È (is) vs. c'è (there is)
Reminder: this is how the verb essere (to be) is conjugated in the standard present tense essere, presente.
We use è (he/she/it is):
- To indicate the location of an object when the subject comes before the verb.
La libreria è in centro.
The bookstore is in the center.
- To describe someone or something.
Lucia è molto alta.
Lucia is very tall.
- To identify people or objects.
Questo è Ciro.
This is Ciro.
Queste sono le tue penne.
These are your pens.
We use c'è (there is):
- To indicate the presence of something when the subject comes after the verb.
C'è un libro sul tavolo.
There is a book on the table.
Ci sono ancora dei cereali?
Is there any cereal left? (Note: the Italian word for “cereal” is plural, which is why we use ci sono here.)
- To ask about or indicate someone's presence somewhere.
– C'è Luca in casa? – Sì, c'è.
-Is Luca home? -Yes, he is. (Literally: “-Is there Luca at home? -Yes, there is.”)
- To ask about someone's mood.
– Cosa c'è Anna, oggi? – Non mi sento molto in forma.
-What's up today, Anna? (literally: “What is there today, Anna?”) -I'm not feeling very good.
- To talk about the weather, when c'è is followed by a noun.
Oggi c'è la nebbia fitta.
Today there is thick fog.
Stamattina c'è il sole.
This morning it's sunny (literally, “this morning there is sun”).
Notes:
- We can use the verb esserci in any tense, but only in the third person (the lui/lei and loro forms of the verb).
Ci sarà una grande manifestazione sabato esserci, futuro semplice
There will be a major event on Saturday.
C'erano tutti i tuoi amici in giardino esserci, imperfetto
All your friends were in the garden (literally, “there were all your friends…”).
- We can also use the verb stare (to be) to indicate the presence or absence of something or someone, primarily in central-southern Italy.
La fattura di Ruggero sta sul tavolo.
Ruggero's invoice is on the table.
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