1. What Are Pronouns?
Pronouns in Italian, like in English, are little words that we use to replace a noun. These include direct and indirect object pronouns, as well as the particles “ci” and “ne,” which are also considered pronouns.
| Pronoun | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Mi | me / to me |
| Ti | you / to you |
| Lo/La | him/her |
| Ci | us / to us |
| Vi | you all / to you all |
| Li/Le | them |
| Gli | to him/to them |
| Le | to her |
| Ne | of it/about it |
One of the trickiest aspects of using pronouns is deciding where to place them in a sentence. Before or after the verb? I hope this list can help you figure it out.
2. Position of Italian Pronouns with Simple Verbs
In most cases, pronouns come before the verb in Italian. For example:
- Mi vedi – You see me.
- La chiami – You call her.
- Lo compro – I buy it.
- Vi porto – I bring you all.
- Ne voglio due – I want two of them.
- Ci penso – I’ll think about it.
3. Pronouns with Modal Verbs (Dovere, Potere, Volere)
When using a modal verb, the pronoun can either come before the conjugated verb or be attached to the end of the infinitive. Both are correct and equally used. There’s no preference for one or the other.
- Lo devo fare or Devo farlo – I have to do it.
- Ti posso aiutare or Posso aiutarti – I can help you.
- Li voglio vedere or Voglio vederli – I want to see them.
Test Your Italian
Not sure what your Italian level is? I’ve created a free online Italian test to help you determine it.4. Imperatives
The use of the imperative and pronouns is perhaps the most common exception to the main rule of placing pronouns before the verb. When using the imperative, and thus giving a command or telling people to do things, pronoun placement differs between positive and negative commands, and informal and formal settings.
In positive commands and informal settings, pronouns are attached to the end of the verb:
- Chiamami! – Call me!
- Fallo! – Do it!
In positive commands and formal settings:
- Mi chiami – Call me (formal).
- Lo faccia – Do it (formal).
In negative commands and informal settings, the pronoun can be placed before the verb or attached to the infinitive:
- Non mi chiamare – Don’t call me.
- Non chiamarmi – Don’t call me.
In negative commands and formal settings, the pronoun can also be placed before the verb:
- Non mi chiami – Don’t call me (formal).
5. Infinitive
When a verb is used in the infinitive form, for example, when it follows a preposition, the pronoun goes at the end of the infinitive:
- Studio italiano per migliorarlo – I study Italian to improve it.
- Mi sono divertita a studiarlo – I had fun learning it.
- Ho provato a chiamarti – I tried to call you.
6. Two Pronouns Together
When combining direct and indirect pronouns, the indirect pronoun comes first, and they usually merge:
- Te lo do – I give it to you.
- Glielo porto – I’ll bring it to him/her.
