ho bisogno
In Italian, 'I need' is expressed as ho bisogno.
The phrase ho bisogno di is the most common and versatile way to express that something is necessary or required in Italian.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase ho bisogno literally translates to 'I have need'.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form ho bisogno is the first-person singular present tense. You must always follow this phrase with the preposition di before a noun or a pronoun. To say 'I need to [do something]', use ho bisogno di followed by an infinitive verb.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid saying io bisogno or omitting the preposition by saying ho bisogno [noun]. You must always include di after the phrase.
Did you know?
- The word bisogno does not come from Classical Latin but was borrowed from the Frankish language through Vulgar Latin.
- In Italian, using ho bisogno di to describe needing a person, like ho bisogno di te, is often reserved for romantic or life-altering necessity rather than just needing someone to help move a couch.
- If you want to express a physical or urgent craving, such as 'I need a coffee' or 'I need a cigarette', Italians often use the verb servire instead of ho bisogno.
Examples in context
- Ho bisogno di te.I need you.This sentence shows how to use ho bisogno with a person.Tatoeba #1011071 by Guybrush88, translation #17735 by CK
- Ho bisogno di lei.I need her.Tatoeba #1011072 by Guybrush88, translation #3911847 by CH
- Ho bisogno di lui.I need him.Tatoeba #5711090 by Guybrush88, translation #3911846 by CH
- Ho bisogno di aiuto.I need help.
- Ho bisogno di una penna.I need a pen.
- Ho bisogno di informazioni.I need information.
- Avrei bisogno di parlare con il direttore.I need to speak with the manager.
- Avrei bisogno di prenotare una camera d'albergo.I need to book a hotel room.
- Mi serve un caffè.I need a coffee.
- Mi serve una mano.I need a hand.
- Mi serve un passaggio all'aeroporto.I need a ride to the airport.
- Mi ci vuole un po' di pazienza.I need a little patience.
- Mi ci vuole una vacanza.I need a vacation.
- 1142 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Chiara and Francesco are at the supermarket.
- ChiaraFrancesco, ho bisogno di un litro di latte.Francesco, I need a liter of milk.
- FrancescoLo prendiamo subito, Chiara.Let's get it right away, Chiara.
- ChiaraTi serve altro per la cena?Do you need anything else for dinner?
- FrancescoNo, penso di avere tutto.No, I think I have everything.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bisogno, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
