dei / degli / delle

Indefinite Plural (Dei/degli/delle)

Level 1

In Italian, there is no single word for 'a' in the plural. Instead, we use the articolo partitivo plurale (dei, degli, delle) to mean 'some' or 'an unspecified number' of things.

How It Works

The partitive article functions as the plural of articoli indeterminativi (un, uno, una).

1. Formation:

Dei: Masculine plural (used like 'i'). Example: dei libri (some books).
Degli: Masculine plural (used like 'gli' before vowels or special sounds like s+consonante, z, gn, ps, x, y). Example: degli amici (some friends).
Delle: Feminine plural (used like 'le'). Example: delle ragazze (some girls).

2. Usage:
It is used with countable nouns to indicate a part of a group or a vague quantity. While it often translates to 'some' or 'any' in English, it is frequently left untranslated (e.g., 'Ho dei dubbi' = 'I have doubts').

3. Register and Style:

Negative Sentences: In negative sentences, the article is usually omitted (zero article) or replaced by the singular 'nessuno' or 'alcuno' (e.g., 'Non ho libri' or 'Non ho alcun libro').
Preposition Clash: In formal writing or careful speech, avoid using the partitive article immediately after another preposizione. Instead, use alcuni/alcune. For example, 'con alcuni amici' is preferred over 'con degli amici'.
General Use: Aside from the prepositional clash, the partitive is widely accepted in both spoken and modern formal Italian.

Examples (5)

Ho comprato dei giornali.
I bought some newspapers.
Word by Word: I have bought some newspapers.
'Dei' is used because 'giornali' is masculine plural starting with a consonant.
Ci sono delle persone in giardino.
There are some people in the garden.
Word by Word: There are some people in garden.
'Delle' is the feminine plural form used for 'persone'.
Abbiamo visto degli elefanti allo zoo.
We saw some elephants at the zoo.
Word by Word: We have seen some elephants at the zoo.
'Degli' is used because 'elefanti' starts with a vowel.
Vuoi degli spaghetti?
Do you want some spaghetti?
Word by Word: Want you some spaghetti?
'Degli' is used here because 'spaghetti' starts with 's + consonant'.
Ho delle amiche italiane.
I have some Italian (female) friends.
Word by Word: I have some friends Italian.
'Delle' is used for all feminine plural nouns, regardless of the starting letter.

Common Mistakes

Using the partitive article in negative sentences.
Non ho dei libri.
Non ho libri.
In negative sentences, Italian usually omits the article (zero article) to mean 'any'. Alternatively, you can use the singular nessun or 'alcun'.
Using the partitive after a specific quantity.
Un chilo delle mele.
Un chilo di mele.
When you specify a weight or measure, use the simple preposizione 'di', not the partitive article.
Confusing 'dei' with 'qualche'.
Qualche libri.
Qualche libro / Dei libri.
The word qualche always requires a singular noun, even though it means 'some'. 'Dei' always requires a plural noun.

How It Connects

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dei / degli / delleLevel 1Indefinite Plural (Dei/degli/delle)

Learn This First

To understand the indefinite plural, you need to know how to form plural nouns and be familiar with the singular indefinite articles. Additionally, because the forms 'dei', 'degli', and 'delle' are phonetically identical to articulated prepositions and follow the same rules as definite articles, understanding the 'lo/gli' phonetic rules is essential for choosing the correct form.

Indefinite Articles
The indefinite plural (dei, degli, delle) functions as the plural counterpart to the singular indefinite articles (un, uno, una).
Level 1

Words in This Pattern

deglidelle

Sources

Practice dei / degli / delle in Bubblegum

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