What is Lei formale in Italian?
Wait a second… Isn’t lei the pronoun for the third person feminine? It is, indeed.
However, Lei is also used as a formal version of the second person tu (both for addressing men and women).
Informal: Alberto, (tu) sei davvero molto gentile!
Alberto, you are so very kind!
Formal: Signor Cucchi, (lei) è davvero molto gentile!
Mr. Cucchi, you are so very kind!
When to use Lei formale?
Now that you know what pronoun to use when addressing someone formally, let’s have a look at the situations in which it is appropriate.
We use the lei formale:
- To address people we do not know, especially if they are older than us.
- In formal settings at work (an interview, a meeting with new clients, etc.)
- To talk to a person representing authority or a specific social position (police officers, professors, doctors, etc.)
Note that it is always the older person or the one in the highest position of authority that can suggest switching to more informal communication.
In this case, they will say something along the lines of diamoci del tu (let’s address each other using tu).
How to use Lei formale?
Now that you know in which situation to use Lei, let’s see how to use it correctly!
As we have already mentioned, lei also means she, so here’s the good news: the conjugation of lei formale is exactly the same as lei in the third person singular (lei fa, lei pensa, lei mangia, etc.).
And remember, even if it can be confusing at first, we use lei formale to address both women and men!
It is also essential to note that all pronouns that refer back to lei formale must also be in the feminine, even if we are talking to a man:
Signor Belli, parli più forte per favore. Non la sento!
Mr. Belli, speak more loudly please, I can’t hear you!
Buongiorno signore, come posso aiutarla?
Good morning sir, how can I help you?
Yet, remember that, when addressing a man, all adjectives and past participles maintain their masculine form, even if the pronoun is Lei:
Signor Cucchi, (lei) è stato davvero coraggioso!
Mr. Cucchi, you were so brave!
Practice with Quizlet
Here's a set of flashcards and quizzes to practice this grammar topic.Are there extra considerations about Lei formale?
Yes! Here are some more interesting points about the lei formale:
- In very formal written communications, Lei and all pronouns that refer back to it might be capitalized:
Gentile Signora Bianchi, La informiamo che…
Dear Mrs. Bianchi, we inform you that…
Signor Bianchi, Le chiediamo cortesemente di…
Mr. Bianchi, we kindly ask you to…
- To address someone with Lei or with tu in Italian is referred as dare del lei or dare del tu a qualcuno.
Dammi del tu.
Address me with tu.
Non darmi del Lei, per favore. Non sono così vecchio!
Don’t address me with lei, please. I am not that old!
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