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

10.06.2025 02:37

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

Thank you for your question.

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.

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.

How would you advertise if you wanted to be a "tour guide" who can take you through the dark web while warning you what not to look at and not to click on?

La veste mi piace. - I like the dress. (The dress pleases me).

A couple of examples:

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

Why are many women so drawn or attracted to men that have been or are currently in prison and men that are involved in street life/illegal activities?

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.

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.