questo sono io
/ˈkwes.to ˈso.no ˈi.o/word by word
The Italian phrase for "this is me" is questo sono io.
questo sono io is used to identify yourself, such as when pointing to a photograph or introducing yourself within a specific context.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to "this am I" because the verb essere (to be) must agree with the subject io (I).
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈkwes.to ˈso.no ˈi.o/
Did you know?
- In most everyday Italian sentences, the word io is dropped entirely because the verb sono already tells the listener who is speaking.
- The word io evolved from the Classical Latin egō̆, which is the same root that gave English the word 'ego'.
- The verb sono is a linguistic 'double agent' because it serves as both the first person singular 'I am' and the third person plural 'they are'.
Examples in context
- Questo sono io dieci anni fa.This is me ten years ago.This sentence is useful for showing how to refer to yourself in the past.Tatoeba #10892654 by Guybrush88, translation #10741533 by ddnktr
- Questo sono io e questo è il mio gatto.This is me and this is my cat.This sentence is useful for introducing yourself alongside another subject.Tatoeba #3646901 by Guybrush88, translation #1829466 by Spamster
- Questo sono io mentre mangio una banana.This is me eating a banana.This sentence is useful for describing an action you are performing.Tatoeba #1098585 by Guybrush88, translation #1098570 by cntrational
- Ciao, eccomi! Sono Luca.Hi, here I am! I'm Luca.
- 4 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Martina and Matteo are looking at an old photo album.
- MartinaGuarda questa foto, questo sono io da bambina.Look at this photo, this is me as a child.
- MatteoSei molto carina in questa immagine.You are very cute in this image.
- MartinaGrazie, ero proprio una bambina vivace!Thanks, I was a very lively child!
- MatteoSi vede bene dal tuo sorriso.It shows clearly from your smile.
Sources
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (questo, sono, io) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries io, questo, sono, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
