Impersonal si: Italian grammar lesson 117

Summary

Dive into the world of Italian with our guide on the “impersonal si”! Discover how to effortlessly talk about general actions without pinpointing a specific subject, making your Italian sound more native and fluid. 🇮🇹🗣️

  • Generalize with Style: Use si to avoid naming a subject. Instead of “people do this,” say “Si fa questo.” It’s like the English “one does this” but way cooler in Italian. 😎
  • Impersonal vs. Reflexive: Don’t mix up the impersonal si with its reflexive twin. The impersonal si is the mysterious stranger at the party – it’s not about anyone specific. 🕵️‍♂️
  • Verb Tense Matters: If your verb’s chillin’ without an object (intransitive), keep si with a singular verb. Got an object (transitive)? Match the verb number to the object’s – singular or plural. 📚
  • Passive Power: When si goes passive (aka si passivante), it turns the sentence into a ninja, making the subject the target of the action without being seen. 🥷
  • Examples Are Key: Get your head around si by looking at examples. They’re like the GPS for navigating the twisty roads of Italian grammar. 🗺️
  • Practice Makes Perfect: Try out the impersonal si in your daily Italian chit-chat. The more you use it, the more natural it’ll feel – like that favorite pair of jeans. 👖✨

Remember, the impersonal si is your secret weapon for sounding like a legit Italian. Use it wisely, and you’ll be chatting up locals like a pro in no time! 🚀🇮🇹

My thoughts

Si impersonale:  Explained

How do you use the impersonal si?

All Italian learners have come across sentences such as “Non si lavora la domenica (One does not work on Sundays).

These sentences do not have a specific subject and are therefore called impersonal.

In Italian, there are different ways of constructing an impersonal sentence. One of the most common ones is the use of the impersonal si.

Some very common impersonal forms are:

  • Si dice
    It is said…
  • Si sa
    It is known…
  • Si pensa
    It is thought…

Si impersonale: When to use

Unlike the reflexive si, which refers to a particular subject, this impersonal construction is used to talk in a generalized manner about events or situations that do not have a specific subject.

The use of the impersonal si can substitute generalized subjects like:

  • La gente (people):

In Francia si parla francese = In Francia la gente parla francese. (In France people speak French).

  • Tutti (everyone):

D’estate si va in vacanza = D’estate tutti vanno in vacanza. (In the summer everyone goes on holiday).

  • Nessuno (no one):

Non si lavora la domenica = Nessuno lavora la domenica (No one works on Sundays).

You can use this construction if you want to avoid mentioning the specific subject of an action or event.

Si impersonale & si passivante: Rules

This impersonal construction is formed by using the word si followed by a verb.

If the verb is intransitive, which means it does not have a direct object, si will always be followed by the verb conjugated in the third person singular (i.e. the same as lui, lei).

If the verb is transitive, which means it does have a direct object, the verb that follows si will be conjugated either in the third person singular (lui, lei) or the third person plural (loro) according to the number of the object.

In this case, we can speak of si passivante, as the particle si is now making the construction of the sentence passive as well as impersonal.

Have a look at the following examples, in which mangiare is used both as an intransitive and as a transitive verb.

SI IMPERSONALE

In questo ristorante si mangia bene.

In this restaurant, one eats well.

In this example, mangiare is an intransitive verb and is used in the third person singular (si mangia).

SI PASSIVANTE

In asia si mangiano alcuni tipi d’insetti.

In Asia, people eat some kinds of insects

In this example, mangiare is a transitive verb and it is conjugated in the third person plural (si mangiano) according to its object (alcuni tipi d’insetti).

Both sentences are impersonal, the only difference is that the first does not have a subject at all, while the second one has a grammatical subject (alcuni tipi d’insetti) which has been made passive by the use of si.

Practice with Quizlet

Here's a set of flashcards and quizzes to practice this grammar topic.

Si impersonale: what you need to remember

Free Guide
How to Learn Languages Fast

Some sentences in Italian don’t have a specific subject, so they are called impersonal.

In Italian, there are different ways to create an impersonal sentence. One of the most popular is the use of the impersonal si.

So, how do you use it?

Unlike the reflexive si, which refers to a certain subject, this impersonal construction is used when talking about events or situations that don’t have a specific subject. In other words, it’s great for talking in a more general sense.

Plus, it can be used to replace generic subjects.

We hope this helps you understand how to use the impersonal si better!

What is the impersonal si in Italian?

There are several ways to structure an impersonal sentence in Italian. The use of the impersonal si is one of the most common ones.

What is the impersonal form?

Impersonal verbs are verbs that don't use a specific subject but rather use the generic subject it.

What is Si used for in Italian?

The Italian word for yes is sì. Similar to how it is used in English, it can be an interjection or an affirmative response. It's important to notice the severe accent above the i. Si can be used as a noun or a pronoun if the accent is removed.

Follow me to fluency​

Create a free lifetime account to get access to all the free courses and other resources.

4 Responses

  1. Dalla camera dell’albergo si vede il mare.
    You can see the sea from the hotel room.

    Would it also be correct while remaining impersonal to say:

    Dalla camera dell’albergo si possa vedere il mare.

    1. Ciao @donaldbell09@gmail.com!

      The impersonal construction is used when talking about events or situations that don’t have a specific subject. In other words, it’s great for talking more broadly. And it can be used to replace generic subjects.

      The sentence you wrote is not correct because when using the subjunctive you must use che: Sogno che dalla camera dell’albergo si possa vedere il mare.

      If you have any other doubts or questions please let us know.

  2. In the corresponding Grammar section it is cited:

    Bisogna fare silenzio al cinema durante il film.

    I noticed Lesson 117 goes into Impersonal Verbs and common impersonal forms like:
    Si dice – It is said
    Si sa – It is known
    Si pense – It is thought.

    So I just wondered if Bisogna fare silenzio could otherwise be in the Impersonal “Si bisogna fare silenzio” as in “One needs to be quiet” ?

    1. Ciao Donald!

      In Italian is incorrect to say “si bisogna” because even if it is an impersonal verb (only conjugated with the third person singular) it has only two main uses: bisogna + infinitive and bisogna che + subjunctive. At this link, you can learn more about bisogna.

      If you need to say “One needs to be quiet” you can say Bisogna stare zitti.

      Please let me know if I’ve answered your doubt or if it’s still not clear.

Leave a Reply

Take a free lesson today!

Create a free lifetime account to get access to all the free lessons and other resources.

I’ll also deliver my free resources my best offers to your mailbox (opt out at any time).

How to form the infinitive past in Italian? Learn the grammar with simple rules and examples and practice with audio lessons.
What does potere, volere and dovere express in Italian? There are some verbs that are special in Italian because they can be followed by other verbs. This is the case...
What are pronouns? If you’ve never studied a foreign language before, you may not know exactly what pronouns are… And that’s ok.  Pronouns are short words that replace one or...
Non sapevo che + subjunctive Here we are again with the subjunctive. You can check the previous lessons if you need to review something about the congiuntivo presente and the...
Try my courses for free​
Stefano

Log in

Reset password or get in touch.

Not a member yet? Join today!

How long to fluency?

Find out how long it will take you to master Italian!
Get on the right track in 3 minutes.

dolce vita logo

We're already friends!

Coming from Luca and Marina?
Here's a special deal for you!
Just tell me where I should send the coupon.

50% OFF
all language resources

We're already friends!

Coming from All Language Resources?
Here's a special deal for you!
Just tell me where I should send the coupon.

50% OFF
GRAB A COUPON NOW, REDEEM IT LATER
50% OFF

To receive free resources once a week together with my best offers, just tell me where to send everything. Opt out at any time.

Create a free lifetime account to get access to all the free lesson and other resources.