Questions & Answers about Lei è orgogliosa della squadra.
Why does the sentence start with Lei? Does it mean she or you?
Lei can mean either she or you (formal), depending on context.
In this sentence, without more context, Lei è orgogliosa della squadra could mean:
- She is proud of the team
- You are proud of the team (said formally)
Italian often uses Lei as the formal singular you, especially when speaking politely to someone you do not know well.
Also, Italian often drops subject pronouns, so you might also hear:
- È orgogliosa della squadra
That can still mean She is proud of the team or You are proud of the team, depending on the situation.
Why is it orgogliosa and not orgoglioso?
Because orgogliosa is the feminine singular form of the adjective.
Italian adjectives usually agree in gender and number with the person or thing they describe.
Here are the main forms:
- orgoglioso = masculine singular
- orgogliosa = feminine singular
- orgogliosi = masculine plural
- orgogliose = feminine plural
So:
- Lui è orgoglioso = He is proud
- Lei è orgogliosa = She is proud
If Lei means formal you, the adjective still agrees with the actual gender of the person being addressed:
- to a woman: Lei è orgogliosa
- to a man: Lei è orgoglioso