Lesson: Relative Pronouns in Italian

 

Relative Pronouns link two clauses, a dependent proposition to a previous proposition, taking the place of a name or a thing and establishing a relationship between the two. The relative pronoun, in referring to a person, place or thing, is used to avoid repetitions. We have che and cui.

The relative pronoun che is an invariable pronoun: it doesn’t change according to the subject or object it replaces in the relative clauses. Example:

• La torta che hai cucinato è molto buona. – The cake that you made is very good.
• Guarda la macchina che ho comprato. – Take a look at the car that I have bought.
• Questa è la casa che ha costruito mio padre. – This is the house that my dad built.

The relative pronoun cui is an invariable pronoun and has always a preposition before it. Therefore cui replaces che.

• Teresa è un’amica di cui mi fido. – Teresa is a friend who I trust. (di + che)
• Il bambino con cui stai giocando è mio figlio. – The kid you are playing with is my son. (con + che)
• Londra è la città da cui viene Stephen. – London is the city where Stephen comes from. (da + che)
• È lei la ragazza a cui ho dato i soldi. – She is the girl whom I gave the money. (a + che)

If you want to learn more join our Italian Evening Elementary 2 course!

JOIN NOW

---

If you enjoy video tutorials, check our Youtube Channel.