Italian · Chapter 2 · Lesson 15 · Grammar primer

Mi piace: saying what you like

In Italian the thing you like is the subject. Mi piace for one thing, mi piacciono for more, and anche a me to agree.

The short version

Italian never says I like, it says it pleases me

There is no io in Mi piace la musica. The music is the subject and mi means to me. That is why the verb agrees with what you like, not with you: piace for one thing, piacciono for several. Say the thing first in your head, then add the pronoun.

Mi piacciono i film.

I like films (literally: the films please me).

Me too is anche a me, not anche io

After Mi piace, the agreeing reply keeps the pleasing structure: Anche a me. Use Neanche a me after a negative, and A me no or A me sì to disagree. The a me is the person being pleased, so io has no place here.

Non mi piace il calcio. Neanche a me.

I don't like football. Me neither.

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Lesson 15 of 24 in this chapter

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