Lasciare, Partire, Uscire, Andare via – The Difference
In this article I want to shed light on the difference in the usage of four Italian verbs that my students mix up all the time! lasciare – to leave (permanently) partire – to leave for/from uscire – to leave, to go out, to hang out andare via...
How to Use ‘Proprio’ in Italian
1. Really, just As ad adverb, proprio, meaning really. Quello studente è proprio bravo! Mi piace proprio il nuovo film di Sorrentino Sometimes proprio means ‘just’, especially when combined with the adverbs of time (adesso, ora ) or a numeral adjective Ho...
Giocare vs. Suonare (the difference with English)
The English for the verbs ‘giocare’ and ‘suonare’, is ‘to play’. The French for both, is jouer. Nevertheless, giocare and suonare in Italian come with different meanings. What’s the difference? Giocare suggests the idea of...
Understanding the use of ‘Anzi’ in Italian
What does ‘anzi’ mean? Anzi is hard to translate in English, so its meaning can throw off non-native Italian speakers. However, this adverb is very common in spoken Italian because it works as a shortcut to rephrase something previously...
Smettere vs. Fermare: What’s The Difference?
Misusing or swapping the verbs smettere and fermare is one of the most frequent errors Italian learners make, and I understand why. The confusion is driven by the fact that both verbs, in English, have only one translation:to...
Più, Di Più, In Più – When to Use Each Form
Uses of “Più” and Its Combinations The Italian word più means “more” in English. However, it can appear in several different combinations, each with its own specific usage and meaning. Different Forms of “Più” PiùMoreUsed...
7 Reasons Why Moving to Sicily Is A Brilliant Idea (2024 updated)
There are several benefits to living in Sicily, whether you are a digital nomad, a remote worker, or looking for a place with a beautiful climate all year to spend your best retirement years. I am a Sicilian native, born and raised on the island, and I have traveled...
The Polite Form in Italian: Formal and Informal You
Italian, like many other languages, has different forms of address that reflect the level of formality in a given situation. The use of “tu” is informal, and it’s typically used between friends, family members, or close acquaintances. On the other...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.