What does cioè mean?
What does “cioè” mean? Cioè is one of those words that Italians frequently throw-in during a conversation. In English, cioè can take different translations, depending on the context. In any case, no matter the context, cioè is used to provide or give additional information about something previously stated. These examples will help you understand how […]
What’s The Difference Between “Dovevo & Ho Dovuto?”
What’s the Difference Between “Dovevo & Ho Dovuto?” If you ended up on this page, it’s because you wonder if there is any difference between the use of ho dovuto and dovevo,ho voluto and volevo, sapevo or ho saputo. In other words, you might have realized that there’s a difference in the meaning of certain […]
How to Use the Verb Servire in Italian
How to Use the Verb Servire in Italian What does “servire” mean? First, let’s focus on the meaning and use of servire and how it differs from the other verbs expressing need, like dovere or avere bisogno di. Servire means to need something. You ought to use servire with a noun (a thing or a person) and […]
Trovare and trovarsi: find the differences
Trovare and trovarsi: find the differences Whether you have just started your Italian learning journey or you are already a fluent Italian speaker. The moment you land in Italy, you will surely hear the Italian verb “trovare” in an array of different meanings and expressions. Let’s un unravel the mystery about this particular verb. #1 […]
Imperfetto and Passato Prossimo: the Difference
Imperfetto and Passato Prossimo: the Difference Both the imperfetto and passato prossimo are used to describe past situations. However, one is used when the action is finished, happens once, and has a time reference: the passato prossimo. The imperfetto, instead, as the name says, it is a “non-perfect” and describes an action that lasted for […]
What do “Qualsiasi” e “Chiunque” mean?
What do “Qualsiasi” e “Chiunque” mean? Qualsiasi (Any) Qualsiasi is one of those words that can often lead to confusion. In this article you will learn how to use it properly when speaking Italian. Qualsiasi is an indefinite adjective, and it is invariable: it means that it is not modifiable, in fact qualsiasi never changes […]
The Italian Gerund Explained
The Italian Gerund Form Explained There are two ways to use the gerundio in Italian. It can be used by itself or in combination with the verb “stare.” In the letter, it expresses the continuous tenses. The gerund is made by the combination of the stems of the infinite verbs and the endings –ando (for the – are verbs) and -endo (for […]
Italian pronominal verbs
9 THINGS ABOUT THE ITALIAN PRONOMINAL VERBS 1. Pronominal verbs mean “related to a pronoun” in fact, the Italian pronominal verbs are a combination of a basic verb and one or two pronouns, for instance, the verb andarsene is a combination of andare+se+ne. 2. The pronouns are joined onto the infinitive of the verb and slightly […]