by Serena | Dec 9, 2023 | Italian grammar, beginners, intermediate
Piacere is one of the first verbs my students want to use, because it’s how you talk about food, music, places and people. It’s also the one that confuses them most: in English you like something, while in Italian something is pleasing to you. Once that...
by Serena | Dec 8, 2023 | Italian grammar, parole difficili
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...
by Serena | Dec 8, 2023 | Italian grammar, vocabulary
Anzi is one of those little Italian words that doesn’t have a one-to-one translation in English, and that’s why it confuses so many learners. Yet Italians use it all the time, especially when speaking: it’s a quick way to correct yourself, contradict...
by Serena | Dec 8, 2023 | Italian grammar, advanced
Più, di più, in più, non… più: four little combinations, one little word. My students often ask me why Italians say studio di più but più frutta, or what in più really means. Here’s a clear guide, with real examples and the expressions you’ll hear...
by Serena | Dec 8, 2023 | Italian grammar, beginners
How to Say “You” in Italian: Tu vs Lei Explained 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...
by Serena | Dec 8, 2023 | Italian grammar, advanced
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,...
