What Are Italian Pronouns?
Italian pronouns are short words that replace a noun: subject pronouns (io, tu, lui/lei, noi, voi, loro), object pronouns (mi, ti, lo, la, ci, vi, li, le), reflexive pronouns (mi, ti, si) and the particles ci and ne. Most of them go before the verb, but they attach to the end of the verb with infinitives, gerunds and the informal imperative.
In linguistics, a pronoun is a word that substitutes a noun or noun phrase. There are several types of pronouns in Italian, and their placement may vary depending on the type of verb they depend on.
Here are the most important pronouns you should know before diving into a detailed explanation about how to use them:
- Direct object pronouns: These are the object of transitive verbs. They are directly linked to the verb without the use of any preposition.
Ho comprato i biscotti al cioccolato -> Li ho comprati
I bought chocolate cookies -> I bought them
- Indirect object pronouns: These stand for the person to whom something is given, said or done. They are linked to the verb with the use of a preposition, usually a.
Ha prestato un libro a me -> Mi ha prestato un libro
S/he lent a book to me -> S/he lent me a book
- Personal pronouns: You might know these as subjects. These are the Italian io, tu, lui/lei/Lei, noi, voi, loro. These pronouns are not relevant for the current topic.
- pronoun ci: Normally translated into “there”, is used for places.
Andiamo a Roma ogni anno -> Ci andiamo ogni anno
We go to Rome -> We go there every year
- pronoun ne: Used to refer to topics and parts of amounts. It substitutes objects that are introduced by the preposition di.
Dovete tagliare due fette di torta -> Dovete tagliarne due
You have to cut two slices of cake -> You have to cut two (of them)
Italian Pronouns at a Glance
| Type | Forms | Example |
| Subject | io, tu, lui/lei, noi, voi, loro | Io parlo italiano. (I speak Italian.) |
| Direct object | mi, ti, lo, la, ci, vi, li, le | Lo vedo. (I see him/it.) |
| Indirect object | mi, ti, gli, le, ci, vi, gli | Gli scrivo. (I write to him.) |
| Reflexive | mi, ti, si, ci, vi, si | Mi lavo. (I wash myself.) |
| Stressed (after a preposition) | me, te, lui, lei, noi, voi, loro | Vieni con me? (Are you coming with me?) |
| Place and quantity | ci, ne | Ci vado. (I’m going there.) Ne voglio due. (I want two of them.) |
| Combined | me lo, te lo, glielo, ce ne | Me lo dai? (Will you give it to me?) |
For more, see my lessons on reflexive pronouns and double pronouns.
Stressed pronouns
The stressed pronouns me, te, lui, lei, noi, voi, loro come after a preposition or when you want to emphasise the person. They do not attach to the verb.
Penso spesso a te.
I often think of you.
Chiama me, non lui!
Call me, not him!
Pronoun Placement
This table shows where the pronoun goes for each verb form. The details follow below.
| Verb form | Pronoun position | Example |
| Finite verb (present, past, future…) | before the verb | Lo mangio. (I eat it.) |
| Formal imperative | before the verb | Lo mangi! (Eat it!) |
| Informal imperative (affirmative) | attached to the end | Mangialo! (Eat it!) |
| Infinitive | attached to the end, or before a modal verb | Voglio mangiarlo. / Lo voglio mangiare. |
| Gerund | attached to the end | Guardandolo, sorrido. (Looking at him, I smile.) |
| Negative informal imperative | before or after the infinitive | Non lo mangiare! / Non mangiarlo! |
Pronouns Preceding the Verb
Unlike English, most Italian pronouns precede the verb. This is statistically the most common occurrence, because pronouns precede the verbs when the verb is:
- A finite verb, that is, a verb that displays tense, person, and number (present, past, future etc…)
- Formal imperative, that is, the imperative form with the formal lei.
Therefore, the standard word order for Italian pronouns is:
Subject (if expressed) + pronoun + verb
Che regalo hai comprato a Marta per il suo compleanno?
What present did you buy to Marta for her birthday?
Le ho regalato un libro.
I gave her a book.
Ho comprato una nuova borsa. L’ho presa al mio negozio preferito.
I bought a new bag. I took it at my favorite shop.
Signora, mi ascolti per favore.
Miss, listen to me please.
As you can see, before a verb that starts with “h” or a vowel (like ho or ha), the direct pronouns la (her) and lo (him) drop their vowels and become l‘. This does not apply to the plural pronouns, therefore li (them) and le (them) never drop the vowel.
Hai preso le mie chiavi? – No, non le ho prese.
Have you taken my keys? – No, I haven’t taken them.
The pronouns mi (me) and ti (you) can also drop their vowel before a verb that starts with a vowel or “h”, as in m’ha detto (s/he told me) or t’ho visto (I saw you). This is common in speech and less common in formal writing.
Pronouns Following the Verb
Italian pronouns can also follow the verb. This is less common, as it happens when the verb is:
- A non-finite verb, that is, a verb that displays no tense, no person, no number. These verbs are gerund, participle, and infinitive. However, infinite is pretty flexible, so you can find both!
- Informal imperative, that is, the imperative form with the informal tu
Therefore, the order for pronouns that follow the verb in Italian is:
Subject (if expressed) + verb + pronoun
Capirai solo studiandolo.
You will understand only by studying it.
Portami l’acqua che sta in cucina per favore.
Bring me the water in the kitchen please.
Infinitive: Special Case
As I mentioned before, the infinitive tense is flexible, which means that pronouns can both precede and follow it. However, the use of the infinitive is very wide, so it is important that you understand properly how to use pronouns with it.
Challenge your knowledge
How do you form the negative form of the informal imperative? With the infinitive! This means that pronouns can both precede and follow this form, therefore the pronouns placement of the negative imperative is something you might want to deepen.
Non lo mangiare, è scaduto! / Non mangiarlo, è scaduto!
Do not eat it, it has expired.
Also, remember that modal verbs are always followed by the infinitive. If you want to place pronouns before the main verb, this must precede the modal verb as well.
This rule works the same for volere, dovere, potere, and sapere. With compound tenses, the pronoun always goes before the auxiliary essere or avere, as in L’ho comprato (I bought it).
Ho fame, lo posso mangiare? / Ho fame, posso mangiarlo?
I am hungry, can I eat it?
So che non dovevo, ma l‘ho voluto comprare / So che non dovevo, ma ho voluto comprarlo.
I know I didn’t have to, but I wanted to buy it.
Short Imperatives: dammi, dimmi, fammi
A few one-syllable informal imperatives (da’ from dare, di’ from dire, fa’ from fare, va’ from andare, sta’ from stare) double the first consonant of the pronoun. The pronoun gli is the exception and does not double.
Dammi il libro, per favore.
Give me the book, please.
Dimmi la verità!
Tell me the truth!
Fammi vedere.
Let me see.
Digli di venire.
Tell him to come.
For more on this, read my lesson on the affirmative imperative with pronouns.
Ecco with Pronouns
The word ecco (here is, here you are) also takes the pronoun at the end.
Eccomi!
Here I am!
Ecco le chiavi. Eccole!
Here are the keys. Here they are!
Practice: Place the Pronoun
Replace the underlined words with a pronoun. Answers are below.
- Ho comprato le scarpe. -> ___ ho comprate.
- Voglio dire una cosa a Marco. -> ___ voglio dire una cosa. / Voglio dir___ una cosa.
- Dai a me il libro! -> ___ il libro!
- Parlo di quel film. -> ___ parlo.
Answers: 1. Le ho comprate. 2. Gli voglio dire una cosa. / Voglio dirgli una cosa. 3. Dammi il libro! 4. Ne parlo.
