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...
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,...
Ce n’è & Ce ne sono: How to Use Them
What do ce n’è and ce ne sono mean? Both expressions translate as “there is / there are (of them)” in English. Ce n’è = there is (of it / of them) Ce ne sono = there are (of them) The little word “ne” is important. It’s a pronoun that replaces something already...
Che & Cui: What’s the Difference? (Relative Pronouns in Italian)
What is a Relative Pronoun in Italian? Before we dive into che and cui, let’s make sure we understand what a relative pronoun is. A relative pronoun connects two parts of a sentence and refers back to a noun that was already mentioned (this noun is called the...
Common expressions using ESSERE and AVERE
In Italian, the verbs essere and avere are certainly amongst the most popular ones. This is why they are widely used in many common Italian idiomatic expressions like the one following. Bear in mind that a certain number of recurring expressions use the...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.