Italian Personal Pronouns

Personal pronouns, also called subject pronouns, are used to indicate who is performing the action in a sentence. Here's the list of Italian subject pronouns:

Tu vs. Voi

In Italian, there are different ways to say you depending on how many people you're addressing. This distinction is important for proper communication and grammar. Here's how to use tu and voi correctly:

Tu = you singular when speaking to one person

Voi = you plural when speaking to a group of people

Pronouns Are Often Omitted in Italian

In Italian, subject pronouns are usually left out, especially in conversation. This is because the verb endings already indicate who the subject is.

Both versions are grammatically correct, but the second without the pronoun is more common in everyday use.

How to Say It in Italian

Italian does not have a direct equivalent of the English pronoun it. Instead, you simply use the verb or expression on its own, and the meaning is clear from context.

Lei Formal You vs. Tu Informal You

Italian has a formal version of you, which is Lei. A capital L is often used to distinguish it from lei = she. You should use Lei when speaking to strangers, talking to your boss, or addressing elders or people in formal settings. And you should use tu when speaking to friends, talking to family, or interacting informally.

Historic and Literary Pronouns

You might encounter these old-fashioned pronouns in literature or period films, but they are rarely used today in everyday speech or writing:

Voi as a Formal You

In the past, voi was used as a formal singular you, similar to vous in French, especially during certain historical periods. Today, this usage is considered archaic and is mostly seen in literature or old films. You will not encounter this pronoun very often in modern Italian.