Si impersonale Flashcards
Si impersonale
Unspecified subjects and are used to refer to people in general such as “one”, “people”, “you”. “they”
Examples
People often go to the shore in the summer.
Without a pool, one doesn’t swim much.
How to form the si impersonale
Use the pronoun “si” with the third person singular present tense form of the verb to express an impersonal meaning.
How used?
To request information, or give information, instructions or directions.
How to use with reflexive verbs
Use “ci si”, like Ci si divertiva in quel locale notturno.
Si passivante
When the verb used in an impersonal si construction has an expressed subject, it is called si passivante and is the passive voice.
Examples of si passivante
Le riviste si comprano al chiosco.
With si passivante the the subject comes after the the si passivante construction and then you use?
Either the third person singular or third person plural depending if the expressed subject is singular or plural.
Examples
Là si vendono delle belle scarpe.
A Firenze si vedono molti turisti.
In Italia, si mangia molta pasta. (Gli italiano mangiano molta pasta.)
In America, si mangiano molti hamburger. (Gli americani mangiano molti hamburger.)
In Italia, si guida a 18 anni. (Gli italiani guidano a 18 anni.)
In America si guida a 16 anni. (Gli americani guidano a 16 anni.)
In Italy si constructions are often seen on signs, posted notices, advertisements
Vendesi or Affittasi
Some more examples, Dove si fa?
Si leggono i libri------Si legge alla biblioteca Si compra il gelato Si prendono i soldi Si comprano le medicine Si prega Si fanno le operazioni chirurgiche Si gioca o passeggia Si impara a scrivere e leggere
Special note #1
la famiglia is singular
Present tense endings for “are” verbs
o iamo
I ate
a ano
Present tense endings for “ere” verbs
o iamo
i ete
e ono
Present tense endings of “ire” verbs
o. iamo
I ite
e ono
