Italian Lesson n.4 - Italian personal subject pronouns & the verb "to be"

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In this fourth lesson you will learn personal subject pronouns and the simple present tense of the verb "to be" (in Italian "essere").
Try to memorize the conjugation of this verb. It's really important to know it, plus this verb is used quite a bit in Italian language. If you have any question you can mail me or contact me on Skype =).
Enjoy!

Category:

Education

Tags:

• Italian
• Lesson
• Learn
• Verb
• Conjugation
• To
• Be
• Essere
• Formal
• Informal
• English
• Language

[lou131]

When you say saltavi, it is in the past? and salterebbe and salteranno are in the future? But salto is in the present right?

[Rocket277]

Saltavi = You jumped (past)

Salterebbe = He/She/It would jump (conditional, but it's still present)

Salteranno = They will jump (future)

[jessicasalgad0]

lui and lei are confusing! =S

[amarcos718]

thank you for these lessons.

i'm going to be visiting Italy for a month and am trying to learn as much as i can..

luckly i am fluent in spanish so it helps a bit.

thanks again!

[ohwelI]

How do we know when to use lui/lei/lui instead of egli/ella/esso?? (in cases other than formal speaking). Also which one should I use essi, esse or loro? In other words, which form of he/she/it and they is the most commonly used in Italy? I'm confused!

[zanzazanzara]

@ric94jim Parlo un po' l'italiano

[bunbacheso]

@xstaticprocess2x I think "essere" is only used for permanent things, such as "to be Italian" or "to be a woman". If it's temporary, like "to be fine/well (right now)", use the verb "stare".

[xstaticprocess2x]

the videos really help.thanks a lot.can anyone explain the usage of "stanno" and "sta"?"Loro stanno molto bene" is written in my book but i wonder why cant we say "Loro sono molto bene"??

[ric94jim]

How do you say: " I speak a little italian" in italian?

[badvortex]

@classico6788 just use 'Loro'... that's fine ;)

[badvortex]

@Vasyukov yes... maybe 'hai saltato' o 'saltasti' is more correct if u are talking about a past action. but remember we can use 'saltavi' (imperfetto) also to say an action in the past which doesn't repeat itself anymore (corresponding to 'I used to' in English). ;)

[Vasyukov]

is "hai saltato" as equally acceptable as "saltavi"?

[DrSAM69]

@rubisuperstar16 He's from the south and thats why he pronounces GLI like YYI (or eng YEE).

The true pronounciation is something like LYI (or eng LYEE) (flatten tip of the tongue on the front palate just before the teeth and while making the L sound pronounce YI right away by letting the tongue fall forward).

Both pronounciations are just as good wherever you go so just choose the one you prefer.

[DrSAM69]

@classico6788 Essi and Esse like Egli/Esso and Ella/Essa are very old fashioned ways to say They (f&m) and He or She.

The only place where you will find them is books or if someone is reciting or wants to use a poetic tone.

Also, the guy forgot something.

When speaking formally both Voi and Lei can be used, Lei even if fem. (because it derives from sua grazia/your grace, sua altezza/your highness and other f. adj) is used for both male and female.

When speaking formally to many always use Voi.