What Are Pronouns in Italian?
Pronouns in Italian, like in English, are small words we use to replace nouns. These include direct and indirect object pronouns, as well as the particles ci and ne, which are also considered pronouns.
| Italian Pronouns | Meaning in English |
|---|---|
| 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 |
Position of Italian Pronouns with Simple Verbs
One of the trickiest parts of using pronouns is figuring out where to place them in a sentence. Before or after the verb? I hope this list helps you sort it out.
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.
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.
If you don’t know what a modal verb is in Italian, check out this article.
Rule of Thumb:
Pronouns usually go before the verb — except with infinitives, positive commands (informal), and sometimes with modal verbs.
Imperatives with Italian Pronouns
Using pronouns with the imperative is one of the most notable exceptions to the usual rule of placing pronouns before the verb. When giving commands, pronoun placement changes depending on whether the command is positive or negative, and whether it’s informal or formal.
Positive commands, informal settings:
Attach the pronoun to the end of the verb.
- Chiamami! – Call me!
- Fallo! – Do it!
Positive commands, formal settings:
Pronouns come before the verb.
- Mi chiami – Call me (formal).
- Lo faccia – Do it (formal).
Negative commands, informal settings:
The pronoun can go either before the verb or be attached to the infinitive.
- Non mi chiamare – Don’t call me.
- Non chiamarmi – Don’t call me.
Negative commands, formal settings:
Pronouns come before the verb.
- Non mi chiami – Don’t call me (formal).
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Infinitives with Pronouns
When a verb is in its infinitive form—for example, after a preposition—the pronoun is attached to 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.
When we use two pronouns together, we call them double object pronouns.
