Pronomi relativi

• Pronomi relativi (relative pronouns) connect two clauses in order to create a more elaborate and complex sentence. These pronouns refer to a previously mentioned noun (person, place, or thing) about which more information is given. As with other types of pronouns, pronomi relativi also help to avoid repetition.


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• Although relative pronouns are sometimes omitted in English, they are always required in Italian.
• The most common Italian pronomi relativi are:


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• Che (who, whom, which, that) is invariable and refers to people and things.


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• Cui (whom, which) is also invariable and it is used in place of che only after a preposition.


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• Cui preceded by a definite article indicates possession, ownership, and corresponds to the English whose. The definite article takes the gender (m./f.) and number of the noun that comes immediately after the pronoun cui.


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• Chi (those who, the one / the person who or the ones / the people who) refers only to people and it always takes the verb in the singular form.


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• Quello che / Quel che / Ciò che (what, that which) only refers to things or concepts. Quel che is a shortened form of quello che.


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• Proverbs often use expressions such as He who, Those who, or All that. Here are some examples:


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