“Ho Voluto” or “Sono voluto”: Italian Modal Verbs & Passato Prossimo
What Are the Modal Verbs in Italian? The main modal verbs in Italian are: Volere – to want Potere – to be able to / can Dovere – to have to / must Conjugating modal verbs (volere, potere, dovere) with...
“Mi dispiace” or “Scusa”? The Difference Explained
Mi dispiace vs Scusa (or Scusi) Mi dispiace and scusa are two Italian expressions that often confuse native English speakers.They can both translate as “I’m sorry” in some contexts, but they are not the same and not interchangeable.They express very different meanings...
“Pensare a” vs “Pensare di”: The Difference and How to Use Them Correctly
Pensare a vs. Pensare di The verb pensare in Italian can be used with two different prepositions: “di” or “a”. These two constructions have different meanings and are not interchangeable. So when to use one or another preposition? Let’s...
“Perciò” vs. “Perché” – Cause vs. Consequence
Perché = Because (Cause) You already know this one! Ho chiamato il taxi, perché ero in ritardo.I called a cab because I was late. Non sono andata in spiaggia, perché faceva freddo.I didn’t go to the beach because it was cold. Perciò = Therefore / For That Reason / So...
“Mi è piaciuto” or “Mi ha piaciuto”? How to Use Piacere in the Passato Prossimo
The Italian Verb Piacere and the Passato Prossimo If you’ve ever hesitated between mi è piaciuto, mi ha piaciuto, or mi sono piaciuti? Piacere is one of the trickiest verbs for Italian learners, especially English speakers, because its structure is reversed compared...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.