A1 Italian GrammarPersonal Pronouns
Learn the Italian subject pronouns (io, tu, lui, lei, noi, voi, loro) and how to use them in everyday sentences. Understand when pronouns can be omitted in Italian since verb endings often indicate the subject.
1Subject Pronouns Overview
Italian has seven subject pronouns. Unlike English, Italian often omits pronouns because verb conjugations show the subject. Io (I) and tu (you informal) are singular, while noi (we) and voi (you plural) are plural. Lui/lei are he/she, and loro is they.
Italian Subject Pronouns
| Italian | English | Usage |
|---|---|---|
| io | I | first person singular |
| tu | you (informal) | second person singular |
| lui | he | third person masculine |
| lei | she / You (formal) | third person feminine / formal |
| noi | we | first person plural |
| voi | you (plural) | second person plural |
| loro | they | third person plural |
Examples
Io sono italiano.
I am Italian.
io for emphasis or clarity
Tu parli inglese?
Do you speak English?
tu for informal you
Lui è mio fratello.
He is my brother.
lui for he
Lei è molto gentile.
She is very kind.
lei for she
2Formal vs Informal Address
Italian distinguishes between formal and informal address. Use tu with friends, family, and children. Use Lei (capitalized) for formal situations, strangers, or showing respect. Lei uses third-person singular verb forms, same as lei (she).
Formal vs Informal
| Situation | Pronoun | Example |
|---|---|---|
| friends, family | tu | Tu sei simpatico. |
| strangers, formal | Lei | Lei è il signor Rossi? |
| children | tu | Tu vuoi un gelato? |
| business, elderly | Lei | Lei desidera qualcosa? |
Examples
Come ti chiami?
What's your name? (informal)
tu form with ti
Come si chiama?
What's your name? (formal)
Lei form with si
Lei parla italiano?
Do you speak Italian? (formal)
Lei + third person verb
Tu parli italiano?
Do you speak Italian? (informal)
tu + second person verb
3Pronoun Omission
Italian regularly drops subject pronouns because verb endings show the subject. Parlo means I speak, parli means you speak. Include pronouns for emphasis, contrast, or clarity. Omitting pronouns sounds more natural in Italian.
With and Without Pronouns
| With Pronoun | Without Pronoun | English |
|---|---|---|
| Io parlo | Parlo | I speak |
| Tu mangi | Mangi | You eat |
| Noi andiamo | Andiamo | We go |
| Loro studiano | Studiano | They study |
Examples
Parlo italiano.
I speak Italian.
pronoun omitted (common)
Io parlo italiano, tu parli spagnolo.
I speak Italian, you speak Spanish.
pronouns for contrast
Andiamo al cinema?
Shall we go to the cinema?
noi omitted (natural)
Chi è? Sono io!
Who is it? It's me!
io for identification
4Plural Pronouns
Noi (we) includes the speaker, voi (you plural) addresses multiple people, and loro (they) refers to third parties. Voi is also used in some regions as a formal singular form, though Lei is standard. Loro always uses third-person plural verbs.
Plural Pronouns with Verbs
| Pronoun | essere (to be) | avere (to have) |
|---|---|---|
| noi | siamo | abbiamo |
| voi | siete | avete |
| loro | sono | hanno |
Examples
Noi siamo studenti.
We are students.
noi + siamo
Voi avete fame?
Are you (all) hungry?
voi for plural you
Loro sono i miei amici.
They are my friends.
loro + sono
Dove andate voi?
Where are you (all) going?
voi at end for emphasis