Italian subject pronouns. I pronomi soggetto.
What subject pronouns are there in Italian? Let’s get to know them.
Italian subject pronouns
As in English, the verbs are conjugated for different “persons”, e.g. I, you, he, etc. These persons are called subject pronouns and they stand for the subject, i.e. the person who performs the action. Italian has the following subject pronouns:
|
1st person singular |
io |
I |
|
2nd person singular |
tu |
you (one person) |
|
3rd person singular |
lui, lei |
he, she |
|
1st person plural |
noi |
we |
|
2nd person plural |
voi |
you (two or more people) |
|
3rd person plural |
loro |
they |
The subject pronouns are usually omitted in Italian, as you can tell from the verb which person is being referred to. However, if they are used, they emphasize the person, e.g. in introductions or juxtapositions:
- Abito a Berlino. I live in Berlin.
- Lui è Roberto, lei è Emma. He is Roberto, she is Emma.
Polite form
In Italian, the 3rd person singular Lei is used for formal address when speaking to one person, and the 2nd person plural Voi is used for addressing multiple people formally. When these pronouns are used for formal address, they are capitalized.
- E Lei, signor Rossi, dove abita?And you, Mr. Rossi, where do you live?
- E Voi, signori Rossi, dove abitate? And you, Mrs. and Mr. Rossi, where do you live?
|
one person |
several persons |
|
|---|---|---|
|
informal |
tu |
voi |
|
formal |
Lei |
Voi |
The 2nd person plural voi/Voi is therefore always used for several people, whether formal or informal. A distinction between formal and informal is only made in the singular between tu and Lei.
To deepen your understanding of the topic, read our article about the polite form.
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4 thoughts on “Italian subject pronouns”
Hello ! I keep seeing the word ‘ sono ‘ like in ‘ Sono Fiona. ‘ What does it mean exactly? Is it a form of something?
Hi Jae!
“Sono” is a form of the verb essere to be and it means “am”.
“Sono Fiona” means “(I) am Fiona”.
See here: https://italiano-bello.com/en/italian-grammar/italian-essere-and-avere-to-be-and-to-have/
The verb essere to be is conjugated as follows:
io sono I am
tu sei you are
lui/lei è he/she is
noi siamo we are
voi siete you are
loro sono they are
Hello!.
The grammar lesson italian subject pronouns is only in German. Is it possible to have it in English?
Have nive day.
Hi Elisabeth,
thank you for your comment. We’ve corrected it 🙂