French Phrase
E là, sono?
Meaning
Literally, “And there, am I?” It is used when the speaker points to a place and asks for confirmation that they are indeed at that spot, or when they wonder if something (people, objects) is present there.
When to use
Use this phrase when you are looking at a map, a photo, or a real‑world location and you want to verify your position or the presence of something at that spot. It’s informal and works best in casual conversation.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Elàsono?
Conjunction E
E means 'and' in Italian. It links two ideas or clauses together.
Adverb là
Là indicates a location that is farther from the speaker, similar to 'there' in English.
Verb essere – sono
Sono is the first‑person singular present of essere, meaning 'I am'. In questions it can also be understood as the third‑person plural 'they are' depending on context.
Question mark
In spoken Italian the intonation rises at the end; the written '?' signals a question.
🗨In Conversation
Guarda la foto del parco. E là, sono?
Look at the photo of the park. And there, am I?
Sì, sei proprio accanto alla fontana.
Yes, you’re right next to the fountain.
✕Common Mistakes
Et là, sono?
‘Et’ is French; the correct Italian conjunction is ‘E’.
E là, sono?
While ‘là’ is understood, native speakers usually prefer ‘lì’ for ‘there’ in casual speech.
E là, sono?
If you mean ‘are they?’, you need ‘sono’ with a plural subject, not a first‑person question.
↔Alternatives
Sono qui?
Am I here?
Lì, sono?
There, am I?
Sono lì?
Am I there?
Cultural Tip
In Italian, pointing with your finger is considered rude in many regions. Instead, use your whole hand or a nod when you ask “E là, sono?” while indicating a place. Also, remember that “là” is more formal than the colloquial “lì”, which is used more often in everyday speech.