Question 1

Why do we use ci here instead of si?

Accepted Answer

Here, ci is a reciprocal pronoun meaning "each other". Because the subject is Io e Marco (which equals "we"), you must use the "we" form of the pronoun (ci). If the subject were just "Marco and Maria" (they), you would use si frequentano.

Question 2

Does frequentarsi always mean "to date"?

Accepted Answer

When used reciprocally between two people like this (ci frequentiamo), it usually means "to see each other" romantically or "to date". If you use the non-reflexive verb frequentare with a place, like frequentare un bar, it just means to hang out there often.

Question 3

The translation says "have been dating", so why does the Italian sentence use the present tense frequentiamo?

Accepted Answer

In Italian, when an action started in the past but is still happening right now, you use the present tense plus the preposition da (for/since). Because you and Marco are still dating today, you literally say "we date each other for a month".

Question 4

In English, it's considered polite to put yourself last ("Marco and I"). Is Io e Marco acceptable in Italian?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely! In Italian, saying io first is extremely common and doesn't sound rude at all. You can say Marco ed io, but io e Marco is what you will hear most often in everyday casual conversation.

Io e Marco ci frequentiamo da un mese.

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