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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 being involved in a game (un gioco)...
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 mentioned....
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 in comparative statementsDi...
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 hand, when...
Buon Amico or Amico Buono? Understanding Adjective Placement in Italian
One of the most common questions I receive from my students is about adjective placement in Italian. Specifically, they want to know: should I say "buon amico" or "amico buono"? The answer isn't as straightforward as you might think, because in Italian, the...
Italian Verbs with ‘DI’ and ‘A’
Di or A? It depends. In Italian, there are a number of verbs that are followed by a preposition and an infinitive verb (e.g., iniziare a fare qualcosa or finire di fare qualcosa). Because these Italian prepositions do not appear in the English equivalents of the...
Italian Definite Articles (Articoli Determinativi)
Building solid foundations is key in every foreign language you learn. Mastering the nitty-gritty of the basics will be your pathway to fluency, I promise. That’s why today we’ll cover the Italian definite articles (gli articoli determinativi) and especially when...
Italian Gerund: A Simple Guide
What is the Gerund in Italian? In Italian, the gerundio can be used in two ways. It can be used on its own or in combination with the verb stare. The gerundio is formed by combining the stems of infinitive verbs with the endings -ando (for "are" verbs) and -endo (for...