2nd Person Singular
YOU = TU - Informal- When using “tu”, you are speaking to a person with whom you are on first-name basis, like friends, family members, etc.
- Ex- Tu hai una penna? Do you have a pen?- Tu sei molto basso. You are very short.
3rd Person Singular
HE = LUI
- Use “lui” when you want to speak about a MALE.
- Ex: - Lui e un dottore. He is a doctor.- Lui dorme. He is sleeping.
1st Person Singular
SHE= LEI- Use “lei” when you want to speak about a FEMALE.
- Ex: - Chi e lei? Who is she?- Lei vuole usicre. She wants to go out.
3rd Person Singular
YOU = LEI- Formal. Must be written in capital “L”- Use “Lei” when you are speaking to someone you address by their last names
- Examples: teachers, doctors, lawyers, elders- Ex:- Come sta Lei? How are you?- Lei abita vicino? Do you live close?
1st Person Plural
WE = NOI- This includes “Io” plus another person.- When using “noi”, you are speaking about yourself and another person.
- Mary and I = Mary e io noi (we)- “noi is plural form of “io”- EX: Noi siamo pronti. We are ready. - Francesca e io siamo sorelle. Francesca and I are sisters.
2nd Person Plural
YOU ALL= VOI- Informal - When using “voi”, you are speaking to a group of people. You are first-name basis with these people. They are your friends and family.
- Ex: Mary and you – Maria e tu voi (you all) - Ex:- Carmela e tu siete cugine? Are you and Carmela cousins?
- Carlo e tu siete tardi. You and Charles are late.
3rd Person Plural
THEY=LORO
- Use “loro” when you are speaking about a group of people.
- “loro” is the plural of “lui” or “lei”Ex: Loro sono lontani. They are far.Loro hanno due figli. They have two kids.
3rd Person Plural
YOU ALL= LORO- Formal. Must be written with capital “L”- Use “Loro” when speaking to a group of people with whom you are on a last-name basis.
- “Loro” is the plural form of “Lei”- Ex: Loro sono pronti. Are you all ready.- Loro hanno spazio? Do you all have space?
THE FOUR DIFFERENT YOU’S
In Italian, there are FOUR different ways to
say YOU: tu, Lei, voi, Loro.
tu – informal, singular, first-name basis
Lei – formal, singular, last-name basis
voi – informal, plural, first-name basis
Loro – formal, plural, last-name basis