C'è and ci sono are Italian's way of saying "there is" and "there are," and they're among the very first expressions you'll need to describe the world around you. C'è (a contraction of ci + è) is for one thing — C'è un problema (There's a problem), C'è un ristorante qui vicino (There's a restaurant nearby) — while ci sono is for two or more — Ci sono tre studenti in classe (There are three students in class), Ci sono molte cose da fare (There are many things to do). The choice depends entirely on whether the noun that follows is singular or plural, and the rest of the sentence falls into place around it.
In the exercises below you'll work through both forms in affirmative sentences, negatives (non c'è, non ci sono), and questions (C'è...? Ci sono...?), plus tackle the very common mistake of confusing c'è (existence) with è (description). You'll also see how Italians use ecco to point something out — Ecco il libro! (Here's the book!) — which complements c'è in real conversation. Once you can confidently describe what exists in a place, asking about hotel rooms, finding shops, or describing your home becomes second nature. This is genuinely high-leverage A1 vocabulary that pays off from your first day in Italy.
In Italian, c'è and ci sono are used to indicate the existence or presence of something, equivalent to 'there is' and 'there are' in English. C'è is a contraction of ci + è (from the verb essere — to be). Ci sono uses the third-person plural of essere. These expressions are essential for describing what exists in a place, listing items, or talking about availability.
| Italian | English | Use |
|---|---|---|
| c'è | there is | singular noun |
| ci sono | there are | plural noun |
| non c'è | there is not / there isn't | singular — negative |
| non ci sono | there are not / there aren't | plural — negative |
| c'è...? | is there...? | singular — question |
| ci sono...? | are there...? | plural — question |
The choice between c'è and ci sono depends entirely on whether the noun that follows is singular or plural. If you are talking about one thing, use c'è. If you are talking about more than one thing, use ci sono. Always look at the noun after the expression to decide.
Do not confuse c'è (there is) with è (he/she/it is). C'è always indicates existence or presence — something exists in a location or situation. È describes what something or someone is. For example: 'C'è un gatto' = There is a cat (it exists here). 'Il gatto è bello' = The cat is beautiful (description).
When answering yes/no questions with c'è or ci sono, Italians often use: Sì, c'è / No, non c'è or Sì, ci sono / No, non ci sono. You can also use ecco to point something out: Ecco il libro! (Here is the book! / There's the book!). Ecco is used when showing or pointing to something visible, while c'è describes existence.
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Basic C'è
10 questions
Basic Ci Sono
10 questions
Singular or Plural?
10 questions
C'è and Ci Sono with Articles
10 questions
Negation: Non C'è / Non Ci Sono
10 questions
Questions with C'è and Ci Sono
10 questions
Describing Places and Rooms
10 questions
Describing Scenes
10 questions
Fill in C'è or Ci Sono
10 questions
Mixed Practice — Group 1 Review
10 questions
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Non C'è — Singular Negation
10 questions
Non Ci Sono — Plural Negation
10 questions
Forming Questions with C'è and Ci Sono
10 questions
Answering Questions with C'è and Ci Sono
10 questions
Short Answers Practice
10 questions
In the Classroom
10 questions
Around the House
10 questions
Places in the City
10 questions
Fill in the Negative Forms
10 questions
Mixed Practice — Group 2 Review
10 questions
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C'è and Ci Sono with Adjectives
10 questions
Descriptions with Colors
10 questions
Quantity Expressions with C'è and Ci Sono
10 questions
Ecco vs C'è
10 questions
C'è and Ci Sono in Context
10 questions
Describing a Bedroom
10 questions
In the Kitchen
10 questions
A Street Scene
10 questions
Fill in — Descriptive Sentences
10 questions
Mixed Practice — Group 3 Review
10 questions
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Complex Sentences
10 questions
Sentences with Multiple Items
10 questions
Location Expressions
10 questions
Formal Contexts
10 questions
Informal Speech
10 questions
Reading Comprehension Context
10 questions
Dialogue Fill-in
10 questions
Describing an Apartment
10 questions
A Day at the Park
10 questions
Mixed Practice — Group 4 Review
10 questions
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Advanced: Tricky Singular Cases
10 questions
Advanced: Tricky Plural Cases
10 questions
Contrast: C'è vs È / Ci Sono vs Sono
10 questions
Real-World Scenarios 1
10 questions
Real-World Scenarios 2
10 questions
Complex Negation
10 questions
Complex Questions
10 questions
Paragraph Fill-in
10 questions
Comprehensive Review 1
10 questions
Comprehensive Review 2
10 questions
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C’è (contraction of "ci è") means "there is" (singular). Ci sono means "there are" (plural). "C’è un libro sul tavolo" (There is a book on the table); "Ci sono tre libri sul tavolo" (There are three books on the table).
Use "C’è?" or "Ci sono?" with rising intonation: "C’è il tuo amico?" (Is your friend there?), "Ci sono biglietti?" (Are there any tickets?). To answer no, use "No, non c’è" or "No, non ci sono".
Yes. The past tense of c’è/ci sono is c’era/c’erano in the imperfetto: "C’era molta gente alla festa" (There were a lot of people at the party). The passato prossimo c’è stato/ci sono stati exists too but is less common in everyday speech.
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