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←A2 - Tappa 8 · Everyday choices

The particle ci

Use ci to refer back to a place you have already named.

Ci means there

Use ci when a place is already clear and you do not want to repeat it. It can replace a place phrase such as «al mercato», «in farmacia», or «a Roma». Put ci before a conjugated verb: «Vai al mercato? Sì, ci vado.» The place changes, but ci stays the same.

Do not confuse this use with «c’è» and «ci sono», which tell you that something exists in a place. In «Ci vado», ci tells you where the person goes.

  • Vai al mercato? Sì, ci vado.· Are you going to the market? Yes, I am going there.
  • Torni in farmacia? Sì, ci torno.· Are you going back to the pharmacy? Yes, I am going back there.
  • Abiti a Roma? Sì, ci abito.· Do you live in Rome? Yes, I live there.
  • C’è una farmacia qui. / Ci vado adesso.· There is a pharmacy here. / I am going there now.

Ci with verbs and infinitives

Ci normally goes before a finite verb. With a modal verb plus an infinitive, you can put it before the modal or attach it to the infinitive: «Ci posso andare» or «Posso andarci». Do not put ci between the modal and the infinitive.

Compare ci with ne. «Ci vado» refers to a place. «Ne compro due» refers to a quantity of something. Look at the verb and the question before you choose the particle.

  • Vuoi andare in centro? Sì, ci voglio andare.· Do you want to go to the centre? Yes, I want to go there.
  • Posso andarci domani.· I can go there tomorrow.
  • La biblioteca è vicina. Ci studio spesso.· The library is nearby. I often study there.
  • Vai al negozio? Ci vado. / Quante mele compri? Ne compro due.· Are you going to the shop? I am going there. / How many apples are you buying? I am buying two.

In context

The words of this lesson in sentences from other A2 lessons.