Italian Phrase
Ci servono dei separatori.
Meaning
The sentence means “We need some separators.” It is used when a group (including the speaker) requires items that separate or divide things, such as lab equipment, kitchen tools, or organizational materials.
When to use
Use this phrase in work or classroom settings when you’re asking for or stating the need for separators, for example in a chemistry lab, a kitchen, or while organizing files.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Ciservonodeiseparatori.
Pronoun “ci”
“Ci” is an indirect object pronoun meaning “to us” or “for us”. It indicates that the need applies to the speaker’s group.
Verb agreement
“Servire” conjugates as “servono” because the subject (the implied “separatori”) is plural.
Partitive article “dei”
“Dei” is the plural partitive article, equivalent to “some”. It signals an indefinite quantity.
Noun plural “separatori”
The noun must be plural to match the partitive article and the verb.
🗨In Conversation
Ci servono dei separatori per il nuovo esperimento.
We need some separators for the new experiment.
Va bene, li prendo subito dal magazzino.
Alright, I’ll get them from the storage right away.
✕Common Mistakes
Ci serve dei separatori.
“Serve” is singular; the subject is plural, so the verb must agree: “servono”.
Ci servono dei separatore.
The noun “separatore” must be plural when the article is “dei”.
Mi servono dei separatori.
Avoid using “ci” when you mean “I need”. Use “Mi serve…”.
↔Alternatives
Abbiamo bisogno di dei separatori.
We need some separators.
Ci servono dei divisori.
We need some dividers.
Ci servono dei separatori, per favore.
We need some separators, please.
Cultural Tip
In Italian, the verb “servire” can be used impersonally with “ci” to express a need for something for a group. The construction “Ci servono…” is common in professional or academic contexts, and it sounds more formal than “Abbiamo bisogno di…”.