Italian language

Learn Italian: what does "CI" mean? [Ask Manu Italiano Ep.007]

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• published: 12 Jul 2016
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http://www.italymadeeasy.com/ask007/ What is this "CI" I see everywhere? One of the most recurring and obscure words in Italian for students of Italian is "CI". "CI" is a "particle", that it, it's a little word that we use to create specific meaning, but it does not refer to an object or anything like that. It is NOT a noun. In this lesson we look at the many possible meanings of CI and we try to simplify the task of understanding which meaning it's being used each time. ___________________________________ Meaning of "US" [Direct Object Pronoun] The most common meaning of "CI" is as a Direct Object Pronoun (the object of a verb). Specifically "CI" refers to anything that has to do with "US" (as in, "you and me"). Some Examples LORO CI AMANO They love us TU CI VEDI You see us Like all Direct Object Pronouns, CI goes right before the verb (unlike in English). ___________________________________ Meaning of "TO US" or "FOR US" [Indirect Object Pronoun] Another common meaning of "CI" is as an Indirect Object Pronoun meaning "FOR US" or "TO US". It basically replaces the recipient of a verb. Some Examples LEI CI DA UN LIBRO She gives us a book (she gives a book to us) CI HANNO PORTATO UN TIRAMISÙ They brought us a tiramisù (they brought a tiramisù to us) Like all Indirect Object Pronouns, CI goes right before the verb (unlike in English). ___________________________________ Meaning of "OURSELVES" or "EACH OTHER"[Reflexive Pronoun] When used with Reflexive Verbs or Reciprocal Verbs, "CI" means "OURSELVES" or "EACH OTHER", based on the context. Some Examples NOI CI LAVIAMO We wash ourselves NOI CI AMAVAMO We used to love each other NOI CI RICORDIAMO We remember All of the above sentences use "reflexive verbs", that is verbs that have an infinitive that looks like this: LAVARSI (to wash oneself or wash each other) AMARSI (to love oneself, or love each other) RICORDARSI (to remember) This means that we MUST add a reflexive pronoun before the verb if we want to maintain their original meaning. This can be a tricky thing for learners of Italian, as not all verbs that are reflexive in Italian are reflexive in English. For example, RICORDARSI simply means "to remember", so you might at times forget to use the reflexive pronoun... but you have to use it! RICORDARE, without the pronoun, means "TO REMIND". ___________________________________ Meaning of "THERE" A very frequent and somehow difficult to catch meaning of "CI" is "THERE", used to replace a place that was previously mentioned. Some Examples - QUANDO VAI A ROMA? - CI VADO DOMANI - When are you going to Rome? - I'm going (there) tomorrow - PERCHÉ HAI LA BORSA? - PER METTERCI I SOLDI! - Why do you have a bag? - To put money in it NEL FRIGO C'È UNA BIRRA There's a beer in the fridge PER CENA C'È LA PIZZA There's pizza for dinner TI CI PORTO I'll take you there "CI" with the meaning of "THERE" can only be used right BEFORE the verb. It cannot be used at the end of a sentence, with the meaning of "OVER THERE" (for which we use either "LÀ" or "LÌ"). DOMANI CI VADO Tomorrow I'm going there (the place we are talking about) DOMANI VADO LÀ Tomorrow I'm going there (the place I'm pointing at) ___________________________________ Meaning of "ABOUT IT" Now this one is really hard to get used to... Sometimes "CI" simply means "ABOUT IT" and refers back to whatever was said... and often is not translated into English. Some Examples - CHI PREPARA LA CENA? - CI PENSO IO - Who's making dinner? - I'll think about it (as in "I'll take care of it") CI PENSI CHE DOMANI SAREMO IN ITALIA? Can you believe that tomorrow we'll be in Italy? (can you think about the fact that ...) - VIENI CON NOI AL CINEMA? - FAMMICI PENSARE - Are you coming to the cinema with us? - Let me think about it "CI" with the meaning of "ABOUT IT" is often encountered with verbs of opinion like PENSARE (to think), CREDERE (to believe) and TROVARE (to find). ___________________________________ "CI" with basically NO MEANING! And this one is the one that drives most learners of Italian mad. Very often you will see/hear a CI and won't be able to make sense of it. And that's because that particular instance of CI has no meaning/translation in English!! Mad, right? Well, not so much! While it may not have a direct translation into English, that CI has all the right to be there, because it's part of a verb that you probably don't know. But think you know! The verbs below ALL exist in their basic form (the one you probably know) AS WELL AS in their form with the CI attached. CREDERCI METTERCI AVERCELA FARCELA VEDERCI Check out for the full lesson http://www.italymadeeasy.com/ask007/