gli
/ʎi/
gli is the Italian definite article for the English word 'the' when used with masculine plural nouns.
gli is a masculine plural definite article.
Which one should you use?
Use gli instead of i for masculine plural nouns that begin with a vowel or the consonants s + consonant (like sp, st), z, ps, x or gn.
How do you pronounce it?
/ʎi/
Did you know?
- In spoken Italian, gli is frequently used as a pronoun meaning 'to him' or 'to them', which is completely distinct from its use as the article 'the'.
- The pronunciation of gli requires a palatal lateral approximant, a sound made by pressing the middle of the tongue against the hard palate.
- The word gli is a direct descendant of the Latin word 'illī', which meant 'those' or 'that person'.
Examples in context
- Gli amici di Marco sono simpatici.Marco's friends are nice.
- Devo comprare gli occhiali nuovi.I need to buy the new glasses.
- Gli alberi nel giardino sono alti.The trees in the garden are tall.
Example conversation
Sofia and Francesco are talking about their friends.
- SofiaDove sono gli altri?Where are the others?
- FrancescoSono già al ristorante.They are already at the restaurant.
- SofiaGli amici sono sempre in anticipo.The friends are always early.
- FrancescoSì, andiamo subito!Yes, let's go right away!
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry gli, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries gli, CC BY-SA 4.0.
