cui (dopo preposizione)
Relative Pronoun 'Cui'
Use cui when a relative pronoun follows a preposition (like di, a, da, in, con). While the word cui itself is invariable, the definite article used in the possessive construction (il cui, la cui) must agree with the noun that follows it.
How It Works
The pronoun cui is essential for connecting sentences where the shared element is an indirect object.
1. Usage with Prepositions
In Italian, you cannot use che after a preposition. Instead, use cui (or the more formal il quale). It is preceded by simple prepositions:
- Il ragazzo con cui studio... (The boy with whom I study...)
- La ditta per cui lavoro... (The company for which I work...)
2. The 'A' Exception
In formal writing, the preposition a (to) can be omitted before cui. For example, 'La persona cui ho scritto' is a more formal version of 'La persona a cui ho scritto'.
3. Possessive Relative (Whose)
When cui is placed between a definite article and a noun, it means 'whose'. The article must agree with the thing possessed, not the owner:
- L'uomo il cui cane... (The man whose dog [masculine]...)
- L'uomo la cui casa... (The man whose house [feminine]...)
4. Prepositions with the Possessive
If you need to use a preposition with the 'whose' construction, the preposition is placed before the article, often forming articulated prepositions:
- L'uomo alla cui figlia ho parlato... (The man to whose daughter I spoke...)
- Il libro del cui autore si parla... (The book of whose author they are speaking...)
5. Register
While il quale can also be used after prepositions, cui is much more common in everyday speech and standard writing.
Examples (5)
- La città in cui vivo è molto piccola.
The city in which I live is very small.
Word by Word: The city in which (I) live is very small.
Here 'cui' follows the preposition 'in' to refer back to 'la città'.
- È un amico di cui mi fido molto.
He is a friend whom I trust a lot.
Word by Word: Is a friend of whom (to) myself (I) trust much.
The verb 'fidarsi' requires the preposition 'di', so we use 'di cui'.
- Questo è il regista il cui film ha vinto il premio.
This is the director whose film won the prize.
Word by Word: This is the director the whose film has won the prize.
The article 'il' agrees with 'film' (masculine singular), while 'cui' indicates possession.
- Le persone con cui sono uscito sono simpatiche.
The people I went out with are nice.
Word by Word: The people with whom (I) am gone-out are nice.
In Italian, the preposition 'con' must come before 'cui'; it cannot be placed at the end of the sentence.
- Il motivo per cui ti chiamo è importante.
The reason why I am calling you is important.
Word by Word: The motive for which (to) you (I) call is important.
'Per cui' is the standard way to say 'for which' or 'why' when referring to a reason.
Common Mistakes
Using 'che' after a preposition.
Il libro di che parliamo.Il libro di cui parliamo.After a preposition, a relative pronoun must be 'cui' (or 'il quale'): 'di cui parliamo'. 'Che' is only a subject or a direct object, apart from set time phrases such as 'il giorno che ci siamo conosciuti'.
Dangling prepositions at the end of the sentence.
La ragazza cui parlo con.La ragazza con cui parlo.Unlike English, Italian prepositions must always precede the relative pronoun.
Incorrect article agreement in possessive constructions.
L'uomo il cui figlia è bionda.L'uomo la cui figlia è bionda.The article must agree with the noun that follows (figlia - feminine), not the owner (l'uomo).
How It Connects
Learn This First
To learn 'cui', a learner must first understand how simple and articulated prepositions work, as 'cui' is the form used exclusively after prepositions. Additionally, a basic introduction to relative pronouns is needed to understand the function of connecting two sentences.
- Articulated (Contracted) Prepositions
Understanding how prepositions combine with articles is necessary for forms like 'del cui' or when 'cui' follows a contracted preposition.
Level 1 - che / cuiRelative Pronouns 'Che' and 'Cui'
A basic understanding of relative pronouns and the distinction between 'che' (subject/direct object) and 'cui' (indirect object) is essential.
Level 2
Related Patterns
- il quale / la qualeRelative Pronoun 'Il Quale/la Quale'
A more formal alternative to 'cui' that changes based on gender and number.
Level 3 - il cui / la cuiPossessive Relative ('Il Cui/la Cui')
Focuses specifically on the possessive usage of 'cui' meaning 'whose'.
Level 3 - chiRelative Pronoun 'Chi'
Often confused with 'cui', but 'chi' means 'the person who' and does not have an antecedent.
Level 3 - Simple Prepositions
Understanding simple prepositions is necessary to use 'cui' correctly in indirect complements.
Level 1
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
Words in This Pattern
Sources
Practice cui (dopo preposizione) in Bubblegum
Poppy, your AI tutor, writes Italian lessons at your level. Tap any grammar point in a lesson to see its full explanation.
