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In this Italian language lesson for non-native speakers, I'm going to explain how to use the word CI. In other words, I'll explain what CI means in Italian. Specifically, I'm gonna give you practical examples showing the different functions that the particle "ci" can have in a sentence. Moreover, I'm gonna explain the phrases with CI that are most frequently used by Italians. We Italians use some of these phrases several times a day. So this is a lesson that you shouldn't miss. By watching this video lesson, you will learn the main uses of the word CI (also referred to as “particle CI”).
If you learned Italian as a foreign language, you've come to the right place!
I've decided to make a lesson about "ci" because I've noticed that many non-native speakers have difficulty with this particle. If Italian is not your first language, chances are, you too have difficulty in using the particle "ci". That's because "ci" has several meanings and can be used in different ways. Among other things, it can be used as both a pronoun and an adverb.
In this video lesson, I'm going to provide an overview of the main uses of CI in Italian starting from some real-world sentences. But let's not waste our time and let's jump straight into our first example!
Meaning #1
The first example sentence with the word CI could be this: "Federica ci aiuta sempre". What does ci mean in this sentence? In this sentence, "ci" is a pronoun and stands for "us". So "Federica ci aiuta" means Federica helps us. So the first meaning of "ci" is accusative case of the first-person-plural personal pronoun. Specifically, CI is the unstressed form of this pronoun. In other words, CI is used a direct object with a transitive verb.
Let's move to the second meaning of "CI"!
Meaning #2
Let's consider the sentence: "Quando è arrivato, ci ha mandato un messaggio". What does ci mean in this case? In this case, the word CI is used as a pronoun and, specifically, "ci ha mandato" means "ha mandato A NOI". In this case "ci" specifies the individual to whom the message has been sent. But let's move on to the third use of the word CI!
Meaning #3
Let's consider the following dialogue:
- "Vai spesso in biblioteca"?
- "Sì, ci vado spesso".
What does CI mean in this case? In this case the particle CI is not a pronoun, is an adverb. In this case CI means: to that place (there). Therefore the phrase "ci vado spesso" could be rephrased like so: I often go there (to the library). Let's move on to the fourth meaning of the particle CI!
Meaning #4
Let's consider the sentence: "L'entrata è molto larga, ci passano anche i camion". In this case “ci passano” means through there can pass.
Meaning #5
For example, let's consider the sentence:
"Rimango qui perché ci sto benissimo".
What does this sentence mean? I stay here because here I feel great. So, in this case too, CI is an adverb and specifically it means: in this place, in the place we were talking about.
With this meaning, the word CI also appears in several idiomatic phrases, such as "Ci sei?" or “Non ci siamo proprio”. Let's move on to the 6th meaning of the word CI!
Meaning #6
For example, let's consider the sentence:
"In biblioteca ci sono molte persone".
I don't think that this sentence needs to be explained, because you surely know the phrase "c'è", "ci sono". I believe this is one of the first phrases which are taught in Italian courses. In this case, the particle CI is used to point to the existence of certain things or people, or to the fact that these are in a certain place. Like I said, you surely know the phrase "c'è", "ci sono", so there's really no need to delve into that.
However, there are some idiomatic phrases that you might not know, such as “c’è modo e modo” or “non c’è modo”. Let's move on to the seventh use of the particle CI!
Meaning #7
For example, let's consider this sentence: "Non ci credo". What does it mean? I don't believe that.
Or let's consider this sentence: "Va bene, ci penserò". What does it mean? I will think about that.
Or let's consider the sentence: "Ci puoi contare". What does it mean? You can count on that.
As you have seen in these examples, the word "ci" can also be used as a demonstrative pronoun introduced by a preposition. Alright. Let's move on to the eight use of "ci"!
Meaning #8
The word CI can be found in the verbs “volerci”, “starci”, “andarci”, “entrarci”, “metterci”. In all these cases the word CI has an idiomatic meaning.
Well, I hope everything is clear! If you wish to learn Italian well, please consider subscribing to my channel! As a matter of fact, here I regularly publish Italian lessons for non-native speakers. My lessons are aimed at those who want to go from intermediate to advanced level Italian. If you are attending an Italian language course, of if you just wish to improve your level, you might wanna subscribe! But only if your goal is to speak Italian naturally!