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.
9 Best Italian Books for Beginners
I'm firmly convinced that learning, especially for adults, should be structured. In my private classes, I’ve always used a blend of three types of books for learning Italian: a textbook for clear, level-by-level guidance; a solid grammar book (ideally in your native...
How to Use “Quale” in Italian
What does "Quale" mean in Italian? In Italian, quale means which or sometimes what, and it’s used when you're choosing between specific people or things. If you're ever asking someone to pick from options or give precise information, quale is the word you need. Forms...
How to Learn Italian (or Any Other Language) Effectively: What You Might Be Doing Wrong—and How to Fix It
I’ve Been There, I Get It. I’ve been teaching Italian for over a decade and have worked with thousands of learners. And while the internet is overflowing with “the best methods,” honestly? I keep seeing the same problems show up again and again. Most...
How to Use “Ogni” in Italian:
What Does "Ogni" Mean? Ogni is a small but essential word in Italian. It means "every" or "each." It never changes form — it stays the same regardless of gender or number. Even though its meaning is plural, ogni is always followed by a singular noun. This is one of...
What does “ciò” mean in Italian?
The meaning of ciò Ciò is a pronoun used to refer to an idea, fact, or action that was previously mentioned or understood from the context. In English, it often translates as: what (at the beginning of a statement) that which this / that (when referring to a...
Anche se vs. Nonostante: How to Use Them
Anche se vs. Nonostante: Do they mean the same thing? Yes... but not quite! In Italian, anche se and nonostante are conjunctions used to express concession—that is, something that goes against what we might expect. They can all be translated...
How to Use the Italian Subjunctive (Congiuntivo)
What is the Subjunctive? The Italian subjunctive, or congiuntivo, is a verb mood used to talk about thoughts, feelings, doubts, wishes, and anything that isn’t 100% certain. It’s how Italians express the “what ifs”, “I hope”, and “I’m not...
How to Say “How much” in Italian
In Italian, “how much” and “how many” are expressed with the words quanto, quanta, quanti, and quante. The form you use depends on the gender (masculine or feminine) and number (singular or plural) of the noun you’re referring to. Let’s break it down together, step by...
Da vs. Per: The Difference in Italian
"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...
Italian Clothing Verbs: Mettersi, Vestirsi, Vestire or Indossare?
In this article, I'll explain the differences between five common Italian verbs related to clothing: mettersi, vestirsi, vestire, indossare, and portare. These verbs are not interchangeable! Many students confuse these verbs because they all relate to wearing clothes,...
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