We use the term verbo
pronominale (pronominal verb) to describe long verbs like prendersela, in which pronoun particles are added on to the
original verb (prendere in this case). But let’s take a closer look
at what verbi pronominali (pronominal verbs) are all about.
Pronominale (pronominal) means “relating to or playing the part of
a pronoun.” In Italian, un verbo pronominale (a pronominal
verb) is one that has a special meaning when used together with one or two
particular pronominal particelle (particles).
Grammatically speaking, a particle
is simply a small word of functional or relational use, such as an article,
preposition, or conjunction.
So we have a normal verb, which,
when used together with certain particles, has a distinct meaning that is
often, but not necessarily, related to the meaning of the original verb.
Technically, reflexive verbs can
also be considered pronominal verbs because in effect, the verb is used
together with a particle like the si (oneself) in alzarsi (to
get up). But these verbs are a special case and not usually called
“pronominal,” since they are already called “reflexive.” Learn more about
reflexive verbs here.
Verbs can combine with one or two
particles. The particles used to make up a pronominal verb are:
la (it)
le (them)
ne (of it, of them, from it, from them)
ci (of it, about it)
le (them)
ne (of it, of them, from it, from them)
ci (of it, about it)
ci and ne are
indirect object pronouns and therefore include a preposition and an object in
the one particle.
As mentioned in a previous lesson, a pronominal
verb in its infinitive form has all the particles attached to it, but when used
in a sentence, the pieces may be partially or totally detached, and hence a bit
more difficult to locate.
1) Pronominal verbs may be made up
of one verb plus one pronoun particle:
smetterla (to quit doing something):
smettere (to
quit) + la (it)
darle (to give them, to give a spanking [idiom]):
dare (to
give) + le (them)
farne (to
do something with something):
fare (to do, to make)
+ ne (of it, of them)
capirci (to understand [about] something):
capire (to understand)
+ ci (of
it)
Lo sai che รจ la prima volta che in un
delitto non ci capisco niente
neanche io?
Do you know it's the first time in a murder that I don't understand anything about it either?
Do you know it's the first time in a murder that I don't understand anything about it either?
2) Pronominal verbs may also be made
up of one verb plus two pronoun particles (which combine with each other).
The particle ci can be combined
with a second pronoun particle, such as -la or -ne, but, as
we have mentioned before,
ci becomes ce when combined with another pronoun
particle. Therefore we have, -cela, -cene; NOT -cila, -cine.
avercela (to
have it in for [somebody])
avere + ci + la
farcela (to make it, to succeed) fare
+ ci + la
Ce la faccio, ce la faccio, ce la faccio.
I can do it, I can do it, I can do it
I can do it, I can do it, I can do it
Since the feminine is so often used
in pronominal verbs, especially in idiomatic expressions, we can think of
la (it)
as standing for
una cosa (something,
that thing),
la vita (life),
la faccenda (the
matter), or
la situazione (the situation).
Exactly why a feminine
pronoun is used in so many expressions with pronominal verbs is not
cut-and-dried, and there is no quick answer. If you’re insatiably curious,
check out this passage from an online book about the question (in Italian).
3) Pronominal verbs may be made up
of one reflexive verb (which uses the particle siin the infinitive)
plus a second pronoun particle like those mentioned above: la, le, ne, or ci.
Prendersela (to
get angry, to get offended, to get upset)
Fregarsene (to not care at all about something [colloquial])
Mettercisi (to put [time] into something)
Fregarsene (to not care at all about something [colloquial])
Mettercisi (to put [time] into something)
In the following example we have the
pronominal verb
accorgersene (to
notice something, to realize something, to become aware of something).
The basic (reflexive) verb is accorgersi (to
notice), but the object pronoun particle ne is added as an indirect
object pronoun.
E te ne accorgi solo quando accade.
And you only become aware of it when it happens.
And you only become aware of it when it happens.
2.Pronominal Verbs
What are Pronominal Verbs and How Do You Use Them in
Italian?
In Italian, a pronominal verb is basically a verb mixed with pronouns.
Pronominal verbs look similar to verbs you already know, making it a little bit easier to take a guess at their meaning.
We’re all familiar with the Italian verb ‘andare,’ meaning ‘to go’.
The pronominal verb that looks similar to andare is andarsene.
You can guess by how it looks that andarsene probably has something to do with going somewhere.
Andarsene means ‘to go away somewhere’.
Pronominal verbs often end in –sene.
The ‘se’ is actually the pronoun ‘si,’ but it changes to ‘se’ because it is preceding another pronoun.
The pronoun it is preceding in this case is ‘ne,’ which is called a pronominal particle. The ‘ne’ often refers to something or somewhere. In the case of andarsene, it relates to somewhere.
Here are some other pronominal verbs that end in –sene:
– pentirsene – to regret something
– fregarsene – to not care (only used colloquially) about something
– guardarsene – to beware, to avoid something
Any time any of the pronouns mi, ti, si, ci or vi come before another pronoun, like the ‘ne’ of andarsene, they change to me, te, se, ce or ve.
This is just one of those rules you have to get used to with Italian.
Besides –sene, pronominal verbs can have other endings too.
They can end in –sela, -sele, -cisi and –ci, just to name a few.
The common thread is that they are all combinations of verbs and pronouns.
Here are a few other pronominal verbs before we get into how to conjugating them.
– volerci – to take (as in time, effort, etc.)
– cavarsela – to manage, to get by
– avercela – be angry or upset by someone
– trovarcisi – to find oneself
– dormirsela – to sleep soundly
Let’s use andarsene as an example.
Do you remember how to conjugate andare?
Io vado
|
Noi
andiamo
|
Tu vai
|
Voi andate
|
Lui/Lei
va
|
Loro vanno
|
(the kind you use with reflexive verbs.)
These are:
Mi
|
Ti
|
Si
|
Ci
|
Vi
|
Si
|
That would make them:
Me
|
Te
|
Se
|
Ce
|
Ve
|
Se
|
Reflexive verb pronoun + Pronominal particle + Conjugated verb = Conjugated Pronominal Verb
Let’s see what that actually looks like in the case of andarsene.
Me ne vado
|
Ce ne andiamo
|
Te ne vai
|
Ve ne andate
|
Se ne va
|
Se ne vanno
|
Esempi:
— ร gia l’una?! Allora me ne vado. – It’s already 1?! Well I’m leaving then.
— Te ne vai? Perchรฉ? – You’re leaving? Why?
Let’s see two more examples with endings other than –sene. First, here’s avercela, which means to be angry.
Ce l’ho
|
Ce l’abbiamo
|
Ce l’hai
|
Ce l’avete
|
Ce l’ha
|
Ce l’hanno
|
— Ce l’ho con lei. – I am angry with her.
— Ce l’ha con me, perchรฉ ho mangiato la sua torta. – She’s mad at me because I ate her cake.
This one’s a little different because instead of a reflexive verb pronoun and pronominal particle, there are two pronouns, ‘ce’ and ‘la.’
However, the format is the same.
The conjugated verb goes last and is preceded by the two pronouns. ‘La’ becomes ‘l’’ because it is preceding verb conjugations that begin with a/h.
This is just a way to make the speech more fluid and beautiful.
With any verb that ends in –cela, the ce and la never change. All you have to remember is how to conjugate the verb that precedes them.
The final example is volerci, meaning to take (as in time or effort.)
This one’s even easier because it’s only conjugated in two ways:
Ci vuole
|
Ci vogliono
|
ci vogliono is used when you are referencing something plural.
This is commonly used in reference to how long it takes to get somewhere.
– Ci vuole un’ora per arrivare a Roma. – It takes an hour to arrive in Rome.
– Ci vogliono tre ore per andare a Firenze. – It takes three hours to go to Florence.
With any pronominal verb, the pronouns go first and the conjugated verb goes last.
Finally, here are a few more examples of Italian pronominal verbs at work.
– Se la dormiva alla grande. – He (or she) was sleeping soundly.
– Riuscirร a cavarsela nel migliore dei modi. – He (or she) will be able to manage it in the best possible way.
– Non capisco come mai Marta continua ad avercela con me. – I don’t understand why Marta is still angry with me.
– Potrebbe pentirsene amaramente. – He (or she) should hardly regret it.
Have any questions? Leave them in the comments section below.
Combinated pronouns
I PRONOMI COMBINATI
In italiano i pronomi combinati si usano quando
nella frase ci sono tutte
e due i complementi oggetto diretto e indiretto.
Esempio :
Marco mostra il telefono (O. D) a Roberto (O. I.). -->
Marco glielo mostra.
Maria paga un gelato (O.D.)
al fratellino (O.I.). --> Maria glielo paga.
 |
Coraggio, adesso un piccolo esercizio,
e dopo avrete capito tutto !
Si devono trovare i pronomi combinati adeguati.
