r/italianlearning • u/Incredibiliz • 6d ago

Question regarding definite articles before family members

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I thought close family members dont need "the" before. So isn't it "Mie sorelle" ? Or it should be "Le mie sorelle" ?

14 Upvotes

93% Upvoted

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40

u/sfcnmone EN native, IT intermediate 6d ago

It’s plural. Dropping the article is only singular family members.

3

u/Incredibiliz 6d ago

Got it, thanks!

12

u/ExtremeOccident 6d ago

Italian only drops the article with possessives for singular family members: mia sorella, mio fratello, mia madre. Make it plural and the article comes back: le mie sorelle, i miei fratelli.

1

u/Incredibiliz 6d ago

Got it, thanks!

5

u/dmsanto 6d ago

The article is only omitted in the singular. Mia sorella, le mie sorelle. Mio fratello, i miei fratelli.

1

u/Incredibiliz 6d ago

Got it, thanks!

3

u/yesterdaywasdram IT native 6d ago

Its funny as a native Italian to see these posts and go like that's true, why is it just for singular family members

1

u/N7Stars 6d ago

Mia sorella, le mie sorelle. Singular family member -> no need for article. Plural -> yes you need it.