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Lesson 10:
Socializing

Definite Articles

Did you notice that in Italian, the definite article ( il, la, i, gli, le, and so on) is used to express a generic or general noun, while it’s omitted in English? So, in English, you like expensive hotels in general, but in Italian, ti piacciono gli alberghi costosi.

Take another look at these examples, and compare the English (with an article) to the Italian (without one.) Note that gli can mean (to) him or (to) them.

Non mi piacciono le storie d’amore. I don’t like love stories.
Non Le piacciono i concerti di musica classica. You (sg., fml.) don’t like classical music concerts.
Gli piace la musica pop. He likes pop music. / They like pop music.
Le piacciono i gruppi inglesi. She likes British bands.
Non ci piacciono gli alberghi costosi. We don’t like expensive hotels.
Vi piacciono i balli latinoamericani. You (pl.) like Latin American dancing.

Keep in mind that if you like doing something, you’ll just use the infinitive, without any article. And the most natural translation in these cases is with an - ing form of the verb in English.

Ci piace viaggiare. We like traveling.
Vi piace ballare. You (pl.) like dancing.
Gli piace leggere. He likes reading. / They like reading.