Volerci and Metterci:The Difference

When we want to say how long something will take, we often use the Italian expressions ci vuole or ci metto.  However, the fact that they can’t be used interchangeably often leads my students to confusion. 

So, what exactly is the difference between ci vuole and ci metto?

Volerci (it takes, without explicit subject)

Ci vuole has a couple of meanings.

In its primary meaning, it’s used with the meaning of “it takes” (a certain amount of time). 

• Ci vuole un’ora per andare in centro – it takes an hour to go downtown 

The base form of the verb (the infinitive) is volerci (volere + ci),  which has only two conjugations in the present tense.

ci vuole and ci vogliono

What’s the difference between the two?

Ci vuole is used when it’s followed by a singular noun or noun phrase, like:

• Ci vuole un minuto – it takes one minute 
• Ci vuole una vita – it takes a lifetime

Ci vogliono is used when it’s followed by a plural noun or noun phrase, like:

• Ci vogliono molti anni – it takes many years 
• Ci vogliono 5 minuti – it takes five minutes

The secondary meaning of ci vuole or ci vogliono, is “it’s necessary”.

For example,

• Ci vogliono due uova in questa ricetta – it takes two eggs in this recipe
• Ci vuole pazienza in questo lavoro – it takes patience in this job 

Note that we can’t make the subject explicit when using “ci vuole” or “ci vogliono” in either case; we can’t say “io ci voglio” or “tu ci vuole.” This is the main difference between “volerci” and “metterci.”

How to use “volerci” in the past, future and conditional. 

Of course “ci vuole” and “ci vogliono” can be conjugated in all the different tense.

Volerci in the past tense (passato prossimo) goes to

• Ci è voluto/a – it took (followed by a singular noun)
• Ci sono voluti/e – it took (followed by a plural noun)

Volerci in the future tense goes to

• Ci vorrà – it will take (followed by a singular noun)
• Ci vorranno – it will take (followed by a plural noun)

Volerci in the conditional form goes to

• Ci vorrebbe – it would take (followed by a singular noun)
• Ci vorrebbero – it would take (followed by a plural noun)

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Metterci (it takes, with explicit subject)

Metterci has a similar meaning to volerci, but it is used differently. 

Ci metto also means it takes, but it is used when the subject is explicit, unlike ci vuole. In other words, whoever is “taking the time” is obvious. So you could say  “io ci metto”, “noi ci mettiamo”, etc..

As a result of the foregoing, metterci and can be conjugated in all the forms, unlike “volerci”

For example,

The conjugation of ‘metterci’ with the present tense

Ci vuole vs. ci metto 

Another explanation we can give is that, while ci vuole or ci vogliono mean “it takes”, ci metto means “it takes me/you/her/him/us/them”.

How to use “metterci” in the past, future and conditional 

for the complete conjugations please, check this website out.

The particle “ci”

The particle “ci” remains the same and is invariable in both verbs (volerci and metterci). In my classes, I occasionally hear those verbs conjugated incorrectly as reflexive verbs, because the ci in volerci and metterci is not a reflexive pronoun, it can’t take the forms ti, si, vi, etc.

Useful phrases

Quanto tempo ci vuole? – How long does it take?

Quanto tempo ci metti a (+ infinitive)? – How long does it take you to (+verb)?

Quanto/a”x” ci vuole (or Quanti/e “x” ci vogliono?)