In this lesson we join María and Rory as they discuss the letters between Carmen and Jesús which they found in the attic. The dialogue features many complex grammar points and interesting idiomatic expressions, and these are discussed by our hosts.
Day: December 9, 2015
Understanding ‘mi piace’ in Italian: learn to express likes and dislikes
Do you know how useful the expression ‘mi piace’ in Italian is? If you’re learning the language, this phrase is one of the first you’ll want to master, as it’s an easy way to express likes and dislikes.
Whether you want to talk about your favourite activities, discuss your job, or share your feelings, mi piace in Italian can help you communicate effectively. In this blog post, we’ll explore the various ways you can use this expression and related phrases. Additionally, we’ll provide practical examples and tips to boost your confidence when using them in conversation.
As always, make sure to listen to the podcast below to perfect your pronunciation of this new vocabulary!
What does ‘mi piace’ in Italian mean and how to use it?
‘Mi piace’ in Italian translates to I like but its literal meaning is it pleases me. This structure is an important one for talking about yourself in Italian, as it helps you explain things you like and dislike.
It might feel a little different if you’re coming from English, but it’s straightforward once you get the hang of it. Here’s how it works:
- mi – refers to me, indicating who likes something.
- piace – means pleases and agrees with the thing being liked.
Let’s have a look at some examples:
- Mi piace la pizza. I like pizza.
- Mi piace nuotare. I like swimming.
If you dislike something, you can simply add non at the start of the phrase. Easy, right?
- Non mi piace nuotare. I don’t like swimming.
Using ‘mi piace’ for singular and plural nouns
When the thing you like is singular, you use mi piace, which means I like in Italian. If it’s plural, you must use mi piacciono they please me:
- Mi piace il gelato. I like ice cream.
- Mi piacciono i gelati. I like ice cream.
Asking and agreeing with others
If you want to ask someone about their likes and preferences, you can say ti piace when speaking informally, or le piace when you want to be a bit more formal. It’s a great way to connect with people!
- Ti piace il tuo lavoro? Do you like your job?
- Le piace la sua azienda? Do you like your company? (formal)
Different levels of preference
Italian offers various ways to express different levels of preference. For strong likes, you might say adoro il mio lavoro, which means I love my job. To express moderate likes, you could use mi piace abbastanza il mio lavoro, meaning I quite like my job, or mi piace un po’ il mio lavoro, which translates to I like my job a little.
Conversely, when conveying dislikes, you can say non mi piace il mio lavoro, meaning I don’t like my job. For strong dislikes, you could express it as odio il traffico, which means I hate traffic.
The phrase mi piace in Italian is incredibly versatile and essential for expressing your likes, dislikes, and preferences. Whether you’re discussing your favourite foods, activities, or opinions about your job, mastering mi piace will help you connect with others and make your Italian conversations more engaging. So, next time you want to share what you enjoy, confidently use it and let the conversation flow.
To continue enhancing your skills, consider reviewing how to use possessive adjectives in Italian. Check out the article we prepared on this subject and keep progressing!
