Il verbo essere · C’è / Ci sono
The verb essere (to be) and the expressions c’è / ci sono (there is / there are) are essential in everyday Italian. You will use them constantly to describe, identify, and point out the existence of things.
Essere — Present Tense
| Italian | English | Example |
|---|---|---|
| io sono | I am | Io sono felice. → I am happy. |
| tu sei | you are | Tu sei pronto? → Are you ready? |
| lui/lei è | he/she is | Lei è italiana. → She is Italian. |
| noi siamo | we are | Noi siamo amici. → We are friends. |
| voi siete | you are (plural) | Voi siete studenti. → You are students. |
| loro sono | they are | Loro sono felici. → They are happy. |
C’è / Ci sono — There is / There are
| Italian | English | Example |
|---|---|---|
| c’è | there is (singular) | C’è un libro sul tavolo. → There is a book on the table. |
| ci sono | there are (plural) | Ci sono due penne nella borsa. → There are two pens in the bag. |
| non c’è | there isn’t | Non c’è latte in frigo. → There isn’t any milk in the fridge. |
| non ci sono | there aren’t | Non ci sono biscotti. → There aren’t any cookies. |
Notes
- Essere is used to describe identity, nationality, professions, characteristics, and simple location.
- C’è / ci sono introduce the existence or presence of something, often new information.
- In questions: C’è un bagno qui vicino? → Is there a bathroom nearby?
- Always write c’è with the accent (not ce’).
We hope this lesson was helpful and gave you more clarity on your Italian learning journey. Keep practicing step by step—every word you learn brings you closer to fluency!
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