Italian grammar · Beginner (A1)
Piacere: how to say you like something
Saying what you like in Italian with mi piace and mi piacciono, and asking others what they like.
Mi piace, mi piacciono
Italian says “I like” in a different way from English. means literally “Coffee is pleasing to me”. The thing you like is the subject of the verb, so the verb matches the thing, not you.
Use for one thing or for an action (a verb in the infinitive). Use for two or more things. Remember the article: , not mi piace gelato.
- Mi piace la musica jazz.I like jazz music.
- Mi piacciono i cani.I like dogs.
- Mi piace cucinare.I like cooking.
- Non mi piacciono gli spinaci.I don't like spinach.
Who likes it?
The small word before shows who likes something. For a name or a noun, use : (Marco likes football). For emphasis or contrast, you can say , and so on: (I like it, he doesn't).
| Short form | Stressed form | English |
|---|---|---|
| I like | ||
| you like (informal) | ||
| he likes | ||
| she likes | ||
| you like (polite) | ||
| we like | ||
| you like (plural) | ||
| they like |
Useful patterns
To agree, say (Me too). To agree with something negative, say (Me neither). In the past, takes and the ending matches the thing you liked: , .
…? (Would you like…?) is a friendly way to invite someone.
- Ti piace Roma? Sì, moltissimo.Do you like Rome? Yes, very much.
- Non mi piace il caffè amaro. Neanche a me.I don't like bitter coffee. Me neither.
- Vi è piaciuta la gita?Did you like the trip? (to several people)
- Ti piacerebbe venire a cena da noi?Would you like to come to dinner at our place?