5. DARE DEL LEI (courtesy form)

In Italy we can both use a confidential way of speaking (TU) and a formal one (LEI); "dare del lei" to a person means using a courtesy form.

You usually use the courtesy form with people that are older than you, or that you meet for the first time, or that have a certain position in the society, or simply that you want to keep a sort of a distance with.
In order to speak in the courtesy form you simply have to use the 3rd person of the verb: LEI (SHE)
Ex.: you are really funny!
-confidential: (tu) sei molto simpatico
-courtesy:  (lei) è molto simpatico
Ex.: are you married?
-confidential: (tu) sei sposato?
-courtesy: (lei) è sposato?