Ways to say it
| Italian | IPA |
|---|---|
| ci | /t͡ʃi/ |
| noi | /ˈnoj/ |
| a noi | /a ˈnoj/ (word by word) |
In Italian, the way you say 'us' depends on whether you are emphasizing the group, using it after a preposition or using it as a standard object within a sentence. While ci is used as a direct or indirect object in most standard sentence structures, noi is used when you want to place emphasis on the word 'us' or when it follows a preposition.
Which one should you use?
The unstressed pronoun ci is used as a direct or indirect object in most standard sentence structures. In contrast, the stressed pronoun noi is used when you want to emphasize 'us' specifically or when the pronoun follows a preposition. Additionally, a noi is an emphatic form used to specifically highlight that an action is directed toward us rather than toward someone else.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
When used as a direct or indirect object, ci is a clitic and typically precedes the conjugated verb, such as in ci vede for 'he sees us'. The form a noi serves as an emphatic indirect object.
How do you pronounce it?
/tʃi/
Did you know?
- The word ci might have evolved from the Late Latin ecce hīc, which literally translates to 'look here'.
- While ci usually means 'us', it can also be used as a 'pronominal particle' to mean 'about it' or 'in it' depending on the verb.
- In very formal or archaic Italian, the pronoun noi was sometimes used by a single person to refer to themselves, similar to the English 'royal we'.
Examples in context
- Si unì a noi.He joined us.This sentence shows the use of noi as the object of a preposition.Tatoeba #4202412 by Guybrush88, translation #2858829 by Amastan
- È uno di noi.You are one of us.This sentence shows how to use noi to express being one part of a group.Tatoeba #4316370 by Guybrush88, translation #2892983 by CK
- Tom è con noi.Tom is with us.This sentence shows how to use noi after a preposition to indicate accompaniment.Tatoeba #2273703 by Guybrush88, translation #2273637 by CK
- Dobbiamo risolvere il problema da noi stessi.We have to solve the problem ourselves.
- Dai, facciamo una passeggiata, noi ragazze.Come on, let's take a walk, us girls.
- Noi tutti siamo pronti per la festa.All of us are ready for the party.
- 6948 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Matteo and Sofia are walking in a park and see a photographer.
- MatteoCi vede?Does he see us?
- SofiaSì, ci sta guardando.Yes, he is looking at us.
- MatteoPossiamo fare una foto con lui?Can we take a photo with him?
- SofiaCerto, chiedigli!Sure, ask him!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “us” translations and entries ci, noi, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (a, noi) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries a, ci, noi, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
