Italian Basics
Italian Basics
They say you can’t build a great building on a weak foundation. I tell you can’t become a fluent Italian speaker on weak foundations. That’s why I am gathering on this page my best articles for beginners learners of Italian (the page is not under construction yet).
Some students are scared by grammar.
Instead, I say to my students that knowing a little grammar can be a fantastic shortcut to optimal Italian fluency.
Why memorize words, sentences, or even whole dialogues if you can learn one rule and apply it endless times?
That’s all it takes to become undefended and smart Italian language learners.
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...
How to Say “I Would Like” in Italian
Vorrei vs. Mi Piacerebbe: What's the Difference? In Italian, there are two common ways to say “I would like”: "vorrei" and "mi piacerebbe." While both can be translated as "I would like" in English, they are used in slightly different contexts. Here's how to...
How To Say “Let’s Go” in Italian
How To Say "Let's" in Italian Oftentimes, I get asked in my private Italian classes how to say “let's” in Italian. The thing is, let's doesn’t have a direct Italian equivalent. Let’s see why. In Italian, let's is expressed by using the first-person plural of the...
The Italian “Ci”: A Simple Guide
The use of ci can be tricky because in Italian, we use this one small word in various ways, each with different English equivalents. So, the particle "ci" doesn’t have a single fixed meaning; its meaning changes depending on the context. As with many challenging...
60 Most Common Italian Verbs
Verbs are the core of every language because they carry the meaning or action. Conjugating verbs is the cornerstone of speaking any language. But how many verbs are there in Italian? Thousands? And how many do you actually use on a daily basis? Just a few of...
How Long Does It Take to Learn Italian?
Are you dreaming of speaking Italian? One of the first questions I’ve always gotten asked as an Italian language teacher: how long will it take? While there’s no universal answer, the time needed depends on factors like your native language, study habits, and exposure...
How to Say “To Join” in Italian
If you're learning Italian, you might have noticed that the English verb “to join” is tricky to translate directly, as it doesn’t have just one equivalent in Italian. Instead, several options exist, each depending on the context. Here are some of the most common ways...
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 somewhere, without further details, or it’s used...
The Placement of Italian Pronouns in Sentences
1. What Are Pronouns? Pronouns in Italian, like in English, are little words that we use to replace a noun. These include direct and indirect object pronouns, as well as the particles “ci” and “ne,” which are also considered pronouns. PronounMeaningMime / to meTiyou /...
Incontrare vs. Incontrarsi. The Difference Explained.
The verb incontrare (to meet) can be used with the auxiliary avere: ho incontrato and with the auxiliary essere in its reflexive form: ci siamo incontrati. One of the most recurring questions I get in my private classes is whether there’s any difference between...
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