To form the passive voice of the verb we can use the verb (to be) Essere, (to come) Venire, (to go) Andare, or the passivating “Si“.
The passive form with the passivating “Si”.
The passive voice can be formed using the passivating “Si” instead of Essere (in every mood and tense; only in the 3rd person singular and plural; the verb agrees with the subject).
- Non si accettano carte di credito.
- Credit cards are not accepted
- Non si affittano camere.
- Rooms are not rented.
Beyond the passive meaning, Si gives the expression a sense of “impersonality”. It is constructed by prefixing the Si to the active form of the verb, at the desired tense. It is used only in the 3rd person singular and plural, which agree with the subject.
- Si legge il giornale.
- The newspaper is read.
- Si leggono i giornali.
- The newspapers are read.
- Si affittano appartamenti arredati.
- Furnished apartments are rented.
When the agent is of an impersonal, generic type, the auxiliary Essere is always used in compound tenses.
- Si è detto, si è fatto, si è scritto molto.
- Much has been said, done, and written.
- Si sono studiati tutti i libri necessari.
- All the necessary books have been studied.
- Si erano viste molte ragazze per strada.
- There were many girls seen on the street.
Even though the agent is not expressed, sometimes the context to which it refers is specified (for example: in Italy, in this family, etc.).
- In Italia si ama molto viaggiare.
- In Italy we love to travel a lot.
- In questa famiglia si spende troppo denaro.
- Too much money is spent in this family.
- In questo negozio si parla inglese.
- English is spoken in this shop.
- In questo ufficio si fanno molte ore di straordinario.
- In this office we work many hours of overtime.
- Da noi non si mangia mai la carne.
- We never eat meat here.
- Nei licei classici si studiano il latino e il greco antico.
- In classical high schools, Latin and ancient Greek are studied.
It can take on an ironic tone, when the subject of the action is deliberately not named, and one prefers to remain vague.
- Qui si batte la fiacca!
- Here’s the slack!
- Si è fatto poco, eh, oggi!
- Little has been done, eh, today!
- Si fanno troppe chiacchiere in questo ufficio!
- There’s too much talk in this office!
It can express a recommendation, a rule, especially if addressed to teenagers and children, and has the value of an imperative.
- Non si dicono le parolacce!
- Do not say the bad words!
- Si rispettano le cose degli altri!
- We respect other people’s things!