Italian · Greetings & Essentials

"There" in Italian: lì / là

lì / là

Say it: leeadverb/li/

There in Italian is lì (lee), with an accent. Là also means there; the checker treats lì as the clear everyday form. Resta lì means stay there.

Pointing across a room

Le chiavi sono lì sul tavolo.
The keys are there on the table.
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How to pronounce lì / là

Say it

lee

/li/

Lì is one short syllable: lee. Write the accent so it is not confused with li without stress.

"There" in Italian: quick reference

ItalianEnglish
there

Place away from the speaker.

resta lìstay there

Instructions.

lì vicinonear there

Directions.

da lìfrom there

Starting point.

How to use lì / là in real life

  1. 1Pointing across a room

    Le chiavi sono lì sul tavolo.

    The keys are there on the table.

    Lì.

  2. 2Photo pose

    Resta lì un secondo, non muoverti.

    Stay there a second, don't move.

    Resta lì.

  3. 3Meeting spot

    Ci vediamo lì davanti al cinema.

    We'll meet there in front of the cinema.

    Lì.

Mistakes English speakers make with lì / là

Incorrect: Le chiavi sono there.

Correct: Le chiavi sono lì.

Use lì, not English there.

Incorrect: Vai li senza accento.

Correct: Vai lì.

Write lì with the accent.

Good to know

Lì and là both work; lì often feels a bit more pinpointed. Pointing while saying lì is half the meaning.

Try it in a ChatPal conversation

Finding a free table outdoors

  1. ChatPal

    Il tavolo libero è lì sotto l'ombrellone.

    The free table is there under the umbrella.

  2. You

    Perfetto, vado lì io.

    Perfect, I'll go there.

  3. ChatPal

    Io resto lì e ordino due acque.

    I'll stay there and order two waters.

  4. You

    Grazie.

    Thanks.

This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.

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"There" in other languages

FAQ

Common questions about "There" in Italian

How do I say there?

Lì (also là).

Stay there?

Resta lì.

Near there?

Lì vicino.

Why the accent?

Lì marks the stressed adverb; write it.

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