Incontrare vs. Incontrarsi. The Difference Explained.
The verb incontrare (to meet) can be used with the auxiliary avere: ho incontrato and with the auxiliary essere in its reflexive form: ci siamo incontrati. One of the most recurring questions I get in my private classes is whether there’s any difference between...
È stato vs. era: Which one to choose?
Passato Prossimo vs. Imperfetto of Essere in Italian If you’re learning Italian as an English speaker, you might wonder when to use “è stato/a” (or “sono stato”) versus “era” or “ero.” They all translate to “it was” or “I...
How To Use “Pure” in Italian
What does pure mean? The word “pure,” often used in spoken Italian, has two main meanings in Italian. The first meaning is “also” or “too.” The second meaning is more nuanced and typically accompanies an action, indicating that it...
Italian Partitive Articles (How to say “some” in Italian)
What is a partitive article? Partitive articles are an essential part of the Italian language and the easiest way to translate “some” in English. Unlike in English, they change their shape depending on the noun they precede because they are a combination...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.