Imperfetto vs. Passato Prossimo: A Simple Guide.
Both the imperfetto and passato prossimo are used to describe past events. However, they are used in different situations. The passato prossimo is used when the action is completed, happened once, and has a definite starting and ending point. The imperfetto,...
How to Learn Italian Fast in 3 Simple Steps
STEP 1: Set a Learning Itinerary What’s your Italian level? If you have been studying Italian for a few months or even years and you don’t know where you are at, that’s a problem. In order to make progress and learn Italian fast, you’ll need...
Andare and Venire: The Difference
For most English speakers, the verbs “go” and “come” are interchangeable or synonyms. Instead, in Italian, the verbs venire and andare are not interchangeable and have distinct meanings. What does “venire” mean? Venire means...
11 Italian Podcasts for Italian Learners
Italian Podcasts for Beginners (A1-A2) 1. Italian Podcast 101 This is a multi-level podcast developed by innovative languages. Italian Podcast101 is particularly suitable for beginners (including complete beginners) and lower-intermediate students. Why? Because each...
The Verb ‘Piacere’ in Italian: A Simple Guide
Mi piace or non piace are verbs Italians use all the time. Ti piacciono quelle scarpe? – Do you like those shoes? Non ci è piaciuto quel film – We didn’t like that movie Ti piace la cucina italiana?...
Nessuno and Niente (How to say Any, Anyone and Anything in Italian)
Nessuno/Nessuna/Nessun = (not…any) Nessuno can be used both as an indefinite adjective and as a pronoun . As an adjective, nessuno comes before a noun and is the translation of “any” in negative sentences in English. For example: Non ho nessun dubbio...
Italian Citizenship Test. All you need to know.
Due to the amendments to the Italian law in December 2018, it is now compulsory to obtain an Italian B1 language certification for all applicants for Italian citizenship through marriage or residence. Anyone applying for dual citizenship under these terms must prove...
Cils A2 Exam: A Comprehensive Guide to Help You Succeed
There are different levels of language certifications for Italian speakers. One can choose between an beginner (A1), advanced beginner/elementary (A2), lower-intermediate (B1), intermediate (B2), advanced (C1) or a mastery level (C2). The most known certifications for...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.