Italiano — Article with names and titles

When you talk about someone using a title — il signor Rossi, la signora Bianchi — Italian puts the definite article before the title. But when you address that person directly, the article disappears: Buongiorno, signor Rossi.

How it works

✓ Rule

A title before a surname takes the definite article when you speak about the person: il signor Rossi è in ritardo, la professoressa Verdi insegna qui. The article also appears before the surnames of famous people, especially artists: la Callas, il Manzoni. In direct address, drop the article and use only the title: Buongiorno, signor Rossi; Grazie, professoressa.

Examples

Article present vs. dropped
Context	Italian	Article?
Speaking about a man with a title	Il signor Rossi è arrivato.	yes — il
Speaking about a woman with a title	La professoressa Verdi insegna qui.	yes — la
Addressing the person directly	Buongiorno, signor Rossi!	no
Addressing with title only	Grazie, professoressa!	no
Famous woman by surname	La Callas cantava divinamente.	yes — la
Famous man by surname	Il Manzoni scrisse i Promessi Sposi.	yes — il
First name alone	Maria è partita ieri.	no

Good to know

⚠ Note

A first name on its own normally takes no article in standard Italian — say Maria è partita, not la Maria è partita (the article before first names, il Marco, la Giulia, is regional/colloquial, common in the North). The article also drops after come and di: nome come Callas, il ruolo di signora Bianchi is different from citing the person. Watch the gender of the title, not the person: il signor but la signora, il professore but la professoressa.