The verb bisognare can be tricky an can be troublesome for Italian students… for this reason in today’s lesson we have decided to make clear how and when it is used, once and for all.
How to use BISOGNARE
In Italian the verb “bisognare” is impersonal: this means that can be only used with the third person singular.
For this reason sentences like Io bisogno aiuto or Voi bisognate studiare are totally wrong.
In this case it would be appropriate to use the verb NECESSITARE DI (+ sostantivo (noun) /infinito (infinitive))
Io necessito di aiuto. (I need help)
Voi necessitate di studiare. (You need to study)
Find out how to use the verbs METTERCI and VOLERCI!
One place to learn Italian
Join the LearnAmo AcademyThe verb BISOGNARE, instead, has two main forms:
1. BISOGNA + infinitive → used to talk generally, to refer to everybody
Per godersi un film al cinema bisogna mangiare i pop-corn! (To enjoy a movie at the you need to eat some popcorn)
2. BISOGNA CHE + subjunctive → used to refer to a particular subject
Se ti fa male il dente, bisogna che tu vada dal dentista! (If you’ve got toothache, you need to go to the dentist)
But there is an alternative:
AVER BISOGNO DI + sostantivo / infinito → in this case the verb is “avere“ (to have) that can be conjugated with any person.
Ho bisogno di fare una passeggiata: ho studiato troppo! (I need to go for a walk: I’ve studied too much!)
Ho bisogno di qualche minuto per finire il lavoro. (I need some time to finish the work)
ANDARE or VENIRE? Discover the differences!
Want the lesson PDF with exercises and solutions?
Join the LearnAmo AcademyLet’s see if you’ve mastered the contents of this class. Have a go at completing the exercises!
Caricamento quiz in corso…
The content you have posted is spectacular. Well done! However, the audio quality is really poor. The sound levels change drastically and, in the case of this lesson, there is too much natural echo in the room. Unfortunately, this makes it very difficult to concentrate on the lesson! I hope you can find someone to help you improve the audio problems in your lessons because everything else you are doing is fantastic!
avrei dovuto dire “mi serve”
Ora comprendo Bisogna! Ma che dire “mi servo” ? Voul anche dire “I need” ? Saluti.