Italian relative pronouns link two parts of a sentence, just as English relative pronouns (who, whom, which, that) do. However, there are some important differences in usage and form that English speakers should note.
The Main Italian Relative Pronouns
- Che
- Meaning/Function: “Che” is by far the most common relative pronoun in Italian. It can translate to “who,” “that,” or “which” in English.
- Key Difference from English: In English, relative pronouns can often be omitted (“The book I read was interesting”), but in Italian, you cannot omit “che.” You must say “Il libro che ho letto era interessante.”
- Grammatical Role: “Che” can refer to both people and things and is used as a subject or direct object of the relative clause. For instance:
- Subject: “La ragazza che parla è italiana.” (The girl who is speaking is Italian.)
- Direct Object: “Il film che ho visto era lungo.” (The movie that I watched was long.)
- Cui
- Meaning/Function: “Cui” is used in place of English “whom,” “which,” or “that” when these pronouns follow a preposition.
- Key Difference from English: In English, you’d say “the person to whom I spoke” or “the book in which I wrote notes.” In Italian, you must say “la persona a cui ho parlato” or “il libro in cui ho scritto appunti.” The preposition always comes directly before “cui.”
- Examples:
- “La persona a cui ho scritto è un amico.” (The person to whom I wrote is a friend.)
- “La città in cui vivo è grande.” (The city in which I live is large.)
- Il quale / La quale / I quali / Le quali
- Meaning/Function: These are more formal, variable pronouns that must agree in gender and number with the noun they refer to. They can mean “who,” “which,” or “that.”
- Key Difference from English: English relative pronouns don’t change form based on the noun’s gender or number. In Italian, “il quale” forms do. They are often used in place of “che” or “cui” to be more precise or to avoid ambiguity.
- Examples:
- “Il ragazzo, il quale mi ha chiamato ieri, è mio cugino.” (The boy, who called me yesterday, is my cousin.)
- “La casa alla quale mi riferisco è quella gialla.” (The house to which I’m referring is the yellow one.)
Comparing English and Italian
1. Omission:
- English: Often drops the relative pronoun, e.g., “The book I read was good.”
- Italian: You must include it. “Il libro che ho letto era buono.” You cannot say “Il libro ho letto era buono.”
2. Prepositions:
- English: Relative pronouns often come after prepositions, but you can also restructure the sentence: “The person whom I spoke to” or “The person I spoke to.”
- Italian: Prepositions must remain before “cui.” “La persona a cui ho parlato.” You cannot move the preposition to the end.
3. Gender and Number Agreement:
- English: Relative pronouns (who, which, that) do not change form.
- Italian: With “il quale” forms, you must agree with the antecedent. For example, “il quale” (masculine singular), “la quale” (feminine singular), “i quali” (masculine plural), “le quali” (feminine plural).
Tips for English Speakers
- Start with “che”:
When no preposition is needed, simply use “che” for “who,” “that,” or “which.” It’s the simplest choice. - Use “cui” with Prepositions:
If you’re saying “of which,” “to whom,” “in which,” etc., you’ll need a preposition + “cui.” For example, “in cui” = “in which.” - Introduce “il quale” Later:
Once you’re comfortable with “che” and “cui,” practice using “il quale” forms in more formal or complex sentences, especially where clarity is needed.
By keeping these differences in mind, English speakers can use Italian relative pronouns correctly and naturally.
