?), 'Quanta pasta vuoi?' (How much pasta do you want?). 'Perché' also means 'because', so the same word asks and answers: 'Perché studi italiano?' 'Perché mi piace.' Before 'è' (is), 'dove' and 'come' usually drop their final e and take an apostrophe: 'Dov'è?', 'Com'è?' But 'qual è' never takes an apostrophe: 'Qual è il tuo numero?' (What's your number?).

Key rule

The verb comes straight after the question word ('dove', 'quando', 'come', 'perché', 'quanto'), or after 'quanto' + its noun ('Quanti anni hai?'): a noun subject goes after the verb or before the question word ('Dove abita Marco?', 'Marco dove abita?'), never in between, except after 'perché' and 'come mai' (how come), as in 'Perché Marco non viene?' A preposition goes before the question word ('Di dove sei?'), 'perché' also means 'because', and 'dov'è' and 'com'è' take an apostrophe, but 'qual è' does not.

Examples

Dove abiti?
Dove tu abiti?
The verb comes straight after the question word. To stress 'you', say 'Dove abiti tu?' or 'Tu dove abiti?', never 'Dove tu abiti?'
Quando parte Marco?
Quando Marco parte?
After 'quando' the verb comes first and a noun subject follows it: 'Quando parte Marco?' 'Marco quando parte?' is also correct.
Come stai?
Come sei? (intended: How are you?)
'Come stai?' asks how someone is (health, mood). 'Come sei?' is a real question, but it means 'What are you like?' (character or looks).

Common mistakes

Misspelling 'perché'
Perchè sei stanco?
Perché sei stanco?
'Perché' ends in a closed e with an acute accent (é), like 'poiché' and 'benché'. Writing it without an accent or with è is a mistake.
Putting the subject between the question word and the verb
Dove Marco abita?
Dove abita Marco?
After 'dove', 'quando', 'come' and 'cosa' the verb comes immediately. A noun subject goes after the verb or before the question word ('Marco dove abita?').

A1Syntax

Subject Position in Questions (post-verbal inversion is optional)

Posizione del soggetto nelle domande

In Italian questions you never need a helper verb like 'do', and the subject can move. Most often you simply leave it out: 'Parli italiano?' (Do you speak Italian?). When you name it, it can stand before the verb or at the end: 'Marco parla italiano?' or 'Parla italiano Marco?' With a question word, the verb must follow the question word directly (with 'quanto' + noun, the whole phrase: 'Quanti anni ha Marco?'), so the subject goes after the verb ('Dove va Marco?') or before the question word ('Marco dove va?'), never between them. 'Perché' and 'come mai' (how come) are the exceptions: 'Perché Marco non viene?' is correct.

Key rule

In a yes/no question the subject can be left out ('Parli italiano?'), stay first ('Marco parla italiano?') or go to the end ('Parla italiano Marco?'), with no helper verb. After a question word, or a phrase like 'quanti anni', the verb comes right after it, so a subject goes after the verb or before the question word ('Dove va Marco?', 'Quanti anni ha Marco?', 'Marco dove va?'), never in between (only 'perché' and 'come mai' allow it: 'Perché Marco non viene?').

Examples

Parli italiano?
The most common choice: no subject at all, because the ending -i already shows 'you'. There is no helper verb like English 'do'.
Marco parla italiano?
The subject can keep its place before the verb, exactly as in the statement 'Marco parla italiano'; only the question mark and the rising voice change.
Parla italiano Marco?
The subject can also go to the end, after the verb and the object. This order is common in speech and means the same as 'Marco parla italiano?'

Common mistakes

Putting 'tu' between the question word and the verb
Dove tu abiti?
Dove abiti?
The verb follows the question word directly. Leave 'tu' out, or to stress it put it after the verb ('Dove abiti tu?') or before the question word ('Tu dove abiti?').
Putting a noun subject between the question word and the verb
Dove Marco va?
Dove va Marco?
After a question word, the order is question word + verb + subject, or subject + question word + verb ('Marco dove va?'). The subject never sits between the question word and the verb.

A1Connectors

Basic Coordination (e, o, ma)

Coordinazione - Base

The three basic linking words are 'e' (and), 'o' (or) and 'ma' (but). 'E' adds: 'Marco e Luca', 'Mangio e bevo'. Two subjects joined by 'e' take a plural verb: 'Marco e Luca sono amici'. With 'io' among them use the 'noi' form ('Io e Marco siamo amici'), and with 'tu' but no 'io' the 'voi' form ('Tu e Marco siete amici?'). 'O' offers a choice: 'Tè o caffè?' 'Ma' introduces a contrast: 'Sono stanco, ma felice' (I'm tired but happy). Watch the spelling: 'e' (and) has no accent, while 'è' (is) has one, and 'o' (or) has no h, while 'ho' means 'I have'. Before a vowel, especially another e, 'e' can become 'ed': 'ed ecco'.

Key rule

'E' (and) adds, 'o' (or) offers a choice and 'ma' (but) contrasts; they stand between the parts they join, and two subjects joined by 'e' take a plural verb, in the 'noi' form with 'io' ('Io e Marco siamo amici') and in the 'voi' form with 'tu' but no 'io' ('Tu e Marco siete amici?'). Write 'e' without an accent (unlike 'è', is) and 'o' without h (unlike 'ho', I have); use 'ed' only before a vowel ('ed ecco').

Examples

Marco e Luca sono amici.
Marco è Luca sono amici.
'E' (and) has no accent. 'È' with an accent is the verb 'is', so 'Marco è Luca' would mean 'Marco is Luca'.
Vuoi tè o caffè?
Vuoi tè e caffè? (intended: Do you want tea or coffee?)
'O' offers a choice between two things. 'Vuoi tè e caffè?' is correct Italian, but it asks whether you want both.
Mi piace la pizza ma non la pasta.
'Ma' introduces the contrast between what you like and what you don't. A comma before 'ma' is also common: 'Mi piace la pizza, ma non la pasta'.

Common mistakes

Confusing 'e' (and) with 'è' (is)
Ho un cane è un gatto.
Ho un cane e un gatto.
'E' (and) has no accent; 'è' with a grave accent is the verb 'is'. Mixing them up is one of the most common spelling mistakes in Italian.
Using 'ed' before a consonant
Marco ed Luca sono amici.
Marco e Luca sono amici.
'Ed' is a variant of 'e' used only before a vowel, especially before another e ('ed ecco', 'ed Elena'). Before a consonant always write 'e'.

A1Connectors

Addition (anche, pure)

Aggiunta - anche

'Anche' means 'also', 'too' or 'as well'. Put it directly before the word you are adding: 'Anche Marco viene' (Marco is coming too), 'Parlo anche italiano' (I speak Italian too). It does not go after the word, as English 'too' does. 'Me too' is 'Anch'io' (or 'Anche io'), but after 'Mi piace...' it is 'Anche a me'. After 'non', 'either' is 'neanche', 'nemmeno' or 'neppure', not 'anche': 'Non viene neanche Luca' (Luca isn't coming either). 'Me neither' is 'Neanch'io', or 'Neanche a me' after 'Non mi piace...'.

Key rule

Put 'anche' (also, too) directly before the word it adds: 'Anche Marco viene' (Marco too), 'Parlo anche italiano' (Italian too). 'Me too' is 'Anch'io' (or 'Anche io'), but 'Anche a me' after 'Mi piace'; after 'non', 'either' is 'neanche' or 'nemmeno', not 'anche' ('Non viene neanche Luca'), and 'me neither' is 'Neanch'io' ('Neanche a me' after 'Non mi piace').

Examples

Anche Marco viene alla festa.
Marco viene anche alla festa. (intended: Marco, too, is coming to the party)
'Anche Marco' adds Marco to the people who are coming. 'Marco viene anche alla festa' is correct Italian, but it adds the party to the places Marco is going.
Parlo anche italiano.
Parlo italiano anche.
'Anche' comes before the word it adds, here 'italiano'. Placed at the end, as English 'too' is, it sounds wrong.
Anch'io vengo!
Before 'io', 'anche' is usually shortened to 'anch'' with an apostrophe. 'Anche io vengo!' is just as correct.

Common mistakes

Placing 'anche' at the end, English style
Parlo italiano anche.
Parlo anche italiano.
'Anche' must come before the element it adds, not after it like English 'too'.
Using 'anche' after 'non' for 'either'
Non mi piace anche il tè. (intended: I don't like tea either)
Non mi piace neanche il tè.
For 'not ... either' use 'neanche', 'nemmeno' or 'neppure'. With 'anche', the sentence would only deny that you like tea as well as something else.

A1Connectors

Time Sequence (prima, poi, dopo, infine)

Sequenza temporale

To put actions in order, Italian uses 'prima' (first), 'poi' (then), 'dopo' (afterwards) and 'infine' or 'alla fine' (finally, in the end). They usually open their clause: 'Prima mangio, poi lavoro, infine dormo' (First I eat, then I work, finally I sleep). 'Before doing something' is 'prima di' + infinitive: 'Prima di mangiare, mi lavo le mani'. 'After' + a noun is 'dopo': 'dopo cena' (after dinner). For the last step of a list use 'infine', not 'finalmente', which means 'at last', with relief after waiting: 'Finalmente sei arrivato!' (You're here at last!).

Key rule

Order steps with 'prima' (first), 'poi' (then), 'dopo' (afterwards) and 'infine' or 'alla fine' (finally), usually at the start of the clause. 'Before doing' is 'prima di' + infinitive ('Prima di uscire...'), 'after' + noun is 'dopo' ('dopo cena'), and 'finalmente' means 'at last', not 'lastly'.

Examples

Prima mangio, poi lavoro.
Primo mangio, poi lavoro.
'Prima' is the adverb 'first' that opens a sequence, followed by 'poi' (then). 'Primo' is the number 'first' before a noun ('il primo giorno').
Dopo il lavoro torno a casa.
'Dopo' + noun means 'after': 'dopo il lavoro', 'dopo cena'. It can open or close the sentence: 'Torno a casa dopo il lavoro' is also correct.
Prima di mangiare, mi lavo le mani.
Prima mangiare, mi lavo le mani.
'Before' + verb is 'prima di' + infinitive; without 'di' the sentence is wrong.

Common mistakes

Leaving out 'di' after 'prima' before a verb
Prima uscire, chiudo la finestra.
Prima di uscire, chiudo la finestra.
'Before doing' is 'prima di' + infinitive; the 'di' is required.
Using 'finalmente' for the last step of a list
Poi pulisco la cucina e finalmente vado a letto. (intended: and lastly I go to bed)
Poi pulisco la cucina e infine vado a letto.
'Infine' marks the last step in a series. 'Finalmente' means 'at last' and expresses relief after waiting.

A1Syntax

Basic Negation with non (before the verb)

Negazione - non

To make a sentence negative, put 'non' (not) directly before the verb: 'Parlo italiano' → 'Non parlo italiano' (I don't speak Italian). Italian has no helper verb like English 'do' ('Non lavoro', I don't work), and 'non' also goes before 'essere' and 'avere': 'Non sono stanco' (I'm not tired), 'Non ho fame' (I'm not hungry). When the sentence starts with its subject, 'non' comes after the subject: 'Marco non è a casa' (Marco isn't at home). Object pronouns stay between 'non' and the verb: 'Non lo so' (I don't know), 'Non mi piace' (I don't like it). With a modal verb or in the passato prossimo (the everyday past tense, as in 'ho capito'), 'non' goes before the first verb: 'Non posso venire' (I can't come), 'Non ho capito' (I didn't understand). 'No' is the answer word, the opposite of 'sì': 'No, non parlo tedesco' (no, I don't speak German).

Key rule

Put 'non' directly before the verb, with no helper like English 'do' ('Non parlo italiano'); only object pronouns can stand in between ('Non lo so'). With a modal verb or in the passato prossimo, 'non' goes before the first verb ('Non posso venire', 'Non ho capito'); 'no' is the answer word, the opposite of 'sì'.

Examples

Non parlo italiano.
No parlo italiano.
The word that negates a verb is 'non'. 'No' is the answer word (the opposite of 'sì'), so it cannot stand in front of 'parlo'.
Marco non è a casa.
Marco è non a casa.
English puts 'not' after 'is', but Italian puts 'non' before every verb, 'essere' included. The subject 'Marco' stays in front of 'non'.
Non lo vedo.
Lo non vedo.
An object pronoun like 'lo' sits directly before the verb, so 'non' goes in front of both: 'non' + 'lo' + 'vedo'.

Common mistakes

Using 'no' instead of 'non' before a verb
Io no capisco.
Io non capisco.
'No' is the answer word, the opposite of 'sì'. The word for 'not' in front of a verb is 'non'.
Copying the English position of 'not' after the auxiliary
Ho non capito la domanda.
Non ho capito la domanda.
In the passato prossimo, 'non' goes before the auxiliary ('ho', 'sono'), not after it as English 'not' does in 'I have not understood'.

A1Syntax

Double Negation Principle (non ... mai/niente/nessuno)

Doppia negazione

Negative words such as 'mai' (never), 'niente' (nothing), 'nessuno' (nobody) and 'più' (no longer) normally come after the verb, and then 'non' must go before the verb: 'Non mangio mai la carne' (I never eat meat), 'Non vedo nessuno' (I can't see anybody). In standard English 'I don't see nobody' is a mistake, but in Italian the two negative words together make one ordinary negative, so 'non' cannot be left out. When the negative word comes first, usually as the subject, there is no 'non': 'Nessuno risponde' (nobody answers), 'Niente è impossibile' (nothing is impossible). A one-word answer needs no 'non' either: 'Niente' (nothing), 'Nessuno' (nobody). In a question without 'non', 'mai' means 'ever': 'Vai mai a teatro?' (do you ever go to the theatre?).

Key rule

Negative words such as 'mai', 'niente', 'nulla', 'nessuno', 'più' and 'neanche' normally follow the verb, and then 'non' must go before the verb: 'Non vedo nessuno', 'Non mangio mai la carne'. When the negative word comes first, usually as the subject, leave 'non' out ('Nessuno risponde'); in a question without 'non', 'mai' means 'ever' ('Vai mai a teatro?').

Examples

Non mangio mai la carne.
Mangio mai la carne.
'Mai' (never) comes after the verb, so the verb needs 'non' in front of it. 'Mai' alone after the verb does not make the sentence negative.
Non vedo nessuno.
Vedo nessuno.
'Nessuno' comes after the verb, so 'non' must go before 'vedo'. Together, 'non ... nessuno' means 'not ... anybody'.
Non dico niente.
Dico niente.
'Niente' comes after the verb, so 'non' is required. Together, 'non ... niente' means 'not ... anything'.

Common mistakes

Keeping 'non' when the negative word comes first
Nessuno non lo sa.
Nessuno lo sa.
A negative subject before the verb is negative on its own, so there is no 'non'. The other order is also correct: 'Non lo sa nessuno'.
Forgetting 'non' when a negative word follows the verb
Conosco nessuno in questa città.
Non conosco nessuno in questa città.
In a statement, every negative word after the verb ('mai', 'niente', 'nulla', 'nessuno', 'più') needs 'non' before the verb.

A1Syntax

non ... mai (never)

non ... mai

'Mai' means 'never'. It goes after the verb, and 'non' goes before the verb: 'Non mangio mai la carne' (I never eat meat). In the passato prossimo (the everyday past tense, as in 'ho visto', 'sono stato'), 'mai' usually goes between the auxiliary and the past participle: 'Non sono mai stato a Roma' (I've never been to Rome). In a question without 'non', 'mai' means 'ever': 'Sei mai stato a Roma?' (have you ever been to Rome?). 'Mai più' means 'never again': 'Non ci vado mai più' (I'm never going there again).

Key rule

'Never' is 'non' + verb + 'mai' ('Non mangio mai la carne'); in the passato prossimo 'mai' usually goes between the auxiliary and the past participle ('Non ho mai visto'). In a question without 'non', 'mai' means 'ever' ('Sei mai stato a Roma?').

Examples

Non mangio mai la carne.
Mangio mai la carne.
'Mai' comes after the verb, so 'non' must go before it. 'Mai' on its own after the verb does not make the sentence negative.
Non bevo mai alcol.
Non mai bevo alcol.
'Non' and 'mai' go on either side of the verb: 'non' before it, 'mai' after it. They do not stand together in front of the verb.
Non sono mai stato in Italia.
Sono mai stato in Italia.
In the passato prossimo, 'non' goes before the auxiliary and 'mai' usually between the auxiliary and the past participle. English 'I have never been' has one negative word, but Italian still needs 'non'.

Common mistakes

Leaving out 'non' because English 'never' works alone
Vado mai in palestra.
Non vado mai in palestra.
'Mai' after the verb needs 'non' before the verb: 'non vado mai'.
Leaving out 'non' in the passato prossimo
Ho mai visto quel film.
Non ho mai visto quel film.
'I have never seen' needs both words in Italian: 'non' before the auxiliary and 'mai' after it, usually before the past participle.

A1Syntax

non ... niente / nulla (nothing)

non ... niente / nulla

'Niente' and 'nulla' both mean 'nothing'; 'niente' is more common in everyday speech. After the verb they need 'non' before the verb: 'Non ho niente' (I have nothing, I don't have anything), 'Non dico nulla' (I'm not saying anything). As the subject before the verb they take no 'non': 'Niente è impossibile' (nothing is impossible). Two patterns to learn: 'niente di' + adjective ('Non c'è niente di nuovo', there's nothing new) and 'niente da' + infinitive ('Non ho niente da fare', I have nothing to do). The usual reply to 'Grazie' is 'Di niente!' (you're welcome).

Key rule

'Niente' and 'nulla' mean 'nothing'. After the verb they need 'non' before it ('Non vedo niente'); as a subject before the verb they take no 'non' ('Niente è impossibile'). Before an adjective add 'di' ('niente di nuovo'); before an infinitive add 'da' ('niente da fare').

Examples

Non dico niente.
Dico niente.
'Niente' comes after the verb, so 'non' is required before it: 'non dico niente' (I'm not saying anything).
Non so nulla di matematica.
So nulla di matematica.
'Nulla' follows the same rule as 'niente': after the verb it needs 'non' before the verb.
Niente è impossibile.
Niente non è impossibile.
'Niente' is the subject and comes before the verb, so it is negative on its own and takes no 'non'. Adding 'non' after it is a common mistake.

Common mistakes

Leaving out 'non' when 'niente' follows the verb
Ho niente da fare oggi.
Non ho niente da fare oggi.
'Niente' or 'nulla' after the verb needs 'non' before the verb, even though English 'nothing' works alone.
Adding 'non' when 'niente' is the subject before the verb
Niente non mi interessa.
Niente mi interessa.
When 'niente' comes before the verb as the subject, it is negative on its own, so there is no 'non'. With 'niente' after the verb, 'non' comes back: 'Non mi interessa niente'.

A1Syntax

non ... nessuno (nobody / no one; as determiner and pronoun)

non ... nessuno

'Nessuno' means 'nobody', or 'anybody' after 'non': 'Non vedo nessuno' (I can't see anybody). Before a singular noun it means 'no' or 'not any' and changes like the indefinite article: 'nessun libro' (like 'un libro'), 'nessuno studente' (like 'uno studente'), 'nessuna casa' (like 'una casa'), 'nessun'amica' (like 'un'amica'; the full form 'nessuna amica' is just as correct). After the verb it needs 'non' before the verb: 'Non ho nessun problema' (I have no problem). As the subject before the verb it takes no 'non': 'Nessuno risponde' (nobody answers). It is used in the singular: 'nessun amico', not 'nessuni amici'.

Key rule

'Nessuno' means 'nobody' on its own, and 'no' before a singular noun, where it takes the forms of 'un': 'nessun libro', 'nessuno studente', 'nessuna casa', 'nessun'amica'. After the verb put 'non' before the verb ('Non vedo nessuno'); as a subject before the verb, use no 'non' ('Nessuno risponde').

Examples

Non vedo nessuno.
Vedo nessuno.
'Nessuno' comes after the verb, so 'non' must go before 'vedo'. Together, 'non ... nessuno' means 'not ... anybody'.
Nessuno risponde al telefono.
Nessuno non risponde al telefono.
'Nessuno' is the subject before the verb, so it is negative on its own and takes no 'non'. With 'nessuno' after the verb, 'non' comes back: 'Non risponde nessuno'.
Non ho nessun problema.
Non ho nessuno problema.
Before a masculine noun starting with an ordinary consonant, use 'nessun', just as you say 'un problema'. The full form 'nessuno' is only for nouns starting with s + consonant, z, gn, ps or x.

Common mistakes

Leaving out 'non' when 'nessuno' follows the verb
Conosco nessuno in questa città.
Non conosco nessuno in questa città.
'Nessuno' after the verb needs 'non' before the verb: 'non conosco nessuno' (I don't know anybody).
Using a plural form of 'nessuno'
Non ho nessuni amici.
Non ho nessun amico.
'Nessuno' goes with a singular noun: 'nessun amico'. To use the plural, leave 'nessuno' out: 'Non ho amici'.

A1Syntax

non ... più vs non ... ancora (no more / not yet)

non ... più / non ... ancora

'Non ... più' means 'no longer' or 'not any more': something was true before, but it has stopped. 'Non lavoro più in banca' (I don't work at the bank any more). 'Non ... ancora' means 'not yet': something has not happened so far, but it may still happen. 'Non è ancora arrivato' (he hasn't arrived yet). In both, 'non' goes before the verb and 'più' or 'ancora' right after it; in the passato prossimo (the everyday past tense, as in 'ho mangiato', 'è arrivato') they usually go between the auxiliary and the past participle ('Non ho ancora mangiato', I haven't eaten yet). Without 'non', 'ancora' means 'still' ('Vivo ancora a Roma', I still live in Rome), 'again' or 'more' ('Ancora un caffè?', another coffee?), and 'più' means 'more'.

Key rule

'Non ... più' means 'no longer' (it has stopped): 'Non lavoro più qui'. 'Non ... ancora' means 'not yet' (it hasn't happened so far): 'Non è ancora arrivato'. 'Non' goes before the verb and 'più' / 'ancora' right after it, between the auxiliary and the past participle in the passato prossimo; without 'non', 'ancora' means 'still' (also 'again' or 'more').

Examples

Non lavoro più in banca.
Non lavoro ancora in banca. (intended: I don't work at the bank any more)
'Non ... più' means that something has stopped: I used to work there. 'Non lavoro ancora in banca' means 'I don't work at the bank yet', as if you were about to start.
Non è ancora arrivato.
Non è già arrivato. (intended: he hasn't arrived yet)
'Not yet' is 'non ... ancora'. 'Già' means 'already', and it translates 'yet' only in questions ('È già arrivato?', has he arrived yet?), not in a negative sentence.
Non ci vado mai più.
'Mai più' (never again) is a stronger, more final 'più': 'Non ci vado più' means 'I don't go there any more', while 'Non ci vado mai più' means 'I'm never going there again'.

Common mistakes

Using 'già' for 'yet' in a negative sentence
Non ho già mangiato. (intended: I haven't eaten yet)
Non ho ancora mangiato.
'Già' means 'already' and translates 'yet' only in questions ('Hai già mangiato?'). In a negative sentence, 'not yet' is 'non ... ancora'.
Putting 'non ancora' together before the verb
Non ancora ho mangiato.
Non ho ancora mangiato.
'Non' goes before the verb (here the auxiliary 'ho') and 'ancora' after it. 'Ancora non ho mangiato', with 'ancora' first, is also correct and common in speech.

A1Orthography

Written Accents (à, è, é, ì, ò, ù) - Basics

Accenti grafici - Base

Italian writes an accent on the last vowel of a word of two or more syllables when the stress falls on that final vowel: 'città' (city), 'caffè' (coffee), 'lunedì' (Monday), 'però' (but). Without the accent the word is misspelled. Most words are stressed earlier ('casa', 'amico', 'tavolo') and have no accent. There are two accent marks. The grave accent (à, è, ì, ò, ù) is the normal one. The acute accent (é) is used only for a closed e at the end of a word, as in 'perché' (why, because) and 'ventitré' (23). A few one-syllable words also carry an accent, mostly to tell them apart from a twin: 'è' (is) but 'e' (and), 'sì' (yes) but 'si' (oneself), 'là' (there) but 'la' (the). At the start of a sentence, 'è' becomes 'È'.

Key rule

Write an accent on the last vowel of a word of two or more syllables when the stress falls there ('città', 'caffè', 'lunedì', 'però'), and on a few one-syllable words such as 'è' (is), 'sì' (yes), 'là', 'già', 'più' and 'può'. The accent is grave (à, è, ì, ò, ù), except on a closed final e, which takes the acute: 'perché', 'poiché', 'ventitré', 'né' (nor), 'sé' (himself, herself).

Examples

Vivo in una grande città.
Vivo in una grande citta.
'città' is stressed on its last syllable, so the final a carries a grave accent. Without it, the word is misspelled.
Un caffè, per favore.
Un caffe, per favore.
'caffè' is stressed on the final e, which is open, so it takes the grave accent. 'caffe' without an accent is a spelling mistake.
Oggi è lunedì.
Oggi è lunedi.
The weekdays from 'lunedì' to 'venerdì' are stressed on the final -dì and need a grave accent. The verb 'è' (is) needs its accent too.

Common mistakes

Leaving the accent off 'perché'
Perche non vieni?
Perché non vieni?
'perché' (why, because) ends in a stressed closed e, which takes the acute accent: é. Without the accent the word is misspelled.
Leaving out the accent on a stressed final vowel
Abito in una piccola citta.
Abito in una piccola città.
A word of two or more syllables that is stressed on its last vowel must show the accent: 'città', 'caffè', 'lunedì', 'però'.

A1Orthography

Elision and Apostrophe (l', un', d', anch'io)

Elisione e apostrofo

Elision (elisione) means dropping the last vowel of a word before a word that starts with a vowel, and writing an apostrophe in its place, with no space after it. The ones you need from the start: 'lo' and 'la' (the) become 'l'' ('l'amico', 'l'amica', 'l'acqua'); feminine 'una' (a) becomes 'un'' ('un'amica', 'un'ora'); and 'ci è' becomes 'c'è' (there is). Masculine 'un' never takes an apostrophe: 'un amico', 'un uomo'. Plural 'gli' and 'le' never elide: 'gli amici', 'le amiche'. Other common forms with an apostrophe are 'anch'io' (me too), 'dov'è' (where is), 'com'è' (how is, what is it like) and 'd'accordo' (agreed).

Key rule

Before a vowel, 'lo' and 'la' become 'l'' and feminine 'una' becomes 'un'' ('l'amico', 'l'amica', 'un'amica'), but masculine 'un' never takes an apostrophe ('un amico') and plural 'gli' and 'le' never elide ('gli amici', 'le amiche'). Common short forms with an apostrophe are 'c'è', 'anch'io', 'dov'è' and 'com'è'; 'qual è' has none.

Examples

L'amico di Marco è simpatico.
Lo amico di Marco è simpatico.
Before a vowel, the article 'lo' becomes 'l'': 'l'amico', 'l'albero'. The same happens to 'la': 'l'amica'.
Ho un amico a Roma.
Ho un'amico a Roma.
'amico' is masculine, so the article is 'un', a short form of 'uno' that also stands before consonants ('un libro'). It never takes an apostrophe.
Ho un'amica a Milano.
Ho un amica a Milano.
'amica' is feminine, so the article is 'una', which loses its a before a vowel and leaves an apostrophe: 'un'amica'. Without the apostrophe, 'un' is the masculine article and does not match 'amica'.

Common mistakes

Putting an apostrophe after masculine 'un'
C'è un'uomo alla porta.
C'è un uomo alla porta.
'uomo' is masculine, so the article is 'un', the short form of 'uno' that also stands before consonants ('un libro'). It never takes an apostrophe: 'un uomo', 'un amico', 'un altro'.
Leaving out the apostrophe after feminine 'un''
Ho un ora libera.
Ho un'ora libera.
'ora' (hour) is feminine, so the article is 'una', which loses its a before a vowel and needs the apostrophe: 'un'ora', 'un'amica', 'un'idea'.

A1Orthography

Double Consonants - Basic Awareness

Doppie consonanti - Base

Italian has single and double consonants, and the difference matters. A double consonant is written with two letters and pronounced longer: 'nonno' (grandfather) sounds like non-no, with a held n. Swapping a single consonant for a double one, or the reverse, can give a different word: 'capelli' (hair) and 'cappelli' (hats), 'sono' (I am) and 'sonno' (sleep), 'nono' (ninth) and 'nonno' (grandfather), 'casa' (house) and 'cassa' (till), 'note' (notes) and 'notte' (night). Many everyday words have a double consonant: 'caffè', 'mille', 'bello', 'anno', 'mattina', 'otto', 'pizza', 'mamma'. No rule tells you which words double, so learn the spelling together with each new word.

Key rule

Italian has single and double consonants: a double one is written with two letters and pronounced longer, and it can change the meaning ('capelli' hair, 'cappelli' hats; 'sono' I am, 'sonno' sleep; 'nono' ninth, 'nonno' grandfather). Learn the spelling of each word, and write a doubled kw sound as 'cqu' ('acqua').

Examples

Ho i capelli lunghi.
Ho i cappelli lunghi. (intended: I have long hair)
'capelli' (hair) has a single p. 'cappelli' with a double p means 'hats', so 'Ho i cappelli lunghi' says that your hats are long.
Mio nonno ha ottant'anni.
Mio nono ha ottant'anni.
'nonno' (grandfather) has a double n, pronounced long: non-no. 'nono' with a single n means 'ninth'.
Vado a dormire, ho sonno.
Vado a dormire, ho sono.
'sonno' (sleep) has a double n, and 'avere sonno' means 'to be sleepy'. 'sono' with a single n is the verb 'I am, they are'.

Common mistakes

Leaving out a double consonant in a common word
Domani matina vado al mare.
Domani mattina vado al mare.
'mattina' (morning) has a double t. The double is part of the spelling, and in speech the t is held longer: mat-ti-na.
Copying the English spelling of a similar word
Mi piace communicare con gli italiani.
Mi piace comunicare con gli italiani.
Some Italian words have a single consonant where English has a double one: 'comunicare' (communicate), 'comune', 'comunità'. Others double where English does not: 'pubblico', 'appartamento'.

A1Orthography

Soft vs Hard C and G; chi/che, ghi/ghe spelling

Suoni dolci e duri di c/g

The letters c and g each have two sounds. Before a, o and u (and before most consonants) they are hard: c sounds like k ('casa', 'come', 'cuore'), and g like the g in 'go' ('gatto', 'gonna', 'gusto'); 'gn' and 'gli' are different, with sounds of their own ('bagno', 'famiglia'). Before e and i they are soft: c sounds like ch in 'church' ('cena', 'cinema'), and g like j in 'jam' ('gelato', 'giro'). Two spelling tricks change this. Add h to keep the hard sound before e or i: 'che' (what), 'chi' (who), 'anche' (also), 'spaghetti', 'laghi' (lakes). Add i to get the soft sound before a, o or u: 'ciao', 'cioccolato', 'giallo' (yellow), 'giorno' (day); this i is not heard as a separate vowel. So in Italian 'ch' is always hard: 'chi' sounds like English 'key'.

Key rule

c and g are hard (k, and g as in 'go') before a, o, u and soft (ch as in 'church', j as in 'jam') before e and i. To keep them hard before e or i, add h ('chi', 'che', 'spaghetti', 'laghi'); to make them soft before a, o or u, add an i that is not pronounced separately ('ciao', 'giallo', 'giù').

Examples

Ciao!
Cao!
To get the soft c (ch as in 'church') before a, Italian adds an i: 'ciao'. Without the i, 'cao' would be read with a hard k sound.
Chi sei?
Ci sei? (intended: Who are you?)
'chi' (who) needs an h to keep the c hard (k) before i. Without it, 'ci' has a soft c, and 'Ci sei?' means 'Are you there?'
Che bello!
Ce bello!
'che' needs an h to keep the c hard (k) before e. Written 'ce', it would be read with a soft c, as in 'cena', and it is a different word.

Common mistakes

Leaving out the i that makes g soft
Ho una maglietta galla.
Ho una maglietta gialla.
'gialla' (yellow) has a soft g (j). Before a, o and u, a soft c or g needs an i: 'gialla', 'giorno', 'ciao'. Without it, the g is read hard.
Leaving out the h that keeps g hard
In Italia ci sono molti lagi.
In Italia ci sono molti laghi.
'lago' (lake) has a hard g. Before the plural ending -i the hard sound must be written 'gh': 'laghi'. 'lagi' would be read with a soft g.

A1Register

tu vs Lei vs voi (formal/informal)

Tu, Lei, voi

Italian has three ways to say 'you'. 'tu' is for one person you know well: friends, family, children, classmates. 'Lei' is the polite form for one person: strangers, shop and office staff, older people you do not know, and anyone you call 'signore', 'signora' or by a title such as 'dottore'. 'voi' is for two or more people, in every situation. Each has its own verb form: 'Tu parli italiano?', 'Lei parla italiano?' (the same verb form as for 'he' and 'she'), 'Voi parlate italiano?' The pronoun itself is often left out, so the verb ending shows which one you mean: 'Parli italiano?' (tu), 'Parla italiano?' (Lei). With adults you do not know, start with Lei and switch to tu when the other person suggests it: 'Diamoci del tu!' (Let's say tu to each other).

Key rule

Use 'tu' (tu verb form: 'parli') with one person you know well, with a child and with young people of your own age; 'Lei' (the verb form for 'he' and 'she': 'parla', with 'La', 'Le' and 'Suo', and 'Scusi' or 'Senta' for 'excuse me') with one adult you do not know or address formally; and 'voi' ('parlate') with two or more people in any situation. With an adult, when unsure, start with Lei.

Examples

Ciao Marco, come stai?
Ciao Marco, come sta? (intended: How are you?)
Marco is a friend, so you use tu, and the tu form of 'stare' is 'stai'. 'Come sta?' is the Lei form, or it asks how someone else is.
Buongiorno, signora Bianchi, come sta?
Buongiorno, signora Bianchi, come stai?
Someone you call 'signora Bianchi' gets Lei, with the verb form for 'he' and 'she': 'come sta?' 'Come stai?' is the tu form, for friends and family.
Ragazzi, come state?
Ragazzi, come stai?
'Ragazzi' (guys, kids) shows you are talking to a group, so you need voi and its verb form: 'come state?' 'Come stai?' speaks to one person only.

Common mistakes

Using tu with a stranger
Buongiorno, signore, tu parli inglese?
Buongiorno, signore, parla inglese?
An adult you call 'signore' gets Lei, with the verb form for 'he' and 'she': 'parla'. Using tu with a stranger can sound rude.
Using the Lei verb form with tu
Anna, tu parla inglese?
Anna, tu parli inglese?
tu always takes the tu form of the verb: 'parli', 'sei', 'hai'. 'parla', 'è' and 'ha' go with Lei, lui and lei.

A1Register

Greetings (Ciao, Salve, Buongiorno, Buonasera, Arrivederci, ArrivederLa)

Saluti formali e informali

Italian greetings depend on who you are talking to and on the time of day. 'Ciao' (hi, bye) is for people you call tu: friends, family, children. With people you call Lei, say 'Buongiorno' (good morning, good day) until early afternoon and 'Buonasera' (good evening) after that; both work for hello and for goodbye, and you can also say them to friends and family. 'Salve' is a neutral hello for anyone, useful when you are unsure. To say goodbye politely, use 'Arrivederci', or 'ArrivederLa' to one person you call Lei. 'Buonanotte' (good night) is only for leaving late at night or going to bed. 'A presto' (see you soon) and 'A domani' (see you tomorrow) work with everyone.

Key rule

Use 'Ciao' (hello and goodbye) only with people you call tu. With people you call Lei, say 'Buongiorno' until early afternoon and 'Buonasera' after that, or the neutral 'Salve', and 'Arrivederci' (or 'ArrivederLa' to one person) when you leave. 'Buonanotte' is only for leaving late at night or going to bed.

Examples

Buongiorno, dottore, come sta?
Ciao, dottore, come sta?
'Ciao' goes with people you call tu: friends, family, children. A doctor you address with Lei ('come sta?') gets 'Buongiorno' in the morning or 'Buonasera' later in the day.
Buonasera! Che bella serata, vero?
Buongiorno! Che bella serata, vero?
'serata' (evening) shows that it is evening, so the greeting is 'Buonasera'. 'Buongiorno' is for the morning and early afternoon.
Salve, può aiutarmi?
'Salve' is a neutral hello that works with anyone at any time of day. It is useful when you are not sure whether to use tu or Lei, but it is a little less warm than 'Buongiorno'.

Common mistakes

Using 'Ciao' with someone you call Lei
Ciao, professoressa, posso entrare?
Buongiorno, professoressa, posso entrare?
'Ciao' is for people you call tu. With a teacher, a doctor or anyone you address with a title, use 'Buongiorno', 'Buonasera' or 'Salve'.
Saying 'Buongiorno' in the evening
Buongiorno e benvenuti alla cena di stasera!
Buonasera e benvenuti alla cena di stasera!
'Buongiorno' is for the morning and early afternoon. Later in the day, say 'Buonasera'.

A1Vocabulary usage

Recognising Cognates (IT-EN)

Parole affini

Thousands of Italian words look like English ones because both go back to the same Latin words, and some to Greek ones: 'famiglia' (family), 'musica' (music), 'università' (university), 'telefono' (telephone), 'importante' (important), 'possibile' (possible). These look-alikes are called cognates, and they give you a lot of vocabulary for free. Many follow regular patterns: English -tion becomes -zione ('stazione'), -ity becomes -ità ('città'), -ous becomes -oso ('famoso'). Some English words are used just as they are: 'il computer', 'il bar', 'lo sport'. Watch out for false friends, words that look English but mean something else: 'libreria' is a bookshop (a library is a 'biblioteca'), and 'parenti' are relatives (parents are 'genitori').

Key rule

Many Italian words resemble English ones because both come from Latin, and regular patterns help you convert them: -tion → -zione ('stazione'; a c before it drops: 'action' → 'azione'), -ity → -ità ('università'), -ous → -oso ('famoso'), -ible → -ibile ('possibile'), ph → f ('telefono'). Give them Italian gender, spelling and pronunciation, and watch out for false friends, look-alikes with a different meaning: 'libreria' = bookshop, 'parenti' = relatives, 'camera' = room.

Examples

La mia famiglia è grande.
La mia familia è grande.
'family' is 'famiglia' in Italian. The sound in the middle is written 'gli', so 'familia', which follows the Latin and Spanish spelling, is wrong.
Ho un problema.
Ho una problema.
'problema' comes from Greek and is masculine even though it ends in -a: 'un problema', 'il problema'. The same is true of 'programma' and 'sistema'.
È una grande università.
È una grande universita.
English -ity becomes -ità, and the final à always carries an accent: 'università', 'città', 'attività'.

Common mistakes

Keeping the English spelling of a cognate
Ho un telephono nuovo.
Ho un telefono nuovo.
Italian writes the f sound as 'f', never 'ph': 'telefono', 'fotografia', 'filosofia'.
Using 'camera' for a camera
Ho una camera nuova per fare foto. (intended: a new camera)
Ho una macchina fotografica nuova per fare foto.
'camera' means 'room' or 'bedroom'. A camera is a 'macchina fotografica'.

A1Numbers dates time

Cardinal Numbers 1-100

Numeri cardinali 1-100

0 to 10: 'zero', 'uno', 'due', 'tre', 'quattro', 'cinque', 'sei', 'sette', 'otto', 'nove', 'dieci'. 11 to 19: 'undici', 'dodici', 'tredici', 'quattordici', 'quindici', 'sedici', then 'diciassette', 'diciotto', 'diciannove'. The tens: 'venti' (20), 'trenta', 'quaranta', 'cinquanta', 'sessanta', 'settanta', 'ottanta', 'novanta', and 'cento' (100). From 21 to 99, join the ten and the unit in one word: 'trentadue' (32), 'sessantacinque' (65). Two spelling rules: before 'uno' and 'otto' the ten drops its final vowel ('ventuno' 21, 'ventotto' 28, 'trentotto' 38), and a final 'tre' takes an acute accent ('ventitré' 23, 'trentatré' 33). 'tre' on its own has no accent.

Key rule

From 21 to 99, join the ten and the unit in one word ('trentadue'), dropping the ten's final vowel before 'uno' and 'otto' ('ventuno', 'trentotto'); a final 'tre' takes an acute accent ('ventitré'), while 'tre' alone has none. 11 to 16 end in -dici ('undici', 'dodici', 'tredici', 'quattordici', 'quindici', 'sedici'), and 17 to 19 start with 'dici' ('diciassette', 'diciotto', 'diciannove').

Examples

Ho ventidue anni.
Ho venti due anni.
Every number from 11 to 99 is written as one word, with no space or hyphen: 'ventidue', 'trentacinque', 'novantanove'.
Mia sorella ha ventuno anni.
Mia sorella ha ventiuno anni.
'uno' starts with a vowel, so 'venti' drops its final i: 'ventuno'. Before a noun you can also write 'ventun anni'.
Il libro costa ventotto euro.
Il libro costa ventiotto euro.
'otto' starts with a vowel, so 'venti' drops its final i: 'ventotto'. The same happens with every ten: 'trentotto', 'quarantotto'.

Common mistakes

Keeping the ten's final vowel before 'uno' or 'otto'
Mio padre ha quarantaotto anni.
Mio padre ha quarantotto anni.
Before 'uno' and 'otto', which start with a vowel, the tens drop their final vowel: 'ventuno', 'ventotto', 'quarantuno', 'quarantotto'.
Leaving out the accent on a number ending in 'tre'
La lezione è nell'aula trentatre.
La lezione è nell'aula trentatré.
Numbers ending in 'tre' are stressed on the last syllable and take an acute accent: 'ventitré', 'trentatré', 'cinquantatré'.

A1Numbers dates time

Days, Months and Seasons

Giorni, mesi, stagioni

Days of the week: 'lunedì', 'martedì', 'mercoledì', 'giovedì', 'venerdì', 'sabato', 'domenica'. Monday to Friday end in a stressed -ì with a grave accent. All days are masculine except 'domenica'. Months, all masculine: 'gennaio', 'febbraio', 'marzo', 'aprile', 'maggio', 'giugno', 'luglio', 'agosto', 'settembre', 'ottobre', 'novembre', 'dicembre'. Seasons: 'la primavera' (spring), 'l'estate' (summer, feminine), 'l'autunno' (autumn), 'l'inverno' (winter). Days, months and seasons are written with a small letter unless they start a sentence. Italian uses no word for 'on' before a day: 'lunedì' alone means one particular Monday, and 'il lunedì' means every Monday. 'In January' is 'a gennaio' or 'in gennaio', 'in summer' is 'in estate'. Dates use 'il' + number + month ('il 15 marzo'), with 'l'' before 'otto' and 'undici' ('l'8 marzo', 'l'11 marzo') and 'primo' for the 1st ('il primo maggio').

Key rule

Days, months and seasons are written with a small letter except at the start of a sentence ('lunedì', 'gennaio', 'estate'), and Monday to Friday end in an accented -ì. Use the bare day for one particular day ('Lunedì vado a Roma') and the article for every week ('il lunedì', 'la domenica'); write dates as 'il' + number + month ('il 15 marzo', but 'l'8 marzo' and 'l'11 marzo'), with 'primo' for the 1st ('il primo maggio').

Examples

Oggi è lunedì.
Oggi è Lunedì.
Days of the week are written with a small letter in Italian, unlike English. Only at the start of a sentence do they take a capital.
A gennaio fa freddo.
A Gennaio fa freddo.
Months are written with a small letter: 'gennaio', 'febbraio', 'marzo'.
Il mio compleanno è il 15 marzo.
Il mio compleanno è marzo 15.
Italian dates follow the order article + number + month: 'il 15 marzo'. The English order 'March 15' is not used.

Common mistakes

Writing a month with a capital letter
Il corso inizia a Febbraio.
Il corso inizia a febbraio.
Italian writes days, months and seasons with a small letter, unless they start a sentence.
Leaving out the accent on a weekday
Ho lezione il martedi.
Ho lezione il martedì.
'lunedì', 'martedì', 'mercoledì', 'giovedì' and 'venerdì' are stressed on the final -dì, which needs a grave accent.

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A1 Italian Grammar — 72 Topics & Common Mistakes

Present Tense - Regular -ARE Verbs

Present Tense - Regular -ERE Verbs

Present Tense - Regular -IRE Verbs (dormire type)

Present Tense - -IRE Verbs with -isc- (finire, capire, preferire)

Present Tense - Essere (to be)

Present Tense - Avere (to have)

Present Tense - Andare and Venire

Present Tense - Fare, Dare, Stare

Present Tense - Modal Verbs Potere, Volere, Dovere

Present Tense - Sapere and Conoscere

Present Continuous (stare + gerundio)

Imperative - tu / voi Forms (affirmative)

Reflexive (Pronominal) Verbs - Basic

Reflexive Verbs for Daily Routine

Essere vs Avere - Basic Distinction

C'è / Ci sono - Existence / There is/are

Idiomatic Avere Expressions (fame, sete, caldo, freddo, sonno, paura, anni)

Fare - Weather, Sports, Activities

Piacere - Basic (mi piace / mi piacciono)

Verbs of Preference (amare, adorare, preferire, odiare)

Potere + Infinitive

Volere + Infinitive / Noun

Grammatical Gender - Basic

Gender Clues from Noun Endings

Plural Formation - Basic

Plural Spelling Changes (-co/-go, -ca/-ga, -cio/-gio, -cia/-gia)

Adjective Agreement - 4-ending Adjectives (-o/-a/-i/-e)

Adjective Agreement - 2-ending Adjectives (-e / -i)

Adjective Position (usually after noun; common pre-noun adjectives)

Definite Articles - Full Paradigm (il, lo, l', la, i, gli, le)

Indefinite Articles (un, uno, una, un')

Partitive Articles (del, dello, della, dei, degli, delle)

Demonstratives (questo, quello) - Adjective Forms

Possessives with Definite Article (il mio, la mia, i miei, le mie...)

Subject Pronouns (io, tu, lui/lei/Lei, noi, voi, loro) and pro-drop

Formal Lei (3rd-person singular as formal 'you')

Tonic/Stressed Pronouns (me, te, lui, lei, noi, voi, loro)

Direct Object Pronouns (mi, ti, lo, la, ci, vi, li, le)

Indirect Object Pronouns (mi, ti, gli, le, ci, vi, gli/loro)

Reflexive Pronouns (mi, ti, si, ci, vi, si)

Possessives as Pronouns (il mio è rosso)

Interrogative Pronouns/Adjectives (chi, che, che cosa, quale, quanto)

Preposition Di - Basic Uses (possession, origin, material, topic)

Preposition A - Basic Uses (direction, location, time)

Preposition Da - Basic Uses (origin, agent, at someone's)

Preposition In - Basic Uses (location, means)

Prepositions Su, Con, Per - Basic

Articulated Prepositions - Introduction (del, al, nello, sulla, dai, negli...)

A vs In with Cities and Countries (a Roma / in Italia)

Basic Time Prepositions (a, di, in, fra/tra)

Basic Word Order (SVO) with Pro-drop

Questions by Intonation / Same Word Order

Basic Question Words (dove, quando, come, perché, quanto)

Subject Position in Questions (post-verbal inversion is optional)

Basic Coordination (e, o, ma)

Addition (anche, pure)

Time Sequence (prima, poi, dopo, infine)

Basic Negation with non (before the verb)

Double Negation Principle (non ... mai/niente/nessuno)

non ... mai (never)

non ... niente / nulla (nothing)

non ... nessuno (nobody / no one; as determiner and pronoun)

non ... più vs non ... ancora (no more / not yet)

Written Accents (à, è, é, ì, ò, ù) - Basics

Elision and Apostrophe (l', un', d', anch'io)

Double Consonants - Basic Awareness

Soft vs Hard C and G; chi/che, ghi/ghe spelling

tu vs Lei vs voi (formal/informal)

Greetings (Ciao, Salve, Buongiorno, Buonasera, Arrivederci, ArrivederLa)

Recognising Cognates (IT-EN)

Cardinal Numbers 1-100

Days, Months and Seasons