“Basta,” “Mi Basta,” and “Abbastanza”: What’s the Difference?
If you’re learning Italian, you’ve probably heard the words basta, abbastanza, or mi basta. They look and sound similar, but they actually have different meanings and uses. 1. What Does “Basta” Mean in Italian? The...
“Ho Voluto” or “Sono voluto”: Italian Modal Verbs & Passato Prossimo
What Are the Modal Verbs in Italian? The main modal verbs in Italian are: Volere – to want Potere – to be able to / can Dovere – to have to / must Conjugating modal verbs (volere, potere, dovere) with...
“Ho voluto” vs. “Volevo”: What’s the Difference?
“Ho voluto” or “Volevo”? (I wanted) Some Italian verbs change meaning depending on whether they’re used in the passato prossimo or the imperfetto. These verbs include: dovere, volere, potere, and conoscere. In this article, we’ll focus on just...
“Mi dispiace” or “Scusa”? The Difference Explained
Mi dispiace vs Scusa (or Scusi) Mi dispiace and scusa are two Italian expressions that often confuse native English speakers.They can both translate as “I’m sorry” in some contexts, but they are not the same and not interchangeable.They express very different meanings...About
Ciao! I'm Serena, and I'm the creator of Smart Italian Learning. I am the head teacher of a small language school. We offer online, in-person and video courses for Italian learners, with a focus on adult English native speakers. Our courses are based on our passion for teaching and our experience as long-term adult language learners. You can meet us online, or in person in Rome.