In Tu and Lei – Part 1 we looked at the changes that take place when we address people using either the informal tu or the formal Lei. Today we’ll look at the differences between tu and Lei when we give polite orders such as ‘take the next road on the left’ or ‘take a seat’. Have a look at the following examples in which the informal is highlighted in red and the formal in blue:
Prendi la prossima strada a sinistra = Take the next road on the left
Prenda la prossima strada a sinistra = Take the next road on the left
Siediti = Take a seat
Si sieda = Take a seat
As you can see from the above examples, two main grammatical changes take place: 1. the verb, in this case prendere (to take), changes from the informal imperative mode prendi (second person singular) to the formal subjunctive mode prenda (third person singular), and 2. the personal pronoun, ti (to you) in the informal form changes to si (to you) in the formal form. Notice that the personal pronoun goes at the end of the imperative verb in the informal siediti, but before the subjunctive verb in the formal si sieda.
Finally, when we tell somebody not to do something in the informal form we use ‘non’ followed by the infinitive (in the example below ‘preoccupare’). The formal form, however, follows the same rule as when we tell someone to do something, e.g.:
Non ti preoccupare = don’t worry
Non si preoccupi = don’t worry
Now let’s look at some common requests and orders which illustrate the difference between using the tu and using the lei:
| Informal |
Formal |
Translation |
| Scusa |
Scusi |
Excuse me |
| Entra |
Entri |
Come in |
| Accomodati |
Si accomodi |
Make yourself comfortable |
| Serviti |
Si serva |
Help yourself |
| Vattene! |
Se ne vada! |
Go away! |
| Aspetta un attimo |
Aspetti un attimo |
Wait a moment |
| Fai come se fossi a casa tua |
Faccia come se fosse a casa sua |
Make yourself at home |
| Vieni alle sei |
Venga alle sei |
Come at six o’clock |
| Non mi aspettare |
Non mi aspetti |
Don’t wait for me |
| Vai sempre diritto |
Vada sempre diritto |
Keep going straight on |
| Gira a destra |
Giri a destra |
Turn right |
| Attraversa la piazza |
Attraversi la piazza |
Cross the square |
| Salutami tua moglie |
Mi saluti sua moglie |
Give my regards to your wife |
| Scendi alla stazione di Roma Trastevere |
Scenda alla stazione di Roma Trastevere |
Get off at Roma Trastevere station |
| Ascoltami |
Mi ascolti |
Listen to me |
Comments:
Augustine Madanu:
You have given a very good explanation. It is very useful for any one who wants to learn Italian Language. Thanks a lot to you.
Margaret:
Excellent clarification. Molte grazie.
Aqila:
grazie 😉 this is very simple!
Jacqueline:
Yes, this is very clear and useful. Grazie mille!
Augustine Madanu:
Your explanation is very useful for those who want to learn Italian, especailly English speakers. Thank you very much.
Serena:
@Augustine Madanu Grazie Augustine, non c’è di che!
A presto, Serena
Josephine Fucile:
Dear Serena,
Thank you for your blogs especially the grammar ones.
I always read your blogs and as I am trying to learn Italian I find your lessons very helpful.
About this “TU & Lei” I don’t understand when in the informal part we have to use the si,le,la or lei, perhaps one day you would be able to write something about it. It would be much appreciated.
Keep your blogs going they are very usefull and informative.
Thank you and regards.
Jo Fucile.
Serena:
@Josephine Fucile Salve Jo!
Certamente scriverò un articolo sui pronomi personali formali.
A presto!
Serena
jack:
Hi, thank for your explaination. wonderful.
Wendy Chuck:
How do you ask someone in Italian, may I call you “tu”. In French the verb is tutoyer. Is there a similar verb in Italian?
Serena:
@Wendy Chuck Salve Wendy!
The most common expression is: darsi del ‘tu’. So you would ask: Possiamo darci del tu? or: Posso darti del tu?
Saluti da Serena