Pronouns: Disjunctive

01

Forms of Disjunctive Pronouns

These pronouns often correspond to subject pronouns but have distinct forms for the first and second person singular.

• I: me (me)
• You (informal): te (you)
• He: lui (him)
• She: lei (her)
• You (formal): Lei (you)
• We: noi (us)
• You (plural): voi (you all)
• They: loro (them)
• Reflexive (3rd person): sé (himself, herself, themselves)

Note that lui, lei, Lei, noi, voi, and loro have the same form as the subject pronouns. The context determines their function.

02

After Prepositions

The most common and mandatory use of disjunctive pronouns is after a preposition, such as con (with), per (for), di (of/about), a (to), da (from/by), su (on), or senza (without). Unstressed object pronouns cannot be used here.

• Vengo al cinema con te.

  I'm coming to the movies with you.

• Questo regalo non è per me, è per lui.

  This gift isn't for me, it's for him.

• Andiamo via senza di loro.

  Let's leave without them.

03

For Emphasis and Contrast

Disjunctive pronouns are used to emphasize or contrast the subject or object of a sentence. This is often done by placing the pronoun after the verb or by using it to draw a clear distinction between two people.

• La cena la preparo io, tu puoi rilassarti.

  I'll prepare dinner, you can relax.

• Lui vuole andare al mare, ma lei preferisce la montagna.

  He wants to go to the sea, but she prefers the mountains.

• Chi ha chiamato? Sei stato tu?

  Who called? Was it you?

04

In Comparisons

When making a comparison with di (than) or come (as), you must use a disjunctive pronoun.

• Mio fratello è più forte di me.

  My brother is stronger than me.

• Loro sono veloci come noi.

  They are as fast as we are.

• Pensi di essere migliore di lei?

  Do you think you are better than her?

05

In Isolation and Short Answers

These pronouns can stand on their own, especially in short answers to questions.

• Chi vuole l'ultimo pezzo di pizza?

  Me!

• Chi è?

  It's me, open the door!

06

With Compound Subjects

When a subject or object consists of more than one person (including the speaker or listener), disjunctive pronouns are used.

• Io e Maria andiamo in vacanza insieme.

  Maria and I are going on vacation together.

• Il professore vuole parlare con te e con lui.

  The professor wants to speak with you and with him.

07

The Reflexive Pronoun 'Sé'

The pronoun sé is the disjunctive reflexive pronoun for the third person (singular and plural) and the formal "you" (Lei). It is used after prepositions when the object of the preposition is the same as the subject of the verb.

• Marco parla sempre di sé.

  Marco always talks about himself.

• Ognuno pensa per sé.

  Everyone thinks for themselves.

Be careful not to confuse it with the non-reflexive pronouns lui or lei.

• Porta il libro con sé.

  He/She brings the book with him/herself.

• Porta il libro con lui.

  She brings the book with him (another person).

The accent on sé is important to distinguish it from se (if). However, the accent is dropped when sé is followed by stesso, stessa, stessi, or stesse.

• Lo fa per se stesso.

  He does it for himself.