Italian Pronouns [with audio]

Pronouns are essential in Italian because they help avoid repetition and make sentences sound natural. In this lesson, we’ll explore subject pronouns and how they are commonly used in conversation.

1. Italian subject pronouns

In English, subject pronouns (“I,” “you,” “he,” “she,” etc.) are always necessary, but in Italian, they are often omitted because the verb conjugation already indicates the subject. Here is a list of Italian subject pronouns:

Italian English io I tu you (informal) lui / lei he / she noi we voi you (plural) loro they

Key notes:

• “Tu” is used in informal situations (friends, family, children).
• “Lei” (meaning “she”) is also used as a formal “you” when addressing someone politely.
• “Voi” is the plural form of “you” (used for groups of people).
• “Loro” (“they”) is used for both masculine and feminine groups.

2. Common uses of pronouns in conversation

2.1 Omitting subject pronouns

In Italian, subject pronouns are often not necessary because the verb ending already tells us who the subject is:

Example:

• (Io) parlo italiano. → Parlo italiano. (I speak Italian.)
• (Tu) studi spagnolo? → Studi spagnolo? (Do you study Spanish?)
• (Lui) lavora in banca. → Lavora in banca. (He works in a bank.)
• (Lei) abita a Roma. → Abita a Roma. (She lives in Rome.)
• (Noi) viviamo a Milano. → Viviamo a Milano. (We live in Milan.)
• (Voi) andate al cinema stasera? → Andate al cinema stasera? (Are you all going to the movies tonight?)
• (Loro) mangiano spesso fuori. → Mangiano spesso fuori. (They often eat out.)

However, pronouns are used for emphasis or when the subject is unclear.

Example:

• Io voglio un gelato! (I want an ice cream!)
• Tu devi studiare di più. (You need to study more.)
• Lui è sempre in ritardo. (He is always late.)
• Lei lavora in un ufficio, lui lavora da casa. (She works in an office, he works from home.)
• Noi preferiamo la pizza alla pasta. (We prefer pizza over pasta.)
• Voi avete finito i compiti? (Have you all finished your homework?)
• Loro non vogliono venire alla festa. (They don’t want to come to the party.)

2.2 Using “Lei” as a formal “You”

To be polite, especially with strangers, older people, or in professional settings, use “Lei” instead of “tu.”

Example:

• Tu sei italiano? (Are you Italian? – Informal)
• Lei è italiano? (Are you Italian? – Formal)

2.3 Addressing a group with “Voi”

“Voi” is used to address more than one person.

Example:

• Voi studiate italiano? (Do you all study Italian?)
• Ragazzi, voi siete pronti? (Guys, are you ready?)

2.4 “Loro” for groups

When talking about multiple people, use “loro.”

Example:

• Loro parlano inglese. (They speak English.)
• Loro abitano in Francia. (They live in France.)

Practice exercises

A. Fill in the blanks with the correct subject pronoun (io, tu, lui, lei, noi, voi, loro).

1. __ sono americano. (I am American.)
2. __ sei uno studente? (Are you a student?)
3. __ vive a Milano. (He/She lives in Milan.)
4. __ andiamo in vacanza in Spagna. (We are going on vacation to Spain.)
5. __ siete insegnanti? (Are you (plural) teachers?)
6. __ parlano tre lingue. (They speak three languages.)

B. Rewrite the sentences without the subject pronoun when possible.

1. Io studio italiano. → __________
2. Tu lavori a Roma? → __________
3. Noi mangiamo la pizza ogni sabato. → __________

You can write your answers in the comments. I’ll check and correct them for you! ✅