lui è
The English phrase "he is" is translated into Italian as lui è.
While lui è specifically means "he is", the verb form è alone can mean "he is", "she is" or "it is" depending on the context.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word è is the third-person singular form of the verb essere (to be). In Italian, the subject pronoun lui is often omitted because the verb conjugation è already indicates the third-person singular.
Did you know?
- The grave accent on è is essential because without it, the word e means 'and'.
- While lui is the standard word for 'he', in some regional dialects or older texts you might see egli, which is strictly formal.
- The word lui actually stems from the Late Latin word illui, which was used to point specifically to a person.
Examples in context
- Lui è un DJ.He is a DJ.Tatoeba #1255427 by Guybrush88, translation #288669 by CK
- Lui è a casa.He is at home.Tatoeba #1259989 by Guybrush88, translation #816868 by Cindrogriza
- Lui è Li Ying.He is Li Ying.Tatoeba #380197 by Pharamp, translation #380193 by kellenparker
- Lui è un dottoreHe is a doctor
- È un bravo ragazzoHe is a good boy
- È un insegnanteHe is a teacher
- 788 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Giulia and Francesco are talking about a new coworker.
- GiuliaChi è il nuovo collega?Who is the new colleague?
- FrancescoLui è molto simpatico.He is very nice.
- GiuliaDi dove è?Where is he from?
- FrancescoLui è di Roma.He is from Rome.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries lui, è, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
