The Italian language offers two primary ways to express "he": the formal egli and the more common lui. For English speakers learning Italian, understanding these pronouns is fundamental to constructing meaningful sentences and engaging in everyday conversation. This lesson explores both forms, with emphasis on lui, which dominates modern spoken and written Italian.
Course Index and Additional Lessons
Definition: The English pronoun "he" corresponds to the Italian pronouns egli (formal/literary) and lui (common/colloquial). These third-person singular masculine pronouns refer to a male person or grammatically masculine entity previously mentioned or understood from context.
FAQ Schema: Question: What does "he" mean in Italian? Answer: "He" in Italian is expressed as "lui" in everyday conversation and "egli" in formal or literary contexts. Both are third-person singular masculine pronouns used to refer to a male person or masculine noun.
Educational Schema: Type: Language Learning Material Subject: Italian Language Level: Beginner to Intermediate Focus: Personal Pronouns - Third Person Singular Masculine Target Audience: English-speaking autodidact learners
How This Topic Word Will Be Used: Throughout this lesson, you will encounter "lui" (and occasionally "egli") in various sentence positions and contexts. The examples progress from simple subject positions to more complex constructions, demonstrating how Italian syntax differs from English. Special attention is given to subject pronoun usage, which is often optional in Italian due to verb conjugation patterns.
Key Takeaways: -
Italian has two words for "he": lui (common) and egli (formal) -
Subject pronouns are often omitted in Italian when the verb ending makes the subject clear -
Lui can be emphasized for contrast or clarity -
Position in the sentence can vary more than in English -
Understanding when to use or omit the pronoun is crucial for natural Italian
16.1 Lui he parla speaks italiano Italian molto very bene well
16.2 Ieri yesterday lui he ha has comprato bought un a libro book
16.3 Quando when arriva arrives lui he, iniziamo we-start la the riunione meeting
16.4 Dice says che that lui he verrà will-come domani tomorrow
16.5 A to lui him piace pleases il the caffè coffee forte strong
16.6 Stamattina this-morning lui he è is andato gone al to-the mercato market
16.7 Non not so I-know dove where lui he abiti lives ora now
16.8 Anche also lui he studia studies medicina medicine all' at-the università university
16.9 Lui he stesso himself ha has preparato prepared la the cena dinner
16.10 Penso I-think che that lui he sia is(subjunctive) molto very intelligente intelligent
16.11 Con with lui him lavoriamo we-work sempre always bene well
16.12 Forse perhaps lui he preferisce prefers rimanere to-remain a at casa home
16.13 Lui he mi to-me ha has detto told la the verità truth
16.14 Credevo I-believed che that lui he fosse was(subjunctive) francese French
16.15 Solo only lui he può can risolvere to-solve questo this problema problem
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16.1 Lui parla italiano molto bene. He speaks Italian very well.
16.2 Ieri lui ha comprato un libro. Yesterday he bought a book.
16.3 Quando arriva lui, iniziamo la riunione. When he arrives, we start the meeting.
16.4 Dice che lui verrà domani. He says that he will come tomorrow.
16.5 A lui piace il caffè forte. He likes strong coffee.
16.6 Stamattina lui è andato al mercato. This morning he went to the market.
16.7 Non so dove lui abiti ora. I don't know where he lives now.
16.8 Anche lui studia medicina all'università. He also studies medicine at the university.
16.9 Lui stesso ha preparato la cena. He himself prepared dinner.
16.10 Penso che lui sia molto intelligente. I think he is very intelligent.
16.11 Con lui lavoriamo sempre bene. We always work well with him.
16.12 Forse lui preferisce rimanere a casa. Perhaps he prefers to stay at home.
16.13 Lui mi ha detto la verità. He told me the truth.
16.14 Credevo che lui fosse francese. I thought he was French.
16.15 Solo lui può risolvere questo problema. Only he can solve this problem.
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16.1 Lui parla italiano molto bene.
16.2 Ieri lui ha comprato un libro.
16.3 Quando arriva lui, iniziamo la riunione.
16.4 Dice che lui verrà domani.
16.5 A lui piace il caffè forte.
16.6 Stamattina lui è andato al mercato.
16.7 Non so dove lui abiti ora.
16.8 Anche lui studia medicina all'università.
16.9 Lui stesso ha preparato la cena.
16.10 Penso che lui sia molto intelligente.
16.11 Con lui lavoriamo sempre bene.
16.12 Forse lui preferisce rimanere a casa.
16.13 Lui mi ha detto la verità.
16.14 Credevo che lui fosse francese.
16.15 Solo lui può risolvere questo problema.
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Grammar Rules for "He" in Italian
The Italian language provides two options for expressing "he": -
Egli - formal, literary, rarely used in spoken Italian -
Lui - common, colloquial, standard in modern Italian
Key Grammatical Points:
1. Subject Pronoun Usage Unlike English, Italian often omits subject pronouns because verb endings indicate the subject: -
English: "He speaks" (pronoun required) -
Italian: "Parla" (pronoun optional) or "Lui parla" (pronoun included for emphasis)
2. Position Flexibility Italian allows more flexible word order than English: -
"Lui parla italiano" (He speaks Italian) - standard order -
"Parla italiano lui" (He speaks Italian) - emphasizing "he"
3. Forms of "Lui" -
Subject: lui (he) -
After prepositions: lui (him) -
Emphatic: lui stesso (he himself)
Step-by-Step Guide to Using "Lui":
Step 1: Determine if the pronoun is necessary -
If the verb ending clearly indicates third person singular, the pronoun is optional -
Example: "Mangia" already means "he/she eats"
Step 2: Consider emphasis -
Use "lui" when contrasting with another person -
Example: "Lei studia francese, lui studia italiano" (She studies French, he studies Italian)
Step 3: Check preposition requirements -
After prepositions, always use "lui" -
Example: "con lui" (with him), "per lui" (for him)
Common Mistakes: -
Overusing the pronoun -
Incorrect: "Lui è italiano. Lui vive a Roma. Lui lavora in banca." -
Better: "È italiano. Vive a Roma. Lavora in banca." -
Using "egli" in conversation -
Avoid: "Egli viene stasera" -
Prefer: "Lui viene stasera" or simply "Viene stasera" -
Word order errors -
English speakers often rigidly place "lui" at the beginning -
Italian allows: "Lo fa sempre lui" (He always does it) -
Confusion with "gli" (to him) -
"Lui parla" (He speaks) -
"Gli parlo" (I speak to him)
Comparison with English:
English requires "he" in every sentence with a male subject. Italian's flexibility means: -
Explicit pronoun = emphasis or clarity -
Omitted pronoun = neutral, unmarked statement
Grammatical Summary:
Subject form: lui Object form (with prepositions): lui Possessive: suo/sua/suoi/sue Reflexive: si Emphatic: lui stesso
Note: When "lui" follows a preposition, it always maintains the same form, unlike English which changes "he" to "him".
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Understanding the use of "lui" versus "egli" reveals important aspects of Italian social dynamics and linguistic evolution. While textbooks often teach "egli" as the standard third-person pronoun, actual Italian usage tells a different story.
In contemporary Italy, "lui" dominates all registers except the most formal written texts. Using "egli" in conversation would sound antiquated, even pretentious. This shift from "egli" to "lui" mirrors broader changes in Italian society toward less formal communication styles.
The optional nature of subject pronouns in Italian reflects a fundamental difference from English. Italians view explicit pronoun use as marked behavior – adding emphasis, clarification, or contrast. An English speaker's tendency to always include "he" can make their Italian sound redundant or overly emphatic.
Regional variations exist in pronoun usage. Northern Italians might use pronouns more frequently, influenced by dialect substrates, while southern varieties often omit them entirely when context is clear. Roman Italian, influential in media, tends toward pronoun-dropping except for emphasis.
In professional settings, the choice between including or omitting "lui" can convey subtle meanings. Omitting the pronoun sounds more formal and impersonal, while including it can create a more direct, personal tone. This differs markedly from English, where pronoun use remains constant across registers.
Italian learners should also note that "lui" serves a broader range of functions than English "he/him," appearing after all prepositions without change. This grammatical simplification actually helps learners, eliminating the he/him distinction that English requires.
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Lui he non not sapeva knew più more chi who fosse he-was. Aveva he-had perduto lost ogni every certezza certainty di of sé himself. Guardandosi looking-at-himself allo in-the specchio mirror, lui he vedeva saw un an altro other, non not più more il the Mattia Mattia Pascal Pascal di of prima before.
"Lui non sapeva più chi fosse. Aveva perduto ogni certezza di sé. Guardandosi allo specchio, lui vedeva un altro, non più il Mattia Pascal di prima."
He no longer knew who he was. He had lost all certainty of himself. Looking at himself in the mirror, he saw another, no longer the Mattia Pascal of before.
Lui non sapeva più chi fosse. Aveva perduto ogni certezza di sé. Guardandosi allo specchio, lui vedeva un altro, non più il Mattia Pascal di prima.
This passage from Pirandello demonstrates sophisticated use of "lui" in literary Italian. Note: -
First "lui": Explicit subject pronoun emphasizing the protagonist's confusion about identity -
Verb forms without pronoun: "Aveva perduto" (he had lost) and "Guardandosi" (looking at himself) omit the pronoun, following standard Italian practice -
Second "lui": Returns for emphasis, highlighting the dramatic moment of self-recognition -
Subjunctive mood: "fosse" (he was) shows the subjunctive after "sapeva chi" (knew who), indicating uncertainty -
Reflexive construction: "Guardandosi" uses the reflexive pronoun "si" rather than repeating "lui"
The alternation between explicit "lui" and pronoun-dropping creates rhythm and emphasis, demonstrating how skilled Italian writers manipulate pronoun presence for literary effect.
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16.16 Appena as-soon-as lui he arrivò arrived a at Venezia Venice, rimase remained incantato enchanted dalla by-the bellezza beauty della of-the città city
16.17 Durante during il the viaggio journey lui he incontrò met molti many turisti tourists stranieri foreign
16.18 Lui he prenotò booked una a camera room in in un a piccolo small albergo hotel vicino near al to-the Canal Canal Grande Grande
16.19 La the mattina morning seguente following lui he si himself svegliò woke presto early per to visitare visit San Saint Marco Mark
16.20 Mentre while lui he camminava was-walking per through le the calli alleys, si himself perse lost completamente completely
16.21 Fortunatamente fortunately lui he aveva had portato brought una a mappa map della of-the città city
16.22 A at mezzogiorno noon lui he pranzò lunched in in una a trattoria tavern tipica typical veneziana Venetian
16.23 Lui he ordinò ordered risotto risotto al with-the nero black di of seppia cuttlefish e and vino wine bianco white
16.24 Nel in-the pomeriggio afternoon lui he fece took un a giro tour in in gondola gondola sotto under il the Ponte Bridge di of Rialto Rialto
16.25 Il the gondoliere gondolier gli to-him raccontò told che that lui he lavorava worked lì there da since vent' twenty anni years
16.26 Quando when lui he visitò visited il the Palazzo Palace Ducale Ducal, rimase remained impressionato impressed dall' by-the architettura architecture
16.27 La the sera evening lui he cenò dined in in un a ristorante restaurant con with vista view sulla on-the laguna lagoon
16.28 Prima before di of dormire sleeping lui he scrisse wrote cartoline postcards ai to-the suoi his amici friends
16.29 L' the ultimo last giorno day lui he comprò bought souvenir souvenirs in in vetro glass di of Murano Murano
16.30 Mentre while lui he aspettava was-waiting il the treno train, promise promised a to se himself stesso self di to ritornare return
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16.16 Appena lui arrivò a Venezia, rimase incantato dalla bellezza della città. As soon as he arrived in Venice, he was enchanted by the beauty of the city.
16.17 Durante il viaggio lui incontrò molti turisti stranieri. During the journey he met many foreign tourists.
16.18 Lui prenotò una camera in un piccolo albergo vicino al Canal Grande. He booked a room in a small hotel near the Grand Canal.
16.19 La mattina seguente lui si svegliò presto per visitare San Marco. The following morning he woke up early to visit Saint Mark's.
16.20 Mentre lui camminava per le calli, si perse completamente. While he was walking through the alleys, he got completely lost.
16.21 Fortunatamente lui aveva portato una mappa della città. Fortunately he had brought a map of the city.
16.22 A mezzogiorno lui pranzò in una trattoria tipica veneziana. At noon he had lunch in a typical Venetian tavern.
16.23 Lui ordinò risotto al nero di seppia e vino bianco. He ordered cuttlefish ink risotto and white wine.
16.24 Nel pomeriggio lui fece un giro in gondola sotto il Ponte di Rialto. In the afternoon he took a gondola ride under the Rialto Bridge.
16.25 Il gondoliere gli raccontò che lui lavorava lì da vent'anni. The gondolier told him that he had been working there for twenty years.
16.26 Quando lui visitò il Palazzo Ducale, rimase impressionato dall'architettura. When he visited the Doge's Palace, he was impressed by the architecture.
16.27 La sera lui cenò in un ristorante con vista sulla laguna. In the evening he dined in a restaurant with a view of the lagoon.
16.28 Prima di dormire lui scrisse cartoline ai suoi amici. Before sleeping he wrote postcards to his friends.
16.29 L'ultimo giorno lui comprò souvenir in vetro di Murano. The last day he bought Murano glass souvenirs.
16.30 Mentre lui aspettava il treno, promise a se stesso di ritornare. While he was waiting for the train, he promised himself to return.
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16.16 Appena lui arrivò a Venezia, rimase incantato dalla bellezza della città.
16.17 Durante il viaggio lui incontrò molti turisti stranieri.
16.18 Lui prenotò una camera in un piccolo albergo vicino al Canal Grande.
16.19 La mattina seguente lui si svegliò presto per visitare San Marco.
16.20 Mentre lui camminava per le calli, si perse completamente.
16.21 Fortunatamente lui aveva portato una mappa della città.
16.22 A mezzogiorno lui pranzò in una trattoria tipica veneziana.
16.23 Lui ordinò risotto al nero di seppia e vino bianco.
16.24 Nel pomeriggio lui fece un giro in gondola sotto il Ponte di Rialto.
16.25 Il gondoliere gli raccontò che lui lavorava lì da vent'anni.
16.26 Quando lui visitò il Palazzo Ducale, rimase impressionato dall'architettura.
16.27 La sera lui cenò in un ristorante con vista sulla laguna.
16.28 Prima di dormire lui scrisse cartoline ai suoi amici.
16.29 L'ultimo giorno lui comprò souvenir in vetro di Murano.
16.30 Mentre lui aspettava il treno, promise a se stesso di ritornare.
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Special Considerations for "Lui" in Travel Narratives
Travel narratives in Italian demonstrate unique patterns in pronoun usage that differ from general conversation:
1. Narrative Continuity In extended narratives about one person's experiences, Italian typically: -
Uses "lui" at the beginning to establish the subject -
Omits it in subsequent sentences unless needed for clarity -
Reintroduces it after scene changes or time transitions
2. Temporal Markers and Pronoun Use Notice how temporal expressions affect pronoun inclusion: -
"La mattina seguente lui si svegliò" - pronoun included after time shift -
"rimase impressionato" - pronoun omitted in continuous action
3. Two Different "Lui" References Example 16.25 shows sophisticated usage: -
"Il gondoliere gli raccontò che lui lavorava" -
First "lui" refers to the gondolier (not the tourist) -
Context determines reference
4. Pronoun with Reflexive Verbs When using reflexive verbs, Italian speakers often include "lui" for clarity: -
"lui si svegliò" (he woke up) -
"lui si perse" (he got lost)
5. Common Travel Narrative Patterns
Sequential actions often omit pronouns: -
"Arrivò, vide, conquistò" (He arrived, saw, conquered)
But pronouns return for: -
Emphasis: "Lui stesso decise" (He himself decided) -
Contrast: "Altri partirono, lui rimase" (Others left, he stayed) -
New paragraphs or scenes
Common Mistakes in Travel Narratives: -
Pronoun Overload English speakers tend to write: "Lui arrivò. Lui vide. Lui mangiò." Better: "Arrivò. Vide. Mangiò." -
Ambiguous References When multiple males appear, specify clearly: "Mario incontrò Giuseppe. Lui disse..." (Who said?) Better: Restate the name or restructure -
Missing Pronoun After Scene Changes After time/location shifts, reestablish the subject: "Il giorno dopo ∅ partì" can be unclear Better: "Il giorno dopo lui partì"
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