Italian · Greetings & Essentials
"He" in Italian: lui
lui
He in Italian is lui (LOO-ee). Verb endings often make lui optional: parla already can mean he speaks. Use lui for contrast or clarity.
Assigning roles
Lui porta il vino, io porto il pane.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce lui
Say it
LOO-ee
/ˈlu.i/
Lui is LOO-ee: two vowels, stress LOO lightly.
"He" in Italian: quick reference
| Italian | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| lui | he Subject pronoun. | Subject pronoun. |
| lui sì / lui no | he does / he doesn't Short contrast. | Short contrast. |
| anche lui | he too Agreement. | Agreement. |
| lui invece | he, on the other hand Contrast. | Contrast. |
How to use lui in real life
- 1Assigning roles
Lui porta il vino, io porto il pane.
He brings the wine, I bring the bread.
Lui for contrast.
- 2Talking about a friend
Lui abita vicino alla stazione.
He lives near the station.
Lui + verb.
- 3Clarifying
No, lui non viene stasera.
No, he's not coming tonight.
Lui for clarity.
Mistakes English speakers make with lui
Incorrect: Lui sono stanco.
Correct: Lui è stanco.
Third person: è, not sono.
Incorrect: He arriva domani.
Correct: Lui arriva domani. / Arriva domani.
Use lui, not English he.
Good to know
Dropping lui sounds natural once the verb is clear. Keep lui when two people could share the same ending—clarity beats minimalism.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Figuring out who has the keys
ChatPal
Lui ha ancora le chiavi?
Does he still have the keys?
You
Sì, lui le ha messe in borsa.
Yes, he put them in his bag.
ChatPal
Allora chiamo lui adesso.
Then I'll call him now.
You
Ok, grazie.
Ok, thanks.
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"He" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "He" in Italian
Do I always say lui?
No—verb endings often make it optional.
When should I use lui?
For emphasis or when it's unclear who you mean.
He too?
Anche lui.
Pronunciation?
LOO-ee.
Learn a word, then use it out loud
- Step 1: See it in context
- Step 2: Say it out loud
- Step 3: Get feedback
- Step 4: Use it in real scenarios
Keep reading
- How to Learn Italian Fast and Speak with ConfidenceLearn how to learn Italian with a clear roadmap, speaking-first tactics and daily habits that turn basics into real conversation confidence.
- Translate Hello in Italian with ConfidenceLearn how to translate hello in Italian with context, pronunciation, and practice prompts. Master ciao, buongiorno, buonasera, and salve for real conversations.
