How to say “should” in Italian
How to say I should do (something) The English word “should” is translated into Italian using the present conditional form of the verb dovere. This is the conjugation of “should” in Italian: SubjectConjugationEnglish TranslationiodovreiI...
The Italian “Ne”: A Simple Guide
What is “Ne” in Italian? This small word ne is one of the most challenging (and fascinating) elements of the Italian language. While it’s just a tiny word, ne is a pronoun that serves multiple purposes in Italian. It can: Teacher’s tip: Because ne doesn’t have a...
Mi manca? Mi manchi? A Guide to the Use of ‘Mancare’
If you want to say “I miss” in Italian, you should say “mi manca” and not “manco”. Why so? What does the “mi” in front stand for? Understanding the use of ‘mancare’ in Italian The mi is an indirect pronoun and it’s used because mancare...
Italian Reflexive Verbs: Step-by-Step Conjugation Guide
What’s a Reflexive Verb? Reflexive verbs (verbi riflessivi) are verbs that require a reflexive pronoun in their conjugation and their default form (the infinitive). For example: Divertirsi (to enjoy oneself): Ci divertiamo alla festa (We enjoy...
Essere and Stare: The Difference.
Are essere and stare different? Are essere and stare different? Yes. While essere means ‘to be,’ stare means both ‘to stay’ and ‘to be,’ but it is mostly used to mean ‘to stay’ or...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.