Lesson 4. Mi piace, mi piacciono: likes and dislikes

Say what you like, and agree or disagree. The thing liked is the subject; the person comes before the verb as a “to whom” word. “Mi piace la radio” — literally “the radio pleases me”, the reverse of English “I like the radio”. One thing — piace, several — piacciono: “Mi piace il succo”, “Mi piacciono i succhi”. The verb agrees with what is liked, not with the person. With an activity, piace takes the infinitive: “Vi piace cucinare?” — always piace, even with two activities: “Mi piace leggere e viaggiare”. The “to whom” words are a closed set: mi (to me), ti (to you, informal), gli (to him), le (to her), Le (to you, formal), ci (to us), vi (to you all). For now, they go only with piacere. Things in general take the article, unlike English: “Mi piace il cappuccino”, “Mi piacciono le spremute”. Question and answers: “Ti piace la palestra? — Sì, molto. / No, per niente”. Agreeing: “Anche a me” — me too; “Neanche a me” — me neither (after a negative). And the set phrases “Sono d'accordo” / “Non sono d'accordo”. At this level, piacere goes with things and activities, not people. Common mistakes: • NOT “Io piaccio la radio” — “Mi piace la radio”. • NOT “Mi piace i succhi” — several: “Mi piacciono i succhi”. • NOT “Mi piacciono cucinare” — with a verb, always piace: “Mi piace cucinare”. • NOT “Anche me” — the answer needs a me: “Anche a me”.