60 Most Common Italian Verbs
Verbs are the core of every language because they carry the meaning or action. Conjugating verbs is the cornerstone of speaking any language. But how many verbs are there in Italian? Thousands? And how many do you actually use on a daily basis? Just a few of...
How Long Does It Take to Learn Italian?
Are you dreaming of speaking Italian? One of the first questions I’ve always gotten asked as an Italian language teacher: how long will it take? While there’s no universal answer, the time needed depends on factors like your native language, study habits, and exposure...
How to Say “To Join” in Italian
If you’re learning Italian, you might have noticed that the English verb “to join” is tricky to translate directly, as it doesn’t have just one equivalent in Italian. Instead, several options exist, each depending on the context. Here are some of the most common...
Andare, Andarsene and Andarci: The Difference
Let’s break down the differences between “me ne vado,” “vado,” and “ci vado.” Vado (andare) “Vado” means “I’m going” and is the most neutral of the three. It can stand alone when you’re simply stating that you’re going...
The Placement of Italian Pronouns in Sentences
1. What Are Pronouns? Pronouns in Italian, like in English, are little words that we use to replace a noun. These include direct and indirect object pronouns, as well as the particles “ci” and “ne,” which are also considered pronouns. PronounMeaningMime / to meTiyou /...
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 If you’re learning Italian as a native English speaker, you might be wondering when to use è stato or è stata versus era. È stato/a is the third person singular of the passato prossimo tense of the...
Mastering Italian Vocabulary: Main Uses of ‘Pure’
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...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.