Italian

Grammar
Made Easy
PODCAST FREEBIE
EPISODE #16

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN

BISOGNA, HO BISOGNO,
AND C’È BISOGNO
BY ITALIAN MATTERS

© ITALIAN MATTERS LLC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

HOW TO TALK ABOUT NEEDS IN ITALIAN?
To talk about needs in Italian we can use three different forms, based on how we want to present
information. To talk about needs in the past, present, or future we need to change the forms
accordingly.

BISOGNA
ONE NEEDS, IT’S NECESSARY

Impersonal form: the subject is unspecified.

1. Followed by infinitive
Bisogna andare al supermercato. One needs to go to the supermarket.

2. Followed by che + subjunctive

Bisogna che gli studenti studino. It’s necessary that the students study.

HO BISOGNO
I NEED

Conjugated form: the verb is conjugated according to the subject.

1. Followed by di + noun
Ho bisogno di un caffè. I need a coffee.

2. Followed by di + infinitive
Ho bisogno di comprare l’olio. I need to buy oil.

C’È BISOGNO
THERE IS (A) NEED

There is form: the c’è part means there is.

1. Followed by di + noun
C’è bisogno di sale nella pasta. There is (a) need of salt in the pasta.

2. Followed by che + subjunctive

C’è bisogno che parli. There is (a) need that she speaks.

© ITALIAN MATTERS LLC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.