Chiamare vs. Chiamarsi
Mastering the Differences
One of the most common verbs in Italian is chiamare, but its reflexive form, chiamarsi, can sometimes cause confusion. Let’s break down their meanings, usage, and how they interact with the relative pronoun che in complex sentences.
1. Chiamare (to call)
"Chiamare" is a transitive verb, meaning it takes a direct object. It is used when you are calling someone or something by name, or literally calling (on the phone, for example).
Examples:
Io chiamo il mio amico – I call my friend.
Lei chiama il cane – She calls the dog.
2. Chiamarsi (to be called, reflexive)
"Chiamarsi" is the reflexive form of "chiamare," used when someone or something is named or referred to by a name. It translates to "to be called" in English.
Examples:
Mi chiamo Matt – My name is Matt (literally, "I call myself Matt").
Come si chiama? – What is your name?
3. Using "che" with "chiamare" or "chiamarsi"
The conjunction che (which can mean "that," "who," or "which") is commonly used in complex sentences to connect clauses. When combined with chiamare or chiamarsi, "che" helps introduce a relative clause or a dependent clause.
Examples with chiamare:
Il ragazzo che chiamo si chiama Luca – The boy that I call is named Luca.
Here, che introduces the relative clause che chiamo (that I call), and it connects it with the main clause il ragazzo (the boy).
Sto cercando la persona che chiami ogni mattina – I’m looking for the person that you call every morning.
In this case, che connects the clause che chiami (that you call) with la persona (the person).
Examples with chiamarsi:
Il mio amico, che si chiama Giovanni, vive a Roma – My friend, who is called Giovanni, lives in Rome.
Here, che introduces a non-essential relative clause che si chiama Giovanni (who is called Giovanni), providing additional information about the friend.
Lei è la cantante che si chiama Maria – She is the singer whose name is Maria (literally: "who is called Maria").
Che connects the subject la cantante (the singer) with the clause si chiama Maria (is called Maria).
Summary
✅ Chiamare is used when someone calls someone/something. ✅ Chiamarsi refers to a name or being called. ✅ Che introduces a clause that gives additional information or connects ideas, and it can be used with both chiamare and chiamarsi in sentences.
Extra Point: English vs. Italian – How Relative Clauses Work
In English, you can say:
The airport called Malpensa is now called Berlusconi.
Here, "called Malpensa" is a reduced relative clause. English often omits the relative pronoun ("that" or "which") and the auxiliary verb ("is"), simplifying the structure.
However, in Italian, the relative clause usually requires the relative pronoun che to introduce it. Italian maintains more elements of the sentence intact for clarity and structure.
✅ Italian Example:
L’aeroporto che si chiamava Malpensa ora si chiama Berlusconi.
Literal translation: "The airport that was called Malpensa is now called Berlusconi."
Why is "che" necessary in Italian?
Clarity – Italian requires relative pronouns (like "che") to clarify the connection between the subject (l’aeroporto) and the action/description (what it is or was called).
Grammar Structure – A sentence like L'aeroporto chiamato Malpensa sounds incomplete or unnatural without "che" before si chiamava. Keeping the relative pronoun ensures grammatical correctness.
Italian Avoids Reductions – Unlike English, which often omits parts of speech for simplicity, Italian maintains a fuller sentence structure.
Il ragazzo che ho visto (The boy that I saw) vs. The boy I saw (where "that" can be omitted in English).
Final Takeaway
In English, it’s correct to say “the airport called Malpensa,” but in Italian, the sentence requires che to introduce the clause properly: L’aeroporto che si chiamava Malpensa. This reflects Italian’s tendency to retain relative pronouns, ensuring a more explicit connection between the subject and the relative clause.
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