Can you explain the difference between “mi piace” and “mi piacciono” in Italian?
Last Updated: 16.06.2025 05:23
A couple of examples:
From discussion thus far you might already have understood that “mi piacciono" employs the third person plural form of the verb and translates as “they (understood) please me”, i.e. I like them.
The direct object pronoun “mi" is the object of the verb “piacere" (to please). Also known as conjunctive, such pronouns generally precede the verb that governs them. The expression “mi piace", employing third person singular format, translates literally to English as “it (understood) pleases me", i.e. I like it.
How do you feel about Donald Trump signing an executive order that says there are only two genders?
La veste mi piace. - I like the dress. (The dress pleases me).
Contrary to English “I like it", “mi piace” is not a personal expression with “I" as the subject. In Italian the subject and object are transposed — “mi piace" literally means “it pleases me". The verb is third person singular.
Le scarpe mi piacciono. - I like the shoes. (The shoes please me.)
What would TERFs do if there weren't such a thing as being transgender? Who would be their target?
The endings of verbs indicate person and number in Italian and subject pronouns may therefore be omitted except when necessary for clearness or emphasis. In the case of “it" and “they" (referring to things) they are almost never used.
Thank you for your question.