Subject Pronouns
ITALIAN 1
SIGNORINA VITAMIA
1st Person Singular
I = IO
- Use “io” when you want to speak about
yourself
- Ex:
- Io sono alta.  I am tall.
- Io ho un fratello.  I have one brother.
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
SUBJECT PRONOUNS
Singular
io = I
tu = you (informal)
lui = he
lei = she
Lei = you (formal)
Plural
noi = we
voi = you (all)
(informal)
loro = they
Loro = you (all)
(formal)