Teaching guidelines +/- 15 minutes

Learn how to use the verb "piacere" to express likes and dislikes in Italian, with examples like "Mi piace il colore rosso" and "Non mi piacciono i pantaloni marroni." This lesson focuses on distinguishing between singular "piace" and plural "piacciono" forms.
  1. We use “piace” with a singular noun, and “piacciono” with plural nouns.
Espressione (Expression)Verbo (Verb)Esempio (Example)
Positiva (Positive)PiacereMi piace il colore rosso. (I like the colour red.)
Ti piace il tè verde. (You like green tea.)
Mi piacciono i capelli biondi. (I like blonde hair.)
Negativa (Negative)Non piacereNon mi piace il vestito giallo. (I don't like the yellow dress.)
Non ti piace il colore blu. (You don't like the colour blue.)
Non mi piacciono i pantaloni marroni. (I don't like brown trousers.)

Exceptions!

  1. The verb “piacere” changes according to the noun (singular or plural), not the person.

Exercise 1: Uso di “piacere”

Instruction: Fill in the correct word.

Show translation Show answers

piace, piacciono

1.
Non mi ... il colore arancione.
(I don't like the colour orange.)
2.
Ti ... i capelli castani?
(Do you like brown hair?)
3.
A lui non ... i pantaloni verdi.
(He doesn't like the green trousers.)
4.
"Ci ... la sedia rosa in cucina.
(We like the pink chair in the kitchen.)
5.
Ti ... il colore dei miei occhi?
(Do you like the colour of my eyes?)
6.
A loro ... il divano marrone.
(They like the brown sofa.)
7.
A lei ... quel vestito nero.
(She likes that black dress.)
8.
Non mi ... le sedie rosse.
(I don't like the red chairs.)

Exercise 2: Multiple Choice

Instruction: Choose the correct solution

1. Mi ___ il vestito rosso.

(I ___ the red dress.)

2. Ti ___ le scarpe verdi?

(Do you ___ the green shoes?)

3. Non mi ___ il colore blu.

(I don't ___ the blue color.)

4. Mi ___ i pantaloni neri.

(I ___ the black pants.)

5. Ti ___ il cappello marrone?

(Do you ___ the brown hat?)

6. Non ti ___ gli occhiali gialli.

(You don't ___ the yellow glasses.)

Understanding the Use of "Piacere" in Italian

This lesson focuses on the verb "piacere," which is essential for expressing likes and dislikes in Italian. The verb functions differently from English verbs because it agrees with the thing liked rather than the person expressing it.

Key Usage Points

  • Piace is used with singular nouns (es. Mi piace il colore rosso.).
  • Piacciono is used with plural nouns (es. Mi piacciono i capelli biondi.).
  • The verb is conjugated according to the subject (the thing or things that are liked), not the object (the person who likes).
  • Negative forms add "non" before the verb (es. Non mi piace il vestito giallo.).

Examples from the Lesson

  • Mi piace il colore rosso. (I like the color red.)
  • Ti piace il tè verde. (You like green tea.)
  • Mi piacciono i capelli biondi. (I like blond hair.)
  • Non mi piace il vestito giallo. (I don’t like the yellow dress.)
  • Non ti piacciono i pantaloni marroni. (You don’t like the brown pants.)

Understanding the Differences from English

Unlike English, where the subject is the person who likes something, in Italian the subject of "piacere" is the object or activity that causes the feeling of liking, and the indirect object is the person who likes it. For example, "I like the book" translates literally to "The book is pleasing to me," thus Mi piace il libro. This reversal is a key structural difference.

Useful Phrases and Vocabulary

  • Mi piace – I like (something singular)
  • Mi piacciono – I like (something plural)
  • Ti piace – You like (singular)
  • Ti piacciono – You like (plural)
  • Non mi piace – I don’t like (singular)
  • Non ti piacciono – You don’t like (plural)

Mastering piacere helps you naturally express preferences and opinions in Italian, a key part of daily conversation and personal expression.

Written by

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 04:49