Phrase in 30 Seconds
Use 'essere in comune' to describe shared traits, interests, or physical spaces between two or more people or things.
- Means: To be shared or held jointly by multiple parties.
- Used in: Describing friendships, family resemblances, or shared apartment facilities.
- Don't confuse: 'In comune' (shared) with 'il Comune' (the town hall/municipality).
Explanation at your level:
Meaning
Sharing interests or traits.
Cultural Background
In many historic Italian cities, students and young workers live in 'appartamenti condivisi'. The phrase 'in comune' is vital for navigating house rules regarding the 'spazi in comune' (common spaces). Italians place high value on lineage. Finding traits 'in comune' with ancestors is a way of reinforcing family bonds and identity. The word 'Comune' also means 'Town Hall'. Be careful: 'Vado in Comune' means 'I am going to the town hall', while 'Abbiamo un segreto in comune' means 'We share a secret'. Finding 'punti in comune' is a standard social lubricant in Italy. It is considered warmer and more engaging than just asking factual questions.
The 'In' is Key
Always remember the 'in'. Without it, 'comune' just means 'ordinary' or 'municipality'.
No Plurals
Never say 'in comuni'. The phrase is a fixed adverbial block.
The 'In' is Key
Always remember the 'in'. Without it, 'comune' just means 'ordinary' or 'municipality'.
No Plurals
Never say 'in comuni'. The phrase is a fixed adverbial block.
Use with 'Niente'
To say you are completely different, use 'Non abbiamo niente in comune'. It's very idiomatic.
Resemblance
Use it to compliment people on family resemblances; it's seen as very friendly.
Test Yourself
Fill in the missing preposition and word to complete the phrase.
Io e mio cugino abbiamo la passione per il cinema ___ _______.
The standard idiom is 'in comune'.
Which sentence correctly describes a shared bathroom?
Come si dice 'The bathroom is shared'?
'In comune' describes the state of being shared.
Complete the dialogue between two people on a date.
A: 'Mi piace molto viaggiare in Asia.' B: 'Anche a me! _______ _______ _______ _______!'
This is the most natural way to respond to a shared interest.
Match the phrase to the situation.
Situation: Two business partners decide to combine their money for an investment.
'Mettere in comune' means to pool or share resources.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
In Comune vs. Comune
Practice Bank
5 exercisesIo e mio cugino abbiamo la passione per il cinema ___ _______.
The standard idiom is 'in comune'.
Come si dice 'The bathroom is shared'?
'In comune' describes the state of being shared.
A: 'Mi piace molto viaggiare in Asia.' B: 'Anche a me! _______ _______ _______ _______!'
This is the most natural way to respond to a shared interest.
Situation: Two business partners decide to combine their money for an investment.
'Mettere in comune' means to pool or share resources.
🎉 Score: /5
Frequently Asked Questions
12 questionsYes, 'avere in comune' is actually more frequent when talking about people sharing things. 'Essere in comune' is used when the thing itself is the subject (e.g., 'Il bagno è in comune').
No, it is invariable. 'La passione (fem) è in comune', 'Il libro (masc) è in comune'.
It is neutral. You can use it with your best friend or your boss.
'Condiviso' is the past participle of 'condividere' (shared). It's more of an adjective. 'In comune' is a prepositional phrase. They are often interchangeable.
Absolutely. You can have ideas, dreams, or even problems in comune.
Say 'Abbiamo molto in comune'.
Say 'Non abbiamo niente in comune'.
No, it can be a noun (Town Hall) or an adjective (common/ordinary). 'In comune' uses it in a prepositional phrase.
Yes, it can be used for any number of people or things.
No, 'in città' means in the city. 'In Comune' (capitalized) means at the town hall.
Yes, for example 'minimo comune multiplo' (least common multiple).
It means to pool resources or share something for the first time.
Related Phrases
condividere
synonymTo share
mettere in comune
builds onTo pool resources
punti di contatto
similarPoints of contact
andare d'accordo
similarTo get along
mal comune, mezzo gaudio
specialized formA shared trouble is half a joy
Where to Use It
First Date
Luca: Amo follemente i film di Tarantino.
Giulia: Davvero? Anche io! Abbiamo proprio molto in comune!
Booking a Hostel
Turista: La camera ha il bagno privato?
Receptionist: No, mi dispiace, il bagno è in comune con l'altra stanza.
Job Interview
Intervistatore: Perché vorrebbe lavorare con noi?
Candidato: Credo che la mia visione e i valori dell'azienda abbiano molto in comune.
Family Gathering
Zia: Guarda Paolo, hai lo stesso sorriso di tuo padre!
Paolo: Sì, è l'unica cosa che abbiamo in comune!
Solving a Math Problem
Professore: Quali sono i divisori in comune tra 12 e 18?
Studente: Il 2, il 3 e il 6, professore.
Roommate Meeting
Marta: Dobbiamo comprare il detersivo per i piatti.
Leo: Mettiamo i soldi in comune e facciamo una spesa unica?
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of a 'Commune' (Comune) where everyone shares everything. 'In comune' means you are 'in the sharing zone'.
Visual Association
Imagine two overlapping circles (a Venn diagram). The shaded area in the middle is the 'in comune' section where both circles meet.
Rhyme
Se un interesse abbiamo in comune, siamo amici sotto la luna.
Story
Marco and Sofia meet at a café. Marco loves jazz; Sofia loves jazz. Marco has a red car; Sofia has a red car. They realize they have 'molto in comune' and decide to 'mettere in comune' (pool) their lives together.
In Other Languages
In Spanish, it's 'tener en común'. In French, 'avoir en commun'. The structure is very similar across Romance languages, making it easy for those learners.
Word Web
Challenge
Find a partner or a friend today and list 5 things you have 'in comune' using the phrase 'Abbiamo... in comune'.
Review this phrase on day 1, 3, and 7. Focus on the preposition 'in'—it's the part students forget most often.
Pronunciation
Stress on the first 'e'.
Short 'i' sound.
Stress on the 'u'.
Formality Spectrum
Condividiamo i medesimi interessi professionali. (General similarity)
Abbiamo molti interessi in comune. (General similarity)
Ci piacciono le stesse cose. (General similarity)
Siamo sulla stessa lunghezza d'onda. (General similarity)
From the Latin 'communis', meaning shared by all or many. It combines 'cum' (with) and 'munus' (gift/duty).
Fun Fact
The word 'Communist' and 'Communication' both share the same root as 'in comune'!
Cultural Notes
In many historic Italian cities, students and young workers live in 'appartamenti condivisi'. The phrase 'in comune' is vital for navigating house rules regarding the 'spazi in comune' (common spaces).
“Dobbiamo pulire le zone in comune ogni sabato.”
Italians place high value on lineage. Finding traits 'in comune' with ancestors is a way of reinforcing family bonds and identity.
“Hai il carattere in comune con tuo nonno, sei testardo!”
The word 'Comune' also means 'Town Hall'. Be careful: 'Vado in Comune' means 'I am going to the town hall', while 'Abbiamo un segreto in comune' means 'We share a secret'.
“Devo andare in Comune per la carta d'identità.”
Finding 'punti in comune' is a standard social lubricant in Italy. It is considered warmer and more engaging than just asking factual questions.
“È stato bello scoprire quanti interessi abbiamo in comune.”
Conversation Starters
Cosa abbiamo in comune noi due?
Quali sono i punti in comune tra la cultura italiana e la tua?
Pensi che sia necessario avere molto in comune per essere amici?
Quali tratti del carattere hai in comune con i tuoi genitori?
Common Mistakes
Abbiamo molto di comune.
Abbiamo molto in comune.
L1 Interference
Abbiamo molte cose comuni.
Abbiamo molte cose in comune.
L1 Interference
Siamo in comune.
Abbiamo qualcosa in comune.
L1 Interference
Abbiamo interessi in comuni.
Abbiamo interessi in comune.
L1 Interference
In Other Languages
tener en común
Virtually no difference in usage.
avoir en commun
French uses 'en' instead of 'in'.
gemeinsam haben
German lacks the 'in' prepositional structure.
共通点がある (kyōtsūten ga aru)
Focuses on 'points' rather than a state of being 'in common'.
بينهما قاسم مشترك (baynahuma qasim mushtarak)
Uses more formal, descriptive nouns.
有共同点 (yǒu gòngtóng diǎn)
Uses 'gòngtóng' as an adjective meaning 'together/common'.
공통점이 있다 (gongtongjeomi itda)
Grammatically structured as 'Common point exists'.
ter em comum
No major difference.
Spotted in the Real World
“Abbiamo troppe cose in comune per non stare insieme.”
A pop song about a couple realizing how similar they are.
“Cosa abbiamo in comune noi, a parte le cene?”
A group of friends questioning their deep connections during a dinner party.
“I due leader hanno trovato punti in comune sulla politica estera.”
A report on a diplomatic meeting.
“Ma che c'entri tu con lui? Non avete niente in comune!”
A character questioning a friend's romantic choice.
Easily Confused
Learners think it means 'to go in common'.
If 'Comune' is capitalized or has an article, it refers to the Town Hall building.
Thinking it means 'in a shared way'.
'Comunemente' means 'usually' or 'commonly', not 'shared'.
Frequently Asked Questions (12)
Yes, 'avere in comune' is actually more frequent when talking about people sharing things. 'Essere in comune' is used when the thing itself is the subject (e.g., 'Il bagno è in comune').
usage contextsNo, it is invariable. 'La passione (fem) è in comune', 'Il libro (masc) è in comune'.
grammar mechanicsIt is neutral. You can use it with your best friend or your boss.
basic understanding'Condiviso' is the past participle of 'condividere' (shared). It's more of an adjective. 'In comune' is a prepositional phrase. They are often interchangeable.
comparisonsAbsolutely. You can have ideas, dreams, or even problems in comune.
usage contextsSay 'Abbiamo molto in comune'.
practical tipsSay 'Non abbiamo niente in comune'.
practical tipsNo, it can be a noun (Town Hall) or an adjective (common/ordinary). 'In comune' uses it in a prepositional phrase.
grammar mechanicsYes, it can be used for any number of people or things.
usage contextsNo, 'in città' means in the city. 'In Comune' (capitalized) means at the town hall.
common mistakesYes, for example 'minimo comune multiplo' (least common multiple).
usage contextsIt means to pool resources or share something for the first time.
usage contexts
