The relative pronouns are used to link a subordinate clause to a main clause, relating one to the other by replacing a noun, pronoun or phrase of the main clause.

 

The Italian relative pronouns are: che, cui, il quale, chi.

 

Che is invariable, and you can use it both when referring to persons / animals and things. It functions as subject or direct object. It translates in English as who, that / which when subject, and whom, that / which when direct object.

 

Examples:

 

- La signora che sta parlando è la moglie del mio vicino / The lady who's talking is my neighbour's wife

- La signora che vedi laggiù è la moglie del mio vicino / The lady whom you can see over there is my neighbour's wife

 

—> NOTE that while in English you can omit the relative pronoun, in Italian you cannot do that.

 

For example:

 

Il disco che ho comprato. / The vinyl I bought.

La donna che ho sposato. / The woman I married.

 

Cui is invariable, and you can use it both when referring to persons / animals and things. It functions as indirect object, preceded by a preposition [which can be omitted if it's a (to)] . It translates in English as (to / for / with)  whom, that / which.

 

Examples:

 

- La signora a cui hai appena dato un bacio è la moglie del mio vicino / The lady to whom you have just given a kiss is my neighbour's wife

- Non ho nessuno con cui parlare / I have no one to talk to

- Non ho ancora comprato il libro di cui mi hai parlato / I still haven't bought the book which you've told me about

 

il quale has feminine and plural forms. You can use it both when referring to persons / animals and things, replacing che and cui (it has a more formal tone). It can function as subject, direct object and indirect object (preceded by various prepositions).

 

Examples:

 

- Ho parlato con tua sorella, la quale non si ricorda di me / I've talked to your sister who doesn't remember me —> subject

- Ti chiamerà mia zia, la quale hai già conosciuto quando eravamo ragazzi / You will receive a call from my aunt, whom you've already met when we were kids —> direct object

- L'amico al quale hai chiesto consiglio è passato a trovarti / The friend whom you've asked for advice has called by —> indirect object