Logo

Can you explain the difference between “mi piace” and “mi piacciono” in Italian?

Last Updated: 30.06.2025 01:05

Can you explain the difference between “mi piace” and “mi piacciono” in Italian?

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.

Le scarpe mi piacciono. - I like the shoes. (The shoes please me.)

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.

NFL Declines Comment on Viral Video of Patriots' Stefon Diggs Partying on Boat - Bleacher Report

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.

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.

Why do men always bring up “the draft” (the last military draft was in 1972) when abortion rights are being discussed? - are they advocating that women ought to owe our bodies to the government? Should anyone owe their body to the state?

A couple of examples:

Thank you for your question.