Italian grammar
Cercasi (sui cartelli) vs si cercano (quando parli)
Understand and write "wanted" notices in formal Italian notice style.
From the scene Cercasi comparse (Extras wanted)
In short
Notices glue si to the verb: cercasi comparse, affittasi camera. In speech say si cercano.
Your turn
Which one goes with staff needed (on a poster)?
Options: cercasi comparse · cercasi cane · cercasi personale
Show answer
staff needed (on a poster) → cercasi personale
How it works
Posters and small ads glue si onto the end of the verb: cercasi comparse, affittasi camera, vendesi auto.
Good to know
It's the si passivante you already know (si cercano comparse), in written notice style; in conversation people say si cercano / cercano.
Good to know
Strictly a plural takes cercansi, but almost every real ad just writes cercasi.
extras wanted (on a poster) cercasi comparse
Nuria
Guarda questo cartello. «Cercasi comparse per il film.»
Look at this poster. 'Extras wanted for the film.'
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Guarda questo cartello. «(blank) per il film.»
Options: Cercasi personale · Cercasi cane · Cercasi comparse
Show answer
Nuria
Guarda questo cartello. «Cercasi comparse per il film.»
Look at this poster. 'Extras wanted for the film.'
staff needed (on a poster) cercasi personale
Nuria
Dice anche: «Cercasi personale con esperienza.»
It also says: 'Experienced staff wanted.'
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Dice anche: «(blank) con esperienza.»
Options: Cercasi cane · Cercasi personale · Cercasi comparse
Show answer
Nuria
Dice anche: «Cercasi personale con esperienza.»
It also says: 'Experienced staff wanted.'
dog wanted (on a poster) cercasi cane
Nuria
E qui sotto: «Cercasi cane per una scena.»
And down here: 'Dog wanted for a scene.'
Your turn
What fills the gap?
E qui sotto: «(blank) per una scena.»
Options: Cercasi comparse · Cercasi personale · Cercasi cane
Show answer
Nuria
E qui sotto: «Cercasi cane per una scena.»
And down here: 'Dog wanted for a scene.'
they're looking for extras (spoken) si cercano comparse
Tomás
Catering? Ma si cercano comparse, non cuochi.
Catering? But they want extras, not cooks.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Catering? Ma (blank), non cuochi.
Options: si cercano comparse · cercasi comparse · cercasi personale
Show answer
Tomás
Catering? Ma si cercano comparse, non cuochi.
Catering? But they want extras, not cooks.
waiters are needed too (spoken) si cercano anche camerieri
Javi
Beh, si cercano anche camerieri.
Well, they also need waiters.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Beh, (blank).
Options: cercasi comparse · cercasi personale · si cercano anche camerieri
Show answer
Javi
Beh, si cercano anche camerieri.
Well, they also need waiters.
Common mistake
Not Cercato or Cercata here. Lo stile dei cartelli.
Guarda questo cartello. «Cercasi comparse per il film.»
Look at this poster. 'Extras wanted for the film.'
Practise it in the story
Meet this rule inside a short animated scene. Answer as it plays, then say the lines yourself.
Practise free in the appSee all forms
| extras wanted (on a poster) | cercasi comparse |
|---|---|
| staff needed (on a poster) | cercasi personale |
| dog wanted (on a poster) | cercasi cane |
| they're looking for extras (spoken) | si cercano comparse |
| waiters are needed too (spoken) | si cercano anche camerieri |
More lines from the story
- JaviSì... adesso lavoro nel catering delle riprese.Yes... now I work in catering for the shoot.