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Italian Phrase

Ci servono anche i centrotavola.

/tʃi ˈsɛrvoːno ˈaŋke i tʃen.tro.taˈvo.la/
Meaning"We also need the centerpieces."
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Meaning

The sentence means ‘We also need the centerpieces.’ It is typically used when you are listing items required for a gathering, such as a wedding, party or banquet.

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When to use

Use this phrase when you are coordinating supplies for an event and want to add the table centerpieces to the list of things already ordered or prepared.

✦Grammar Breakdown

Ciservonoancheicentrotavola

1

Ci (indirect object pronoun)

‘Ci’ replaces ‘a noi’ and indicates that the action is needed for us.

2

Servire used impersonally

In this construction ‘servire’ means ‘to be needed’, and the verb agrees with the subject that follows.

3

Placement of ‘anche’

‘Anche’ (also) is placed after the verb to stress that the item is an addition to what has already been mentioned.

4

i centrotavola (masculine plural)

Even though it ends in –a, ‘centrotavola’ is a masculine compound noun; the plural article is ‘i’.

🗨In Conversation

A

Abbiamo già ordinato i piatti e le posate.

We have already ordered the plates and the cutlery.

Ci servono anche i centrotavola.

We also need the centerpieces.

B

✕Common Mistakes

  • Ci serviamo anche i centrotavola.

    ‘Serviamo’ means ‘we serve’, not ‘we need’. Use ‘servono’ for the impersonal ‘to be needed’.

  • Ci servono anche i centrotavoli.

    ‘Centrotavoli’ is the wrong gender; the correct noun is masculine singular ‘centrotavola’ with plural ‘i centrotavola’.

  • Anche ci servono i centrotavola.

    Placing ‘anche’ before ‘ci’ sounds unnatural; it should follow the verb: ‘Ci servono anche…’.

↔Alternatives

  • Abbiamo bisogno anche dei centrotavola.

    We also need the centerpieces.

  • Ci occorrono anche i centrotavola.

    We also need the centerpieces.

  • Servono anche i centrotavola.

    The centerpieces are also needed.

it

Cultural Tip

In Italian event planning, ‘centrotavola’ are a staple decorative element. Even though the word ends in –a, it is masculine, so you use the masculine article ‘il/ i’. Also, using ‘servire’ in the impersonal sense (e.g., ‘ci servono…’) is very common when talking about what is required for a group.