The Italian Indefinite Article Posted by Geoff on Jan 22, 2018
Last week we looked at the six variations of the articolo determinativo (definite article). Today we’re going to turn our attention to the slightly less complex articolo indeterminativo (indefinite article). Whereas in English there are just two indefinite articles: a and an, in Italian we have three: un, uno, and una. Let’s find out how…
La Bella Addormentata – Part 2 Posted by Serena on Jan 18, 2018
Here’s part 2 of my Italian translation of the famous Grimm Brothers’ fairy tale La Bella Addormentata (Sleeping Beauty). You can read part 1 HERE. Part 2. Now the king, being desirous of saving his child even from this misfortune, gave commandment that all the spindles in his kingdom should be burnt up. The maiden grew…
How To Use The Italian Definite Article Posted by Geoff on Jan 15, 2018
Whereas English has only one definite article (the), in Italian we have six! As a new learner, this can be difficult to get to grips with, and can continue to be a problem even for more advanced learners. Let’s begin by breaking down the articolo determinativo (definite article) into its two main categories: masculine and…
La Bella Addormentata – Part 1 Posted by Serena on Jan 12, 2018
Last November, we published a translation of the traditional folk tale Cappuccetto Rosso (Little Red Riding Hood). This proved very popular, and we had requests for more of the same. So, here’s another old favourite, La Bella Addormentata (Sleeping Beauty). This was my favourite fairy tale when I was a child, it didn’t scare me…
Using The Imperative In Italian – Part 2. Posted by Geoff on Jan 9, 2018
In Using The Imperative In Italian – Part 1. we focused on how we order, invite, or urge someone to do something informally, that is to say amongst friends and family. Today we’re going to find out how we use the imperative in formal situations. To order, invite or urge someone to do something formally…
Italy … Always On Holiday? Posted by Serena on Jan 4, 2018
Despite the fact that many foreigners believe that us Italians are always on holiday, we only actually have 12 official holidays each year. Let’s find out what they are: 1. – Capodanno On the first of January we celebrate Capodanno (New Year’s Day). The name comes from capo dell’anno, literally: head of the year. Does…
Using The Imperative In Italian – Part 1. Posted by Geoff on Jan 2, 2018
L’imperativo (the imperative) is used to give orders, to invite, or to urge someone to do something. This article will help you understand how to use it in everyday situations. The imperative is only used in the presente (present tense) of the second person singular: tu (you, informal) and plural: voi (you, plural). Let’s find…