Learn Italian: Chi gestisce il banchetto? Lo gestisce lui. - Who is managing the stand? He is managing it.

Chi gestisce il banchetto? Lo gestisce lui.

Who is managing the stand? He is managing it.

Breakdown of Chi gestisce il banchetto? Lo gestisce lui.

lui

chi

who, whom

him/it (direct object)

gestire

to manage (a business, situation)

Questions & Answers about Chi gestisce il banchetto? Lo gestisce lui.

Why is lui at the very end of the sentence instead of the beginning?

In Italian, when you want to highlight exactly who performs an action, you place the subject pronoun after the verb. Because the first sentence asks Chi (Who), the identity of the person is the most important piece of new information. Saying Lo gestisce lui puts the spotlight firmly on lui to answer that specific question.

Why does lo come before the verb here if the subject is at the end?

lo is a direct object pronoun replacing il banchetto. These pronouns almost always go directly before a conjugated verb. Even when the subject (lui) moves to the end of the sentence for emphasis, the object pronoun stays glued to the front of the verb (gestisce).

Does banchetto mean a feast or banquet in this context?

It can mean a feast, but in everyday Italian, il banchetto is frequently used for a small stand, market stall, or information booth. Since someone is managing it (gestisce), a stand or booth makes the most sense in this context.

Could I just answer the question by saying only Lui?

Absolutely. In normal conversation, simply replying with Lui is very common and perfectly natural. Using the full phrase Lo gestisce lui just provides a complete sentence, which can sound a bit more deliberate or clear.