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This lesson explains the use of Italian particles "ci" (meaning "here" or "there" referring to a place) and "ce" (indicating possession, as in "ce l'ho" meaning "I have it"). Learn to distinguish and use "ci" and "ce" with examples like "Ci vado domani" and "Ce l'ho" for effective everyday communication.
  1. “Ci” replaces a place and means “qui, lì” (place), as in ci sono / c’è.
  2. “Ce” indicates possession of something.
Particella (Particle)Esempio (Example)
CiDomani vado a casa. (Tomorrow I am going home.)Ci vado domani. (I am going there tomorrow.)
Metto la sedia in cucina. (I put the chair in the kitchen.)Ci metto la sedia. (I put the chair there.)
CeHai il passaporto? (Do you have the passport?)Si, ce l'ho. (Yes, I have it.)
Hai la penna? (Do you have the pen?)Si, ce l'ho. (Yes, I have it.)

Exercise 1: “Ci” vs “ce”

Instruction: Fill in the correct word.

Show translation Show answers

Ci, ci, ce l'ho, non ce l'ho

1.
Hai lo zucchero? No, ....
(Do you have the sugar? No, I don't have it.)
2.
Hai una penna? No, ....
(Do you have a pen? No, I don't have one.)
3.
In cucina ... metto il tavolo nuovo.
(I put the new table in the kitchen.)
4.
Nel salotto ... sono due divani.
(In the living room, there are two sofas.)
5.
Il letto è in camera, ma ... entra a fatica.
(The bed is in the room, but it barely fits in.)
6.
Puoi aprire quella porta? ... metto il tappeto.
(Can you open that door? I'll put the mat there.)
7.
Hai un divano in casa? Si, ....
(Do you have a sofa at home? Yes, I have one.)
8.
Quando vai a casa? ... vado domani.
(When are you going home? I'm going tomorrow.)

Exercise 2: Multiple Choice

Instruction: Choose the correct solution

1. Domani vado in salotto. ___ trovo il divano nuovo.

(Tomorrow I go to the living room. ___ I find the new sofa.)

2. Hai la chiave della porta? Sì, ___ l'ho nella borsa.

(Do you have the door key? Yes, ___ I have it in my bag.)

3. Metto la lampada sul tavolo. ___ sta bene.

(I put the lamp on the table. ___ it fits well there.)

4. Hai la sedia per la cucina? Sì, ___ l'ho.

(Do you have the chair for the kitchen? Yes, ___ I have it.)

5. C’è un tappeto nel soggiorno. ___ cammino sopra ogni giorno.

(There is a rug in the living room. ___ I walk on it every day.)

6. Quante sedie ___ sono in cucina? ___ ne sono quattro.

(How many chairs ___ are in the kitchen? ___ there are four of them.)

Understanding the Italian Particles "Ci" and "Ce"

This lesson focuses on two important Italian particles: "Ci" and "Ce". These short words are commonly used in everyday conversation and can change the meaning of sentences significantly. Mastering their use is essential for beginners at the A1 level who want to sound natural in Italian.

What Does "Ci" Mean?

"Ci" is used to replace a location or place mentioned before. It can be translated as "here" or "there" in English, depending on the context. For example, in sentences like "Domani vado a casa." (Tomorrow I am going home), you can replace the place with "Ci": "Ci vado domani." (I am going there tomorrow). It helps to avoid repetition by referring back to a previously mentioned location.

Examples of "Ci" in Context

  • Domani vado a casa. → Ci vado domani.
  • Metto la sedia in cucina. → Ci metto la sedia.

Understanding "Ce"

"Ce" expresses possession or existence related to an object, often paired with another pronoun, like l’ho (I have it). It translates roughly as "there is" or "I have it" when confirming possession. For example, when answering the question "Hai il passaporto?" (Do you have the passport?), the reply could be "Sì, ce l’ho." (Yes, I have it.)

Examples of "Ce" Usage

  • Hai il passaporto? → Sì, ce l'ho.
  • Hai la penna? → Sì, ce l'ho.

Key Points to Remember

  • "Ci" replaces places and indicates "here/there".
  • "Ce" is used to confirm possession of something.
  • They often appear in combination with other words to create common expressions.

Comparison With English

Unlike English, Italian uses "ci" and "ce" as short pronouns to replace entire phrases related to location or possession. English often repeats the noun or uses different structures, such as "there" or "it" without a particle equivalent. For example, "I’m going there tomorrow" versus "Ci vado domani". This compact style is common in Italian and essential to understand early on.

Useful Phrases to Practice

  • Domani vado a scuola. Ci vado con l’autobus. (Tomorrow I go to school. I go there by bus.)
  • Hai il libro? Sì, ce l’ho. (Do you have the book? Yes, I have it.)

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This content has been designed and reviewed by the coLanguage pedagogical team: About coLanguage

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Fabio Pirioni

Bachelor in Humanities

University of Udine

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Last Updated:

Thursday, 17/07/2025 21:35