Dovere, avere bisogno, servire, bisogna: The Difference
In this post, I want to discuss the differences between three Italian verbs that are often confused. Each of them expresses a need in English. However, they are used in different contexts and are not interchangeable. What’s the difference between dovere,...
È stato vs. era: Which one to choose?
Passato Prossimo vs. Imperfetto of Essere in Italian If you’re learning Italian as an English speaker, you might wonder when to use “è stato/a” (or “sono stato”) versus “era” or “ero.” They all translate to “it was” or “I...
How to Say “I Should Do (Something)” in Italian
How to Say “Should” in Italian In Italian, the word “should” is expressed using the present conditional of the verb dovere (to have to, must). This is how you convey advice, recommendations, or mild obligations — just like in...
How to Use ‘CI’ and ‘NE’ in Italian
What are CI and NE in Italian? CI and NE are essential Italian particles (particelle pronominali) that native speakers use frequently to make their speech more concise and natural. CI generally means: there/here (indicating location) about it/on it...
How to Use Imperfetto and Passato Prossimo in Italian
What’s the Difference between Imperfetto and Passato Prossimo? Both the imperfetto (imperfect) and passato prossimo (present perfect) are used to describe past events in Italian. However, they are used in different contexts and convey...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.