“Da” and “Per” are two tiny prepositions that can be tricky to master. While both can sometimes be translated as “for” in English, they serve different functions in Italian depending on context.
When to Use “Da”
Although often translated as “from”, “da” covers a variety of meanings:
1) Origin or provenance = from
- Vengo da Milano. (I come from Milan.)
Use “da” when talking about where someone or something comes from.
2) Duration in time = for, since
- Studio italiano da due anni. (I’ve been studying Italian for two years.)
- Abito a Milano da gennaio. (I’ve been living in Milan since January.)
✅ Tip: In Italian, the present tense is often used with “da” to describe actions that started in the past and are still happening — even when English uses the present perfect.
❌ Common mistake: Don’t use “per” here. English speakers often translate too literally!
3) Destination towards a person = to, at the place of
- Vado dal medico. (I’m going to the doctor.)
- Andiamo da Luca. (We’re going to Luca’s place.)
Forms of “da” change depending on the person:
- dal = masculine singular
- dalla = feminine singular
- dai/dalle = plural
✅ Use “da” when the destination is a person or someone’s home/workplace — not “a”!
4. Function or Purpose → used for
- Occhiali da sole (Sunglasses)
- Camera da letto (Bedroom)
- Scarpe da tennis (Tennis shoes)
📌 Best tip: Memorize them — there’s no formula for knowing when to use “da” here.
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When to Use “Per” in Italian
“Per” typically translates to “for,” but appears in various contexts:
1) Purpose or intention (to, in order to)
- Studio italiano per viaggiare in Italia. (I’m studying Italian to travel in Italy.)
- Risparmio per comprare casa. (I’m saving to buy a house.)
Use “per” to explain why you’re doing something or who it’s for.
💡 It’s always followed by an infinitive verb when expressing intention.
2) Duration (when expressing how long something lasts)
- Rimango a Roma per una settimana. (I’m staying in Rome for a week.)
- Abbiamo parlato per due ore. (We talked for two hours.)
Use “per” when you’re referring to the length of a completed or future events.
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