Learn Hardcore Italian: Il cuscino è così soffice che quasi ci si addormenta subito. - The pillow is so soft that you almost fall asleep immediately.

The così…che construction links a quality (introduced by così + adjective) to its direct consequence (introduced by che). Here, Il cuscino è così soffice che quasi ci si addormenta subito means “The pillow is so soft that one almost falls asleep immediately.” An alternative is tanto…che, for example Il cuscino è tanto soffice che…, which works the same way.

Why is the verb addormenta in the indicative mood and not the subjunctive?

In a così…che clause expressing a real, factual result, Italian uses the indicative. The subjunctive appears after verbs or conjunctions that express doubt, desire, emotion, or hypothetical situations—which don’t apply here.

What’s the difference between soffice and morbido, and why is soffice used?

Both mean “soft,” but soffice emphasizes a plush, cushiony or spongy texture (as in pillows, cakes, etc.), whereas morbido is a more general “soft” (like leather or fabric). A pillow is naturally described as soffice to stress its fluffiness.

What does quasi add, and is its position flexible?

Quasi means “almost.” Here, quasi ci si addormenta says you almost fall asleep. You could also say Subito ci si addormenta quasi, but that shifts “almost” to modify the timing rather than the act itself. The original places quasi before the verb group to show you nearly nod off.

Why use ci si addormenta instead of si addormenta or mi addormento subito?

Addormentarsi is reflexive, so si marks “one/you/people in general fall asleep.” Ci is a locative pronoun referring back to il cuscino (“on it”). Mi addormento would be first person singular (“I fall asleep”), but the original is impersonal/general.

Aren’t ci and si redundant? How do they work together?

They serve different roles: ci means “there/on it” (referring to the pillow) and si is the reflexive pronoun for third person. Combining them as ci si addormenta is perfectly normal in Italian pronominal verbs with a locative element.

Could I say su di esso instead of ci to mean “on it”?

Technically yes—su di esso ci si addormenta—but it’s heavy and overly formal. Native speakers prefer the simple clitic ci: ci si addormenta.

Why is subito at the end, and can it be moved?

Short time adverbs like subito often follow the verb or close the sentence for emphasis. You could say Subito ci si addormenta, but that highlights timing over cause. Placing subito at the end keeps the focus on the pillow’s softness leading to instant sleep.