Italian grammar · Elementary (A2)
Ci and ne
Two small but very common Italian words: ci, which often means “there”, and ne, which means “of it” or “of them”.
Ci: there
replaces a place that has already been mentioned, usually after , or : (Are you going to Rome? – Yes, I'm going there tomorrow). English often says nothing at all here, but Italian needs .
In the passato prossimo it goes before : (I've been there), (I've never been there, said by a woman).
- Vieni al concerto? – Sì, ci vengo.Are you coming to the concert? – Yes, I'm coming.
- In ufficio ci vado in bicicletta.I go to the office by bike.
- Sei mai stato a Napoli? – Sì, ci sono stato l'anno scorso.Have you ever been to Naples? – Yes, I was there last year.
Other meanings of ci
You already know in and (there is, there are), and as “us” or “each other”: (Can you see us?), (See you tomorrow). The meaning is usually clear from the sentence.
/ means “it takes” (time or things): (It takes an hour), (You need two eggs).
Ne: of it, of them
replaces a noun after a number or a quantity word: (I'd like a kilo). English leaves “of them” out, but Italian can't: → .
With , means “any” or “none”: (No, I haven't got any). It also appears in fixed phrases where it means “about it” or “of it”: (What do you think about it?), (It's worth it).
- Quanti biglietti compri? – Ne compro tre.How many tickets are you buying? – I'm buying three.
- Caffè? Ne bevo due al giorno.Coffee? I drink two a day.
- Quanti anni ha tuo figlio? – Ne ha sei.How old is your son? – He's six.
Where they go
Like object pronouns, and go before the verb, and after . They join the end of an infinitive, of and of a imperative: (I have to go there), (Here are two), (Take one).