In Italian we use “E’ “(verbo “essere”) oppure “C’E’ ” (verbo “esserci”) in different situations:
E’ – (verb Essere)
The verb essere (to be) has proper forms in the present indicative.
(io) Sono in Italia (I am in Italy)
(noi) Siamo in Italia (We are in Italy)
More examples with E’ (essere)
Questo è il signor Ferrari e questa è la sua valigia. (identifico una persona o una cosa) This is Mr.Ferrari and this is his suitcase. (I identify a person or a thing)
Paola è bionda e simpatica. (parlo delle caratteristiche di Paola) Paola is blond and nice. (I talk about of Paola’s physical characteristics)
Questa frutta è matura. (parlo dello stato della frutta) This fruit is ripe. (I talk about of the condition of the fruit)
C’è – Ci sono
The expressions c’è/ci sono (there is/there are), have to be used to indicate that someone or something is in a given place.
The word ci, when combined with the third person of essere, means “there is” or “there are.”
This important adverb expresses the existence or presence of something or someone. When the third-person singular è is combined with ci, the contraction c’è is made.
In camera c’è l’armadio (In the bedroom there is the wardrobe)
In camera ci sono gli armadi (In the bedroom there are the wardrobes)
Asking questions with c’è
When it comes to asking questions, intonation is essential. The word order remains the same when expressing c’è in a question. . As in English, towards the end of the phrase, you should raise your voice:
C’è una banca (Is there a bank?)
Negative sentences with c’è
To make negative statements, simply add the word non in front of the sentence:
Non c’è problema. (There is no problem.)
Some examples with “C’E’ ” (esserci)
In questo ufficio c’è l’aria condizionata. (descrivo qualcosa che è presente nell’ufficio) In this office there is air conditioning. (I describe something that is present in the office)
L’aereo non può atterrare perché c’è troppa nebbia. (la nebbia è presente in questo momento) The plane can not land because there is too much fog. (the fog is here right now)
C’è un problema per il pagamento. (esiste un problema in questo momento) There is a problem for payment. (They have a problem right now).
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