What does loro mean in Italian?
Loro is the third person plural subject pronoun in Italian, meaning “they.” It is also — remarkably — the same word used for the third person plural object and indirect object pronoun (”them,” “to them”), and as a possessive adjective meaning “their.” In formal registers, loro additionally serves as the polite second person pronoun (”you” — formal, addressing one or more people). This extraordinary range of uses makes loro one of the most structurally significant words in the language.
Italian is a pro-drop language: because Italian verb endings encode person and number, the subject pronoun is very often omitted. Parlano italiano already means “They speak Italian” — the -ano ending identifies the subject as third person plural. Loro is added when the speaker wishes to emphasise, contrast, or disambiguate. Mastering when to use and when to omit loro is one of the key steps toward natural Italian.
FAQ: What does loro mean in Italian?
Q: What does loro mean in Italian? A: Loro primarily means “they” (subject pronoun, 3rd person plural). Example: Loro arrivano domani — “They are arriving tomorrow.” It also means “them,” “to them,” and “their.”
Q: Do Italians always say loro for “they”? A: No. Because Italian verb endings carry person and number, the subject pronoun is routinely dropped. Arrivano domani is the normal way to say “They are arriving tomorrow.” Loro arrivano domani places emphasis on who is arriving.
Q: What is the difference between loro and essi/esse? A: Essi (masculine plural) and esse (feminine plural) are the literary and formal equivalents of loro as subject pronoun. They appear in written prose, legal documents, and classical texts, but are absent from ordinary speech. In modern spoken and informal written Italian, loro serves both genders.
Q: Is loro the same as the polite “you”? A: In very formal Italian — especially in business correspondence, luxury retail, and traditional service contexts — Loro (capitalised) is used as an ultra-formal second person plural “you.” This usage is declining in modern Italian, but you will encounter it in formal letters and high-end establishments.
Q: How does loro work as a possessive? A: As a possessive adjective, loro is invariable — it never changes form regardless of the gender or number of the noun it modifies. Il loro amico (their male friend), la loro amica (their female friend), i loro figli (their children), le loro case (their houses).
How loro will be used in this lesson:
The 15 examples below present loro in its full range: as a subject pronoun (explicit and for contrast), as object and indirect object, as a possessive adjective, and in comparison with pro-drop constructions. The examples range from everyday conversation to more complex clauses, illustrating how Italian speakers deploy or omit this pronoun for maximum communicative effect.
Key Takeaways: -
Loro = “they” (subject pronoun), but is regularly omitted in pro-drop constructions -
Loro = “them” (object), “to them” (indirect object) -
loro = “their” (possessive adjective, invariable) -
Loro = ultra-formal “you” (declining use, but still encountered) -
Essi/esse = literary/written equivalents of subject loro -
Contrast with explicit loro is a key expressive tool in Italian
Course index: https://latinum.substack.com/p/index
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Loro = /ˈloːro/ — two syllables, stress on the first. The o vowels are both the close-mid /oː/ sound, similar to English “lore” but without any glide. Italian vowels are pure and do not diphthongise.
Vowel quality in Italian: Italian has seven vowel phonemes in stressed position: /a/, /ɛ/, /e/, /i/, /ɔ/, /o/, /u/. The distinction between open /ɛ/ (bello — beautiful) and close /e/ (mese — month), and between open /ɔ/ (cosa — thing) and close /o/ (come — how), is phonemic in some varieties of Italian, though less consistently maintained in spoken northern Italian. Standard Italian (based on educated Florentine/Roman usage) maintains these distinctions.
Pro-drop and rhythm: When the subject pronoun is omitted — as it very commonly is — the verb carries full stress and the sentence rhythm is tighter. Parlano italiano has three stresses: PAR-la-no i-ta-LIA-no. Adding Loro adds a stressed beat at the front: LO-ro PAR-la-no i-ta-LIA-no — which gives the sentence a different, more emphatic cadence. Listening for this rhythmic difference helps learners internalise when Italians choose to use the pronoun.
Transliteration convention: Parenthetical notation in this lesson gives IPA phonetic transcription.
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Granular word-by-word glossing with IPA pronunciation in parentheses.
24.1 Loro (/ˈloːro/) they parlano (/ˈparlano/) speak-3PL italiano (/itaˈljaːno/) Italian molto (/ˈmolto/) very bene (/ˈbɛːne/) well .
They speak Italian very well.
24.2 Loro (/ˈloːro/) they sono (/ˈsoːno/) are arrivati (/arriˈvaːti/) arrived-PAST.MASC.PL ieri (/ˈjɛːri/) yesterday sera (/ˈseːra/) evening .
They arrived yesterday evening.
24.3 Noi (/nɔi/) we restiamo (/resˈtjaːmo/) stay-1PL a (/a/) at casa (/ˈkaːza/) home , ma (/ma/) but loro (/ˈloːro/) they escono (/ˈɛʃʃono/) go-out-3PL ogni (/ˈoɲɲi/) every sera (/ˈseːra/) evening .
We stay at home, but they go out every evening.
24.4 Ho (/ɔ/) I-have chiamato (/kjaˈmaːto/) called-PAST Marco (/ˈmarko/) Marco e (/e/) and Giulia (/ˈdʒuːlja/) Giulia , ma (/ma/) but loro (/ˈloːro/) they non (/non/) not hanno (/ˈanno/) have risposto (/risˈposto/) answered-PAST .
I called Marco and Giulia, but they did not answer.
24.5 La (/la/) the loro (/ˈloːro/) their casa (/ˈkaːza/) house è (/ɛ/) is grande (/ˈɡrande/) big e (/e/) and luminosa (/lumiˈnoːza/) bright-FEM .
Their house is big and bright.
24.6 Ho (/ɔ/) I-have scritto (/ˈskriːtto/) written-PAST loro (/ˈloːro/) them-DAT una (/ˈuːna/) a lettera (/ˈlɛttera/) letter , ma (/ma/) but non (/non/) not ho (/ɔ/) have ricevuto (/ritʃeˈvuːto/) received-PAST risposta (/risˈposta/) answer .
I wrote them a letter, but I received no reply.
24.7 Loro (/ˈloːro/) they non (/non/) not sanno (/ˈsanno/) know-3PL niente (/ˈnjɛnte/) nothing di (/di/) of questo (/ˈkwesto/) this .
They know nothing about this.
24.8 I (/i/) the-MASC.PL loro (/ˈloːro/) their figli (/ˈfiʎʎi/) children studiano (/ˈstuːdjano/) study-3PL all’ (/all/) at-the università (/universiˈta/) university di (/di/) of Bologna (/boˈloɲɲa/) Bologna .
Their children study at the University of Bologna.
24.9 Dipende (/diˈpɛnde/) it-depends da (/da/) from loro (/ˈloːro/) them , non (/non/) not da (/da/) from noi (/nɔi/) us .
It depends on them, not on us.
24.10 Quando (/ˈkwando/) when arrivano (/arˈriːvano/) arrive-3PL , digli (/ˈdiʎʎi/) tell-them-IMP di (/di/) to aspettare (/aspetˈtaːre/) wait .
When they arrive, tell them to wait.
24.11 Loro (/ˈloːro/) they hanno (/ˈanno/) have ragione (/raˈdʒoːne/) reason/right : noi (/nɔi/) we abbiamo (/abˈbjaːmo/) have sbagliato (/zbaʎˈʎaːto/) made-mistake-PAST .
They are right: we made a mistake.
24.12 Il (/il/) the professore (/profesˈsoːre/) professor ha (/a/) has spiegato (/spjeˈɡaːto/) explained-PAST la (/la/) the grammatica (/ɡramˈmaːtika/) grammar , ma (/ma/) but loro (/ˈloːro/) they non (/non/) not ascoltavano (/askoltaˈvano/) listened-IMPF .
The professor explained the grammar, but they were not listening.
24.13 Conosco (/koˈnoʃʃo/) I-know la (/la/) the loro (/ˈloːro/) their storia (/ˈstɔːrja/) story : è (/ɛ/) is triste (/ˈtriste/) sad .
I know their story: it is sad.
24.14 Essi (/ˈɛssi/) they-MASC.PL.LITER erano (/ˈɛːrano/) were-IMPF i (/i/) the migliori (/miˈʎʎoːri/) best-PL guerrieri (/ɡwerˈrjɛːri/) warriors del (/del/) of-the regno (/ˈreɲɲo/) kingdom .
They were the finest warriors of the kingdom.
24.15 Senza (/ˈsɛntsa/) without di (/di/) of loro (/ˈloːro/) them , non (/non/) not avremmo (/aˈvrɛmmo/) we-would-have vinto (/ˈvinto/) won-PAST .
Without them, we would not have won.
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Complete Italian sentences with idiomatic English translations.
24.1 Loro parlano italiano molto bene. “They speak Italian very well.”
24.2 Loro sono arrivati ieri sera. “They arrived yesterday evening.”
24.3 Noi restiamo a casa, ma loro escono ogni sera. “We stay at home, but they go out every evening.”
24.4 Ho chiamato Marco e Giulia, ma loro non hanno risposto. “I called Marco and Giulia, but they did not answer.”
24.5 La loro casa è grande e luminosa. “Their house is big and bright.”
24.6 Ho scritto loro una lettera, ma non ho ricevuto risposta. “I wrote them a letter, but I received no reply.”
24.7 Loro non sanno niente di questo. “They know nothing about this.”
24.8 I loro figli studiano all’università di Bologna. “Their children study at the University of Bologna.”
24.9 Dipende da loro, non da noi. “It depends on them, not on us.”
24.10 Quando arrivano, digli di aspettare. “When they arrive, tell them to wait.”
24.11 Loro hanno ragione: noi abbiamo sbagliato. “They are right: we made a mistake.”
24.12 Il professore ha spiegato la grammatica, ma loro non ascoltavano. “The professor explained the grammar, but they were not listening.”
24.13 Conosco la loro storia: è triste. “I know their story: it is sad.”
24.14 Essi erano i migliori guerrieri del regno. “They were the finest warriors of the kingdom.”
24.15 Senza di loro, non avremmo vinto. “Without them, we would not have won.”
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Pure Italian — as the language appears in native texts and speech.
24.1 Loro parlano italiano molto bene.
24.2 Loro sono arrivati ieri sera.
24.3 Noi restiamo a casa, ma loro escono ogni sera.
24.4 Ho chiamato Marco e Giulia, ma loro non hanno risposto.
24.5 La loro casa è grande e luminosa.
24.6 Ho scritto loro una lettera, ma non ho ricevuto risposta.
24.7 Loro non sanno niente di questo.
24.8 I loro figli studiano all’università di Bologna.
24.9 Dipende da loro, non da noi.
24.10 Quando arrivano, digli di aspettare.
24.11 Loro hanno ragione: noi abbiamo sbagliato.
24.12 Il professore ha spiegato la grammatica, ma loro non ascoltavano.
24.13 Conosco la loro storia: è triste.
24.14 Essi erano i migliori guerrieri del regno.
24.15 Senza di loro, non avremmo vinto.
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These are the grammar rules for loro (they/them/their) in Italian.
1. Loro as subject pronoun
Loro is the third person plural subject pronoun for all genders in spoken Italian. In its subject function it is used for both mixed groups and same-gender groups:
Loro parlano — they speak (group of any composition) Loro mangiano — they eat
As noted above, Italian is pro-drop: the subject pronoun is omitted whenever the context is clear. The conjugated verb parlano already encodes “they.” Loro is added for emphasis or contrast:
Parlano italiano. — They speak Italian. (neutral, unmarked) Loro parlano italiano, non noi. — They speak Italian, not us. (contrastive)
2. Essi and esse — literary subject pronouns
In formal writing, journalism, and literary Italian:
essi (/ˈɛssi/) — they (masculine or mixed group) esse (/ˈɛsse/) — they (feminine group only)
These pronouns are not pro-dropped in formal prose because their use is already marked. You will encounter them in newspapers, legislation, academic writing, and literature. In speech, both are replaced entirely by loro.
Example (formal): Essi costituiscono la maggioranza della popolazione. (They constitute the majority of the population.) Example (spoken): Loro sono la maggioranza. (They are the majority.)
3. Loro as indirect object pronoun (to them)
When loro functions as an indirect object, it means “to them” and — uniquely among Italian indirect object pronouns — it follows the verb rather than preceding it:
Ho scritto loro. — I wrote to them. Ho dato loro il libro. — I gave them the book. Parlerò loro domani. — I will speak to them tomorrow.
All other indirect object pronouns in Italian precede the verb (mi, ti, gli, le, ci, vi). Loro is the exception. In modern colloquial Italian, gli is frequently substituted for loro as indirect object, and precedes the verb:
Formal: Ho scritto loro. — I wrote to them. Colloquial: Gli ho scritto. — I wrote to them.
Both forms are correct; the latter is more natural in conversation.
4. Loro as object pronoun (them)
As a direct object pronoun, loro follows prepositions:
Penso a loro. — I think about them. Dipende da loro. — It depends on them. Senza di loro. — Without them. (note: di is inserted before loro after senza, dopo, prima di, con, etc.) Vengo con loro. — I am coming with them.
For direct object without a preposition, Italian uses li (masculine) or le (feminine) rather than loro:
Li vedo. — I see them. (masculine/mixed group) Le vedo. — I see them. (feminine group)
5. Loro as possessive adjective (their)
As a possessive, loro is fully invariable — it never changes:
il loro libro — their book (masc. sing.) la loro casa — their house (fem. sing.) i loro libri — their books (masc. pl.) le loro case — their houses (fem. pl.)
This is the only Italian possessive adjective that does not agree in gender and number with the noun. All others (mio/mia/miei/mie, tuo/tua/tuoi/tue, etc.) change form. The invariability of loro is therefore a reliable diagnostic when reading.
Note: Like all Italian possessives, loro normally takes the definite article: il loro amico, la loro città. The article is dropped only for singular, unmodified family members: loro padre (their father), loro madre (their mother) — though in practice, many Italians now use the article even here.
6. Loro — formal polite “you” (declining use)
In traditional formal Italian, Loro (capitalised) was the polite second person plural pronoun, used by staff in luxury hotels, formal correspondence, and professional service contexts to address clients or guests:
Desiderano i signori ordinare? (Do you [Loro] wish to order, gentlemen?) Hanno prenotato? (Have you [Loro] made a reservation?)
This usage is now largely confined to very formal or traditional environments. Modern Italian business communication has largely shifted to Lei (singular) or voi (plural) even in formal contexts. However, encountering it in older correspondence or high-end establishments is not uncommon.
7. Complete pronoun paradigm for third person plural
Subject: loro (spoken) / essi/esse (written/formal) Direct object (before verb): li (masc.) / le (fem.) Indirect object (after verb): loro (formal) / gli (colloquial, before verb) After preposition: loro (always, with di inserted after senza, dopo, prima di, etc.) Possessive adjective: loro (invariable, with article) Reflexive: si (themselves — same as all third persons)
Common mistakes for English speakers:
Mistake: Always including loro as subject pronoun, as English requires “they.” Correction: Omit loro as subject unless emphasising or contrasting. Mangiano is “they eat” — natural Italian. Loro mangiano sounds emphatic.
Mistake: Placing loro (indirect object) before the verb. Correction: Loro as indirect object follows the verb: Ho detto loro (not Loro ho detto). In colloquial Italian, substitute gli before the verb: Gli ho detto.
Mistake: Making loro agree as a possessive: *la lora casa. Correction: Loro as possessive is always loro, never lora, lori, lore. La loro casa, il loro giardino, le loro amiche — the word never changes.
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The rhetoric of loro in Italian social life
The presence or absence of the subject pronoun loro in Italian carries social meaning beyond grammar. When an Italian uses loro explicitly in conversation, it throws the spotlight on the third party with an emphasis that can signal admiration, irritation, envy, or indignation, depending on context. Loro possono farlo, noi no (”They can do it, we cannot”) carries a resonance of contrast and perhaps resentment that the pronoun-less possono farlo, noi no does not quite achieve. Learners who develop a feel for this rhetorical weight will sound far more authentically Italian.
The noi vs loro social axis
Italian social thought — and Italian conversation — habitually organises the world on a noi/loro axis (”us/them”). This is particularly visible in discussions of politics, sport, family loyalty, and local identity. A Roman speaking about Milanese, a Juventus supporter speaking about Internazionale fans, a neighbourhood shopkeeper speaking about a supermarket chain — all will reach instinctively for noi and loro as markers of in-group and out-group. Understanding this axis is understanding something fundamental about Italian social psychology.
Regional variation and the loro possessive
In many central and southern Italian dialects, the loro possessive is replaced by suo/sua/suoi/sue (literally “his/her”) used for “their” — a feature of substandard Italian that was historically common but is stigmatised in standard usage. Educated Italian consistently uses loro for third person plural possession.
The declining formal Loro
The retreat of formal Loro from Italian professional life over the past fifty years tracks a broader democratisation of Italian social registers. Post-war Italy progressively replaced the aristocratic and Fascist-era formal Voi (imposed by Mussolini) with Lei, and the even more distancing Loro has retreated to a handful of traditional contexts. The learner who encounters Desiderano? (literally “Do they desire?” — used as “Do you wish?”) in a grand hotel has entered a surviving enclave of an older Italy.
Idiomatic expressions with loro: Pensiero a loro. — I am thinking of them. (often used in sympathy: “They are in my thoughts.”) È colpa loro. — It is their fault. (popular speech; standard Italian prefers È colpa di loro or È colpa sua) A loro modo. — In their own way. (modo = manner; the phrase implies idiosyncratic but authentic behaviour) Fare il loro gioco. — To play into their hands. (literally “to play their game”) Vivono nel loro mondo. — They live in their own world. (of people oblivious to reality)
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Source: Alessandro Manzoni, I Promessi Sposi (The Betrothed), Chapter I (1840 revised edition)
Context: I Promessi Sposi is the foundational novel of modern Italian literature and the single text most responsible for establishing a unified standard Italian language. Set in seventeenth-century Lombardy under Spanish rule, it opens with a famous landscape description before introducing its characters. The passage below comes from the novel’s first chapter, where Manzoni describes the local bravi — hired thugs in the service of the petty nobleman Don Rodrigo. The pronouns essi and loro appear in their contrasting literary and social registers.
F-A: Interlinear Construed Text
Essi (/ˈɛssi/) they-LITER.MASC.PL portavano (/porˈtaːvano/) wore-IMPF ordinariamente (/ordinarjaˈmɛnte/) ordinarily una (/ˈuːna/) a gran (/ɡran/) great ciocca (/ˈtʃɔkka/) lock di (/di/) of capelli (/kaˈpɛlli/) hair-PL che (/ke/) which ricadeva (/rikaˈdɛːva/) fell-IMPF e (/e/) and spesso (/ˈspɛsso/) often s’ (/s/) itself ascondeva (/askonˈdɛːva/) hid-IMPF sotto (/ˈsotto/) under la (/la/) the falda (/ˈfalda/) brim del (/del/) of-the cappello (/kapˈpɛllo/) hat ;
una (/ˈuːna/) a lunga (/ˈluŋɡa/) long chioma (/ˈkjɔːma/) mane/hair sul (/sul/) on-the mento (/ˈmɛnto/) chin ; certi (/ˈtʃɛrti/) certain arnesi (/arˈneːzi/) implements di (/di/) of ferro (/ˈfɛrro/) iron che (/ke/) which facevano (/fatʃeˈvano/) made-IMPF capolino (/kapoˈliːno/) peep-out dalle (/dalle/) from-the tasche (/ˈtaʃʃe/) pockets gonfie (/ˈɡonfje/) bulging-FEM.PL ;
e (/e/) and talvolta (/talˈvolta/) sometimes un (/un/) a gran (/ɡran/) large coltellaccio (/koltɛlˈlattʃo/) big-knife nel (/nel/) in-the cinturone (/tʃintuˈroːne/) belt , a (/a/) for bell’ (/bell/) fine mostra (/ˈmɔstra/) display .
F-B: Authentic Text with Idiomatic English Translation
Essi portavano ordinariamente una gran ciocca di capelli che ricadeva e spesso s’ascondeva sotto la falda del cappello; una lunga chioma sul mento; certi arnesi di ferro che facevano capolino dalle tasche gonfie; e talvolta un gran coltellaccio nel cinturone, a bell’mostra.
“They ordinarily wore a great lock of hair that fell down and was often hidden under the brim of their hat; a long mane on the chin; certain iron implements that peeped out of their bulging pockets; and sometimes a large knife in their belt, for all the world to see.”
(Alessandro Manzoni, I Promessi Sposi, Cap. I; tr. adapted)
F-C: Authentic Text Only
Essi portavano ordinariamente una gran ciocca di capelli che ricadeva e spesso s’ascondeva sotto la falda del cappello; una lunga chioma sul mento; certi arnesi di ferro che facevano capolino dalle tasche gonfie; e talvolta un gran coltellaccio nel cinturone, a bell’mostra.
F-D: Grammar and Vocabulary Notes on the Citation
Essi — Manzoni uses essi (not loro) throughout the novel’s descriptive passages. This is the literary subject pronoun, appropriate to formal narrative prose and still encountered in all serious written Italian today.
portavano — imperfect tense of portare (to carry/wear): “they were wearing / they used to wear.” The imperfect (imperfetto) describes habitual or ongoing past states and actions. It is formed with the stem + -avo/-avi/-ava/-avamo/-avate/-avano (for -are verbs). Portavano = they habitually wore.
s’ascondeva — reflexive imperfect of ascondersi (to hide oneself): “used to hide itself.” The s’ is an elision of si (reflexive) before the vowel a. This reflexive use gives the hair a kind of autonomous, furtive movement — a very Manzonian touch.
facevano capolino — idiomatic phrase: literally “they made a little head” → “they peeked out.” Capolino from capo (head) + -lino (diminutive suffix). This phrase is still used in modern Italian: fa capolino il sole — “the sun peeks through.”
a bell’mostra — literally “at fine display” → “for all to see / conspicuously.” Bella mostra is an idiom; the elision bell’ is before the vowel m (actually incorrect in strict modern spelling, but period usage). The phrase signals studied, menacing display.
certi — indefinite plural adjective: “certain/some.” In Italian, certo/certi before a noun means “certain (unspecified)”; after a noun or with essere, it means “sure/certain.”
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A short narrative about an Italian family seen from the outside, using loro in all its functions: subject (emphatic and pro-dropped), indirect object, direct-object preposition, and possessive. The narrator is a neighbour observing the Ferrettis with a mixture of admiration and gentle envy.
Part A: Interlinear Construed Text
24.16 I (/i/) the Ferretti (/ferˈrɛtti/) Ferrettis abitano (/aˈbiːtano/) live-3PL di (/di/) next fronte (/ˈfronte/) opposite da (/da/) from anni (/ˈanni/) years . Loro (/ˈloːro/) they sono (/ˈsoːno/) are una (/ˈuːna/) a famiglia (/faˈmiʎʎa/) family come (/ˈkoːme/) like poche (/ˈpɔːke/) few-FEM.PL .
The Ferrettis have lived across the road for years. They are a family like few others.
24.17 La (/la/) the loro (/ˈloːro/) their mattina (/matˈtiːna/) morning comincia (/koˈmintʃa/) begins sempre (/ˈsɛmpre/) always nello (/ˈnɛllo/) in-the stesso (/ˈstɛsso/) same modo (/ˈmoːdo/) way .
Their morning always begins in the same way.
24.18 Alle (/ˈalle/) at-the sette (/ˈsɛtte/) seven , escono (/ˈɛʃʃono/) they-go-out tutti (/ˈtutti/) all insieme (/inˈsjɛːme/) together : i (/i/) the genitori (/dʒeniˈtoːri/) parents , i (/i/) the tre (/tre/) three figli (/ˈfiʎʎi/) children e (/e/) and persino (/perˈsiːno/) even il (/il/) the loro (/ˈloːro/) their vecchio (/ˈvɛkkjo/) old cane (/ˈkaːne/) dog .
At seven, they all go out together: the parents, the three children, and even their old dog.
24.19 I (/i/) the vicini (/viˈtʃiːni/) neighbours li (/li/) them salutano (/saluˈtaːno/) greet-3PL sempre (/ˈsɛmpre/) always con (/kon/) with piacere (/pjaˈtʃɛːre/) pleasure , perché (/perˈke/) because loro (/ˈloːro/) they ricordano (/riˈkordano/) remember-3PL sempre (/ˈsɛmpre/) always i (/i/) the nomi (/ˈnoːmi/) names di (/di/) of tutti (/ˈtutti/) everyone .
The neighbours always greet them gladly, because they always remember everyone’s name.
24.20 Ho (/ɔ/) I-have portato (/porˈtaːto/) brought-PAST loro (/ˈloːro/) them-DAT delle (/ˈdɛlle/) some arance (/aˈrantʃe/) oranges dal (/dal/) from-the mercato (/merˈkaːto/) market una (/ˈuːna/) one volta (/ˈvɔlta/) time , e (/e/) and loro (/ˈloːro/) they hanno (/ˈanno/) have insistito (/insiˈstiːto/) insisted-PAST per (/per/) to invitarmi (/invitˈarmi/) invite-me-INF a (/a/) to cena (/ˈtʃɛːna/) dinner .
I once brought them some oranges from the market, and they insisted on inviting me to dinner.
24.21 La (/la/) the loro (/ˈloːro/) their tavola (/ˈtaːvola/) table era (/ˈɛːra/) was piena (/ˈpjɛːna/) full di (/di/) of cibo (/ˈtʃiːbo/) food : pane (/ˈpaːne/) bread , salumi (/saˈluːmi/) cured-meats , formaggi (/forˈmaddʒi/) cheeses , vino (/ˈviːno/) wine rosso (/ˈrɔsso/) red .
Their table was laden with food: bread, cured meats, cheeses, red wine.
24.22 Ho (/ɔ/) I-have chiesto (/ˈkjɛsto/) asked-PAST loro (/ˈloːro/) them-DAT come (/ˈkoːme/) how facevano (/fatʃeˈvano/) they-managed-IMPF a (/a/) to restare (/resˈtaːre/) remain così (/koˈsi/) so uniti (/uˈniːti/) united-PL , dopo (/ˈdopo/) after tanti (/ˈtanti/) so-many anni (/ˈanni/) years .
I asked them how they managed to stay so close after so many years.
24.23 Loro (/ˈloːro/) they si (/si/) each-other sono (/ˈsoːno/) have guardati (/ɡwarˈdaːti/) looked-at-PAST , e (/e/) and poi (/pɔi/) then hanno (/ˈanno/) have riso (/ˈriːzo/) laughed-PAST .
They looked at each other, and then they laughed.
24.24 « Non (/non/) not lo (/lo/) it sappiamo (/sapˈpjaːmo/) we-know nemmeno (/nemˈmɛːno/) even noi (/nɔi/) we ,» ha (/a/) has detto (/ˈdɛtto/) said-PAST la (/la/) the signora (/siɲˈɲoːra/) lady/Mrs Ferretti (/ferˈrɛtti/) Ferretti . « Succede (/sutˈtʃɛːde/) it-happens , e (/e/) and basta (/ˈbasta/) enough/that-is-all .»
“We don’t even know ourselves,” said Signora Ferretti. “It just happens, and that’s that.”
24.25 Non (/non/) not dimentico (/diˈmɛntiko/) I-forget quella (/ˈkwɛlla/) that sera (/ˈseːra/) evening . Penso (/ˈpɛnso/) I-think spesso (/ˈspɛsso/) often a (/a/) of loro (/ˈloːro/) them .
I do not forget that evening. I often think of them.
24.26 Il (/il/) the loro (/ˈloːro/) their segreto (/seˈɡrɛːto/) secret , se (/se/) if mai (/mai/) ever ne (/ne/) one hanno (/ˈanno/) have uno (/ˈuːno/) one , è (/ɛ/) is la (/la/) the semplicità (/semplotʃiˈta/) simplicity .
Their secret, if they have one at all, is simplicity.
24.27 Escono (/ˈɛʃʃono/) they-go-out la (/la/) the domenica (/doˈmɛːnika/) Sunday mattina (/matˈtiːna/) morning a (/a/) to comprare (/komˈpraːre/) buy il (/il/) the giornale (/dʒorˈnaːle/) newspaper e (/e/) and le (/le/) the paste (/ˈpaste/) pastries dalla (/ˈdalla/) from-the pasticceria (/pastittʃeˈriːa/) pastry-shop .
On Sunday mornings they go out to buy the newspaper and pastries from the bakery.
24.28 Talvolta (/talˈvolta/) sometimes li (/li/) them vedo (/ˈvɛːdo/) I-see in (/in/) in giardino (/dʒarˈdiːno/) garden , seduti (/seˈduːti/) seated-PL in (/in/) in silenzio (/siˈlɛntso/) silence , ognuno (/oɲˈɲuːno/) each-one con (/kon/) with il (/il/) the proprio (/ˈproːprjo/) own libro (/ˈliːbro/) book .
Sometimes I see them in the garden, seated in silence, each with their own book.
24.29 Non (/non/) not ho (/ɔ/) I-have mai (/mai/) ever sentito (/senˈtiːto/) heard-PAST litigare (/litiˈɡaːre/) argue-INF . Forse (/ˈforse/) perhaps litigano (/liˈtiːɡano/) they-argue , ma (/ma/) but non (/non/) not abbastanza (/abbaˈstantsa/) enough forte (/ˈfɔrte/) loud da (/da/) for disturbare (/disturˈbaːre/) disturb-INF i (/i/) the vicini (/viˈtʃiːni/) neighbours .
I have never heard them argue. Perhaps they do argue, but not loudly enough to disturb the neighbours.
24.30 Quando (/ˈkwando/) when penso (/ˈpɛnso/) I-think a (/a/) of quello (/ˈkwɛllo/) that che (/ke/) which voglio (/ˈvɔʎʎo/) I-want dalla (/ˈdalla/) from-the vita (/ˈviːta/) life , penso (/ˈpɛnso/) I-think a (/a/) of loro (/ˈloːro/) them .
When I think of what I want from life, I think of them.
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Part B: Natural Narrative with Idiomatic Translation
I Ferretti abitano di fronte da anni. Loro sono una famiglia come poche.
La loro mattina comincia sempre nello stesso modo.
Alle sette, escono tutti insieme: i genitori, i tre figli, e persino il loro vecchio cane.
I vicini li salutano sempre con piacere, perché loro ricordano sempre i nomi di tutti.
Ho portato loro delle arance dal mercato una volta, e loro hanno insistito per invitarmi a cena.
La loro tavola era piena di cibo: pane, salumi, formaggi, vino rosso.
Ho chiesto loro come facevano a restare così uniti, dopo tanti anni.
Loro si sono guardati, e poi hanno riso.
«Non lo sappiamo nemmeno noi,» ha detto la signora Ferretti. «Succede, e basta.»
Non dimentico quella sera. Penso spesso a loro.
Il loro segreto, se mai ne hanno uno, è la semplicità.
Escono la domenica mattina a comprare il giornale e le paste dalla pasticceria.
Talvolta li vedo in giardino, seduti in silenzio, ognuno con il proprio libro.
Non ho mai sentito litigare. Forse litigano, ma non abbastanza forte da disturbare i vicini.
Quando penso a quello che voglio dalla vita, penso a loro.
“The Ferrettis have lived across the road for years. They are a family like few others.
Their morning always begins in the same way.
At seven, they all go out together: the parents, the three children, and even their old dog.
The neighbours always greet them gladly, because they always remember everyone’s name.
I once brought them some oranges from the market, and they insisted on inviting me to dinner.
Their table was laden with food: bread, cured meats, cheeses, red wine.
I asked them how they managed to stay so close after so many years.
They looked at each other, and then they laughed.
‘We don’t even know ourselves,’ said Signora Ferretti. ‘It just happens, and that’s that.’
I do not forget that evening. I often think of them.
Their secret, if they have one at all, is simplicity.
On Sunday mornings they go out to buy the newspaper and pastries from the bakery.
Sometimes I see them in the garden, seated in silence, each with their own book.
I have never heard them argue. Perhaps they do, but not loudly enough to disturb the neighbours.
When I think of what I want from life, I think of them.”
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Part C: Narrative in Italian Only
I Ferretti abitano di fronte da anni. Loro sono una famiglia come poche.
La loro mattina comincia sempre nello stesso modo.
Alle sette, escono tutti insieme: i genitori, i tre figli, e persino il loro vecchio cane.
I vicini li salutano sempre con piacere, perché loro ricordano sempre i nomi di tutti.
Ho portato loro delle arance dal mercato una volta, e loro hanno insistito per invitarmi a cena.
La loro tavola era piena di cibo: pane, salumi, formaggi, vino rosso.
Ho chiesto loro come facevano a restare così uniti, dopo tanti anni.
Loro si sono guardati, e poi hanno riso.
«Non lo sappiamo nemmeno noi,» ha detto la signora Ferretti. «Succede, e basta.»
Non dimentico quella sera. Penso spesso a loro.
Il loro segreto, se mai ne hanno uno, è la semplicità.
Escono la domenica mattina a comprare il giornale e le paste dalla pasticceria.
Talvolta li vedo in giardino, seduti in silenzio, ognuno con il proprio libro.
Non ho mai sentito litigare. Forse litigano, ma non abbastanza forte da disturbare i vicini.
Quando penso a quello che voglio dalla vita, penso a loro.
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Part D: Grammar Notes for the Genre Section
Pro-drop alternation in the narrative: The story deliberately alternates between loro (explicit) and pro-drop (omitted pronoun) to illustrate both usages in natural context. Escono tutti insieme (no pronoun — normal narrative) vs. Loro si sono guardati (explicit loro — marking a dramatic beat, slowing the narrative down to focus on the couple’s silent communication).
Direct object pronouns li and le: I vicini li salutano — “the neighbours greet them.” Li is the 3rd person masculine (or mixed) plural direct object pronoun. It precedes the conjugated verb. Contrast with loro as indirect object: Ho portato loro delle arance — “I brought them some oranges” (indirect, so loro follows the verb).
Reciprocal reflexive si sono guardati: Loro si sono guardati — “they looked at each other.” The reflexive si with a plural subject and a past tense verb (essere auxiliary for reflexives) creates a reciprocal action. Guardarsi = to look at each other. The past participle guardati agrees in gender and number with the subject when essere is used.
Ne ho uno: Se mai ne hanno uno — “if they have one at all.” Ne is the partitive pronoun, replacing di + noun phrase. Here it refers back to segreto (secret): “if they have one (of those).” Ne is one of the most distinctively Italian grammatical features and has no direct English equivalent; it must be learnt as a pattern.
Succede, e basta: E basta — “and that’s it / and nothing more.” Bastare = to be enough. Basta (3rd person singular present) used alone means “enough!” or “that’s all.” The phrase e basta appended to a statement signals that no further explanation is forthcoming or needed — a very Italian verbal gesture of pragmatic acceptance.
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Full IPA for key vocabulary in this lesson:
loro /ˈloːro/ — stress on first syllable; both o vowels are close-mid /oː/ essi /ˈɛssi/ — open /ɛ/; double s held; stress on first syllable esse /ˈɛsse/ — as above but final e close /e/ li /li/ — short, unstressed in normal speech when proclitic; /li/ in isolation gli /ʎʎi/ — palatal lateral /ʎ/; no equivalent in standard English; like “lli” in “million” escono /ˈɛʃʃono/ — sc before o = /ʃʃ/ (as in English “she”); stress on E famiglia /faˈmiʎʎa/ — /ʎʎ/ for gli; stress on mi pasticicceria /pastittʃeˈriːa/ — five syllables; /tʃ/ for c before e; stress on ri silenzio /siˈlɛntso/ — /ts/ for z; stress on len semplicità /semplotʃiˈta/ — /tʃ/ for c before i; final syllable stressed (accent)
The imperfect tense endings (-ano 3rd person plural): portavano /porˈtaːvano/ — stress on ta; four syllables facevano /fatʃeˈvano/ — /tʃ/ for c; stress on va ascoltavano /askoltaˈvano/ — stress on va; five syllables
Learners often stress Italian words as they would English cognates. The Italian rule is consistent: stress falls on the penultimate syllable unless a written accent indicates otherwise. Long words like ascoltavano and innamoravano follow this rule reliably.
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This lesson is part of the Italian: A Latinum Institute Modern Language Course series, published on Substack at https://latinum.substack.com/p/index
The Latinum Institute has been creating language learning materials since 2006, developing the Duplex Method — an approach that combines interlinear construed text (word-by-word glossing) with authentic literary and cultural content to give learners direct access to the target language from the very first lesson. The method is designed for the serious autodidact who wishes to read, understand, and use Italian without artificial simplification.
The interlinear format provides every word with its IPA pronunciation and English gloss, allowing the learner to process authentic Italian immediately, without waiting to build a vocabulary base through rote learning. Every lesson is self-contained and uses the full range of natural Italian vocabulary, contextualised by the interlinear scaffold.
This course follows the frequency-ranked Duplex vocabulary system: each lesson is anchored to one high-frequency English word and its Italian equivalents, but the sentences and narratives use whatever vocabulary serves authentic, engaging communication. Grammar is encountered in context and explained as it arises.
For learner reviews of Latinum Institute materials, visit https://uk.trustpilot.com/review/latinum.org.uk
Buono studio.
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✓ Lesson 24 Italian complete — loro (they)
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