As if learning a new language weren't difficult enough, Romance languages such as Italian have separate forms of address in formal versus informal situations. This How-To has quick, step-by-step instructions on how to use the formal and informal subject pronouns tu, voi, lei, and loro.
Difficulty: Average
Time Required: 60 minutes
Here's How:
- There are four ways of saying you in Italian: tu, voi, Lei, and Loro. Tu (for one person) and voi (for two or more people) are the familiar forms, used only with family members, children, and close friends.
- Use Lei (for one person, male or female) and its plural Loro in more formal situations to address strangers, acquaintances, older people, or people in authority.
- Capitalize Lei and Loro to distinguish them from lei (she) and loro (they).
- An Italian will often propose: «Possiamo darci del tu?» which figuratively means "May we switch to the tu form?" after a relationship progresses. Such a request is hardly ever refused.
Tips:
- When speaking to strangers, the third person is the polite form (i.e., Lei instead of tu for "you"). Using the second person is a mark of disrespect.
- It's also worth remembering that Italians don't use "please" and "thank you" half as much as Americans do; it's implied in the tone, though if you're in any doubt, err on the polite side.
