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Mi Piace! – Part 2. Posted by Geoff on May 14, 2018
In Mi Piace! – Part 1. I wrote: “In Italian it’s not the person that does the liking, but the thing that pleases the person”. Today we’ll find out why it’s so important to understand this basic concept. Insisting on translating ‘mi piace‘ as ‘I like it’ is fine if you never intend to move beyond…
Mi Piace! – Part 1. Posted by Geoff on May 7, 2018
In my last couple of articles we’ve been focusing on pronomi personali indiretti (indirect personal pronouns). Today, we’ll put what we’ve learnt into practice with the important verb piacere (to please). You won’t get far in Italy without the verb piacere: Ti piace l’Italia? (Do you like Italy?) you’ll be asked, and hopefully you’ll reply…
A Bit More About Indirect Personal Pronouns Posted by Geoff on Apr 30, 2018
In my last blog we explored the basic functionality of pronomi personali indiretti. Today we’re going to see how the forme atone combine themselves with other pronouns or verbs. Let’s begin by revising the forme atone: mi = to me ti = to you (singular) gli = to him le = to her ci =…
Italian Indirect Personal Pronouns Posted by Geoff on Apr 23, 2018
Pronomi personali indiretti are really not as complicated as they sound once you’ve understood the basics of how they work. To Whom? Put simply, indirect personal pronouns answer the question ‘to whom?’ (a chi?) For example: a chi hai dato il libro? = to whom did you give the book? ho dato il libro a…
Fare Pena Posted by Geoff on Apr 18, 2018
Important: The following blog is guaranteed 100% boot free! Yep, after two weeks of following Le Avventure Di Uno Scarpone I feel it’s time to move on to new, hitherto unexplored territories. Hence today I’ll be beginning a ten week mini-series based on the life of a sock. Only joking! 😉 If it were true…
Al Mare, Part 2 – (Le Avventure Di Uno Scarpone) Posted by Geoff on Apr 13, 2018
You can find ‘Al Mare, Part 1’ here. Story by Geoff with Italian translation by Serena We reach the little hamlet of Montemarcello, the ubiquitous bar is located, coffee, focaccia and other nice things are ordered, and I take a well deserved rest with my brother Lefty, beneath the table out in the piazza. After…
Al Mare – (Le Avventure Di Uno Scarpone) Posted by Geoff on Apr 10, 2018
Isn’t it about time our boot stopped gazing romantically at cute little blue shoes, got off his shelf, and did a bit of walking? you may ask. And you’d be right! After all, this is chapter 3 and so far 46R hasn’t taken a step. What kind of a boot story is this anyway? Note…