The locative pronoun (ci)

Saying "There" with Ci

When talking about a place that has already been mentioned, you can avoid repeating its name by using the locative pronoun ci (there).

there (clitic)
ci

Because ci is a clitic pronoun, it cannot stand alone. It must be placed immediately before the conjugated verb.

The newsstand is nearby, I am going there to buy the newspaper.
L'edicola è qui vicino, ci vado a comprare il giornale.
I must buy the tickets at the tobacconist. I am going there this morning.
Devo comprare i biglietti dal tabaccaio. Ci vado stamattina.

Negation with Ci

To make the sentence negative, simply place non right before ci. The word order is always non + ci + verb.

If the newsstand is closed, we are not going there.
Se l'edicola è chiusa, non ci andiamo.
The dry cleaner is far away, today I am not going there to pick up the clothes.
La lavanderia è lontana, oggi non ci vado a ritirare i vestiti.

Running Errands

ci is especially useful to avoid repetition when talking about daily errands to places like the butcher, hairdresser, pastry shop, or mechanic:

This butcher shop has the best meat, we are going there early.
Questa macelleria ha la carne migliore, ci andiamo presto.
The hairdresser is very good at cutting hair, we go there often.
Il parrucchiere è bravissimo a tagliare i capelli, ci andiamo spesso.
This pastry shop makes very good desserts. Are we going there tonight?
Questa pasticceria fa dolci buonissimi. Ci andiamo stasera?
The mechanic is free, I am taking the car there immediately.
Il meccanico è libero, ci porto subito la macchina.