ELONIO
Log inSign up

Figurati, è un piacere.

Figurati, è un piacere.
Don’t mention it, it’s a pleasure.
FromLesson 57inHardcore Italian

Questions & Answers about Figurati, è un piacere.

What is figurati grammatically?
Figurati is the second-person singular informal imperative of the pronominal verb figurarsi (to imagine), with the reflexive clitic ti attached. In affirmative imperatives, clitics attach to the end (enclisis). Here it functions as a set phrase to play down thanks or reassure someone.
Why does it end in -ti?
Because it’s reflexive. Ti is the second-person singular reflexive pronoun. In the affirmative imperative, it’s attached after the verb: figura + ti → figurati. (In the negative imperative for tu, you’d use the infinitive: non figurarti.)
How do I say this formally or to more than one person?
  • Formal singular (Lei): Si figuri, è un piacere.
  • Informal plural (voi): Figuratevi, è un piacere.
  • Formal plural (Loro, rare in speech): Si figurino, è un piacere. A neutral all-purpose alternative is Prego.
Can figurati stand alone, and does è un piacere have to be there?
Either can stand alone. Figurati! by itself is a natural reply to thanks; È un piacere on its own is also common. Putting them together adds warmth/emphasis.
Is the comma required?
No. It marks a natural pause. Variants like Figurati. È un piacere. or Figurati: è un piacere. are fine. In speech you’ll pause slightly after figurati.
How do I pronounce it?
What does è with an accent mean compared to e without?
How do I type è/È?
  • Windows: è = Alt+0232, È = Alt+0200 (numeric keypad).
  • macOS: Option+` then e/E.
  • iOS/Android: long-press E and choose è or È.
  • Linux (Compose): Compose + ` + e/E.
Is piacere here a verb or a noun?
A noun. È un piacere uses piacere as a masculine noun meaning pleasure, which is why you see the article un. It’s not the verb as in mi piace.
How is È un piacere different from saying Piacere?
  • Piacere (alone) is the set phrase used when meeting someone, like Nice to meet you.
  • È un piacere expresses that doing something is/was a pleasure, often as a response to thanks.
Can I say È stato un piacere instead?
Yes. È stato un piacere (it was a pleasure) is common after the favor or interaction is over, and it sounds slightly more formal/polished.
Are there other natural ways to respond to thanks besides figurati?

Yes:

  • Prego (neutral, universal).
  • Di niente/Di nulla (informal).
  • Non c’è di che (polite, slightly old-fashioned).
  • Nessun problema (informal).
  • Ci mancherebbe (altro) (very Italian, friendly).
Can figurati sound sarcastic?
Yes. With a dismissive tone or in patterns like Figurati se…, it means as if/yeah right. Used warmly after thanks, it’s friendly and reassuring.
Is figurati interchangeable with immaginati?
No. Immaginati means imagine yourself and doesn’t work as a set reply to thanks. Figurati is the idiomatic choice.
What about figuriamoci — is that a synonym?
Not here. Figuriamoci typically means let alone or as if, used to dismiss possibilities, not to reply to thanks. Prefer figurati (informal) or Si figuri (formal).
Can I add words like ma or pure?

Yes:

  • Ma figurati! adds friendly emphasis (don’t worry about it!).
  • Figurati pure gives permission (go right ahead/by all means).
Does the word order matter? Can I say È un piacere, figurati?
Both orders are fine. Figurati, è un piacere is slightly more common; È un piacere, figurati foregrounds the pleasure, then adds a friendly tag.
Is there any regional preference for this expression?
Figurati is widely used nationwide. Alternatives like Non c’è di che (more formal, somewhat old-fashioned) or Di nulla (often heard around Rome) vary a bit by region and register, but your sentence sounds natural everywhere.
Why un and not uno before piacere?
Because piacere is a masculine noun starting with a plain consonant. Use un before most masculine nouns; uno is reserved for s+consonant, z, gn, ps, or i + vowel (e.g., uno studente, uno zio).
AI Language TutorTry it ↗
“What's the best way to learn Italian grammar?”
Italian grammar becomes intuitive with practice. Focus on understanding the core patterns first — how sentences are structured, how verbs change form, and how words relate to each other. Our course breaks these concepts into small lessons so you can build understanding step by step.

Sign up free — start using our AI language tutor

Start learning Italian

Master Italian — from Figurati, è un piacere to fluency

All course content and exercises are completely free — no paywalls, no trial periods, no signup needed.

  • ✓Infinitely deep — unlimited vocabulary and grammar
  • ✓Fast-paced — build complex sentences from the start
  • ✓Unforgettable — efficient spaced repetition system
  • ✓ AI tutor to answer your grammar questions
Start learning Italian→