In Italian, the passive voice can be formed by using the pronominal particle, si, and a verb in the third person singular or plural. This si is called the si passivante. This form is used when speaking generally or when indicating a group of people who complete an action, instead of someone specifically. Equivalent constructions in English (using the verb to do as an example) include: people do, they do, one does, everybody does.
To use the si passivante, the verb form must either be in the third person singular or plural. Verbs using the si passivante must agree with the subject. As we’ve seen in the other lessons about the passive voice, direct objects in active sentences become the subjects of passive sentences; this is also the case with the si passivante. The verb in each sentence is in bold and the subject is in italics.
In the following example sentences you will see the passive form of the sentence using essere and the corresponding sentence which uses the si passivante. Note how the emphasis can be changed by the different constructions.
This construction, like other passive constructions, is only possible with transitive verbs. Unlike the other constructions, however, it can only be used when the person or persons completing the action are not explicitly specified. Take a look at the following examples.
Those completing the actions are always implied and never explicitly stated with the si passivante.
To use the si passivante, the verb form must either be in the third person singular or plural. Verbs using the si passivante must agree with the subject. As we’ve seen in the other lessons about the passive voice, direct objects in active sentences become the subjects of passive sentences; this is also the case with the si passivante. The verb in each sentence is in bold and the subject is in italics.
Singular:
| Questo libro si legge con molto piacere. People read this book quite willingly. La carne rossa si mangia sempre meno. Everyone is eating less red meat. |
Plural:
| Qui si vendono francobolli. They sell stamps here. All’università si imparano diverse cose. At the university, you learn many different things. |
In the following example sentences you will see the passive form of the sentence using essere and the corresponding sentence which uses the si passivante. Note how the emphasis can be changed by the different constructions.
| Al ristorante Da Michele sono preparati dei piatti particolari. At the restaurant Da Michele, unique dishes are prepared. Al ristorante Da Michele si preparano dei piatti particolari. At the restaurant Da Michele, unique dishes are prepared. Il nome dell’uomo che ha salvato la bambina non è conosciuto. The name of the man who saved the little girl is not known. Non si conosce il nome dell’uomo che ha salvato la bambina. They don’t know the name of the man who saved the little girl. Il tuo coraggio è lodato. Your courage is praised. Si loda il tuo coraggio. People praise your courage. |
This construction, like other passive constructions, is only possible with transitive verbs. Unlike the other constructions, however, it can only be used when the person or persons completing the action are not explicitly specified. Take a look at the following examples.
Active Phrase:
| Il sito web vende biglietti economici. The website sells cheap tickets. |
Passive Phrase with essere:
| Biglietti economici sono venduti dal sito web. Cheap tickets are sold by the website. |
Passive Phrase with si passivante:
| Si vendono biglietti economici. They sell cheap tickets. Incorrect: |
Those completing the actions are always implied and never explicitly stated with the si passivante.