How to Use “Si Impersonale” in Italian (Grammar + Examples)

What Does “Si Impersonale” Mean?

When reading a recipe, hearing rules in school, or getting unsolicited advice from your Italian zia, you’ll often come across a mysterious little word: "si". But what is this elusive "si impersonale"?

In Italian, the si impersonale is a structure used to express general rules, habits, or procedures — without saying exactly who is doing the action. It's like saying “one does...”, “you do...”, or “people usually...” in English.

And yes — it’s very Italian to avoid directness sometimes. Blame it on culture!

Example 1: Pizza and Rules (Because We’re in Italy)

You’ve got friends over. You’ve studied Italian for months. You want to impress them with an autentica pizza italiana! You call your Italian relative (the one who always judges your cooking) and say:

“Voglio preparare una pizza! Mi aiuti?”

And they reply:

“Certo! Si versa la farina in una ciotola, si aggiungono il sale e il lievito, poi si versa l’acqua...”

See what happened? The speaker never says “you” or “I” — they use "si" + a verb in the 3rd person to describe a general process.

🧂 It’s not just a pizza—it’s grammar in the oven.

Example 2: Classroom Chaos and Si Impersonale

You’re teaching English in Italy. First day. The students are all on their phones. The rules are clear: no phones in class. So you step forward and say:

“Non si usa il telefono in classe!”

You didn’t accuse anyone directly. You just stated the rule in a polite, neutral way — and that’s exactly what si impersonale is for.

The Structure: How to Build a “Si Impersonale” Sentence

According to L’Accademia della Crusca, the highest authority in preserving the Italian language, the si impersonale is formed using the particle “si” + the verb in 3rd person singular or plural, depending on the object that follows.

Formula:

SI + [3rd person verb, present tense]

Examples:

• Si mangia bene in Italia. → “One eats well in Italy.”

• Si balla il sabato sera. → “People dance on Saturday nights.”

• Si bevono molti caffè. → “A lot of coffee is drunk.”

Singular or Plural?

• If the object is singular → use 3rd person singular
  → Si aggiunge un uovo (an egg is added)

• If the object is plural → use 3rd person plural
  → Si usano quattro uova (four eggs are used)

More cake? More verbs.

Why It Matters

The si impersonale is everywhere:

• In recipes, manuals, and tutorials

• On signs and announcements

• In rules, laws, and etiquette

• Even in spoken Italian to soften criticism (“Non si fa così!”)

It lets you sound more natural and more Italian — while avoiding pointing fingers.

Cultural Note: Indirectness in Italian

As discussed in newspaper articles and across cultural sources, Italians tend to use indirect forms to soften messages or shift focus from the individual to the actions. The si impersonale fits perfectly into this communicative style — whether you’re explaining a rule, or passively-aggressively reminding someone to turn off their phone.

Learning Italian in The Hague?

If you're based in Den Haag and love Italian language, food, and culture — you’re in luck! You can learn Italian in The Hague with private or group lessons focused on grammar, speaking, and real-life expressions like “si impersonale.” We also make pizza. Probably. Contact us to book a free trial lesson.

Key Takeaways

• Use si impersonale to express general actions without naming the subject.

• It’s perfect for rules, processes, or neutral descriptions.

• Combine si + verb in 3rd person, adjusting for singular/plural nouns.

• It makes you sound more natural and culturally aware.