Question 1

Why do we use di cui here instead of just che?

Accepted Answer

In Italian, when a relative pronoun follows a preposition, you must use cui instead of che. Because the phrase is leggere di (to read about), the preposition di must go right before the pronoun. So, di cui translates to "about whom".

Question 2

Where is the word "about" from the English translation "the politician I am reading about"?

Accepted Answer

In English, we often leave prepositions like "about" at the very end of the sentence. In Italian, you can never leave a preposition dangling at the end. It must be moved to the middle of the sentence, directly in front of cui. That is why it becomes di cui leggo (about whom I read).

Question 3

Could I use del quale instead of di cui in this sentence?

Accepted Answer

Yes! di cui is the most common and simple way to say "about whom". But since politico is a masculine singular noun, you could also use del quale. Both are correct and mean the exact same thing here.

Question 4

Why is it del politico and not just di politico?

Accepted Answer

When you talk "about" something, you use the verb parlare di. Because you are talking about the politician, you need the definite article il. The preposition di combines with il to make the combined word del.

Question 5

Why does the translation say "I am reading" if leggo is just the normal present tense?

Accepted Answer

In Italian, the simple present tense (leggo) can translate to both "I read" and "I am reading". You don't necessarily need the continuous form (sto leggendo) unless you want to emphasize that you are in the exact middle of reading it right now.

Parlerei del politico di cui leggo oggi.

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