Grasp 9 Essential Italian Prepositions + Ideas for Utilizing Articulated Prepositions
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Studying Italian prepositions is a key milestone in your journey towards fluency. These small however mighty phrases are important for expressing relationships between objects, locations, and other people.
Italian prepositions may appear difficult since their that means and makes use of typically differ from English. We’ll break down the several types of prepositions in Italian, their pronunciations, and the way they mix with articles—a novel characteristic of Italian that usually challenges English audio system.
What are Italian prepositions?
Prepositions are among the many first issues to review once you study Italian. Italian prepositions are important phrases used earlier than nouns, adjectives, pronouns, adverbs, and infinitive verbs to attach them and set up relationships between them inside a sentence.
Italian prepositions are invariable, that means they don’t change type, and are sometimes only one or two letters lengthy—just like English prepositions like “of,” “to,” or “in.”
Not like in English, Italian prepositions can merge with particular articles. And these combos will range relying on the gender (female or masculine) and quantity (singular or plural) of the phrase they precede.
Kinds of Italian prepositions
Italian prepositions are divided into two fundamental sorts: preposizioni semplici (easy prepositions) and preposizioni articolate (articulated prepositions).
Different phrases in Italian grammar can typically be thought-about prepositions relying on the context. These phrases are sometimes adjectives or adverbs like dietro (behind), vicino (close to), and vicino a (near).
Preposizioni semplici (easy prepositions) in Italian
The preposizioni semplici (easy prepositions) embrace the 9 primary prepositions utilized in Italian.
| Italian Preposition | Pronunciation | English Translation |
| di | dee | of/from |
| a | ah | to/at/in |
| da | dah | from/by/for/at |
| in | een | in/by/to |
| con | cone | with |
| su | soo | on/about |
| per | pair | for/by |
| tra | trah | between |
| fra | frah | amongst |
These quick phrases are elementary constructing blocks in sentences. Consider them as connectors that form the sentence, identical to puzzle items becoming collectively—relying on the preposition you employ, the entire image modifications!
- Siamo appena tornati a Pisa. = We simply bought again to Pisa.
- Siamo appena tornati da Pisa. = We simply bought again from Pisa.
Begin by mastering the straightforward prepositions, and also you’ll be capable to type articulated prepositions logically. For those who need assistance understanding which prepositions to make use of in a particular scenario, setup a Rosetta Stone tutoring session with an skilled Italian speaker to concentrate on this matter.
Di (of/from/possessive ‘s)
The preposition di means “of/from” and may change the possessive apostrophe + “s” in English. It’s one of the vital versatile prepositions in Italian, and also you’ll use it in a variety of sentences.
Di can be utilized to:
- point out possession or belonging:
- la macchina di Marco = Marco‘s automotive
- il libro di Anna = Anna‘s e book
- describe a fabric:
- Passami una bottiglia di plastica. = Give me a plastic bottle. (Give me a bottle of plastic.)
- specify a topic:
- Questo è un libro di storia. = This can be a e book of historical past.
- inform the town somebody or one thing is from:
- Sono di New York. = I’m from New York.
- i famosi limoni di Napoli = the well-known lemons of Naples
- specify age (when referring to the current):
- un bambino di tre anni = a three-year-old youngster (a baby of three years)
- point out a.m. or p.m.:
- alle sette di sera = at seven within the night (at seven of the night)
Tip: Whereas di exhibits possession, da refers back to the origin or motion from a spot to a different.
- Sono di New York. = I’m from New York.
- Arrivo da New York. = I got here from New York.
A (to/at/in)
The preposition a additionally signifies location and time, however its that means differs from di.
Use a to:
- point out location:
- Sono a casa. = I’m at residence.
- La statua della Libertà si trova a New York. = The Statue of Liberty is situated in New York Metropolis.
- point out motion towards a location (typically cities):
- Domani andrò a Milano. = Tomorrow I’m going to Milan.
- Andiamo a casa tua! = Let’s go to your own home.
- point out the recipient of an motion:
- Ho dato le chiavi a Mark. = I gave the keys to Mark.
- point out months and particular occasions of the day:
- A giugno inizia l’property. = Summer time begins in June.
- Ci vedremo a mezzogiorno. = We’ll meet at midday.
- specify age (when referring to the previous):
- Ha dipinto il quadro a vent’anni. = He painted the image in his 20s.
Tip: Have you ever ever puzzled the distinction between Vado a casa (I’m going residence.) and Vado in casa (I’m going into the home.)? Understanding these delicate variations in Italian prepositions will enable you sound extra like a local!
Da (from/by/for/at)
The preposition da can categorical concepts associated to motion and length in time. It additionally clarifies who’s doing the motion in passive sentences.
Use da to explain:
- the place one thing or somebody is coming from:
- Siamo appena tornati da Pisa. = We simply bought again from Pisa.
- location (referring to an individual’s place):
- La festa è da Marco. = The celebration is at Marco’s.
- length of an motion:
- Vivo qui da cinque anni. = I’ve lived right here for 5 years.
- the agent in passive sentences:
- Il quadro è stato dipinto da un artista italiano. = The portray was painted by an Italian artist.
In (in/by/to)
Use in to pinpoint areas—particularly for nations, areas, or giant areas. It’s the go-to preposition when speaking about actually giant locations.
- Sono andato in Italia quest’property. = I went to Italy this summer time.
- Adesso vivo in Italia. = I reside in Italy now.
- Lavoro in ufficio. = I work in the workplace.
Tip: To determine whether or not to make use of in, ask your self if the place will be bodily entered. If the reply is sure, then in is the suitable alternative.
You may also use in to:
- describe transportation:
- Viaggio sempre in treno. = I all the time journey by prepare.
- point out seasons and components of the day:
- in inverno = in winter
- Preferisco studiare in mattinata. = I want to review in the morning.
- specify supplies:
- un monumento in cemento = a concrete monument (a monument of concrete)
Con (with)
The preposition con could be the most just like its English counterpart, “with.”
Use con to:
- point out companionship (earlier than a given title):
- Vado al cinema con Maria. = I’m going to the flicks with Maria.
- clarify how one thing is completed (method):
- Parla con entusiasmo. = She speaks with enthusiasm.
Su (on/about)
The preposition su can be similar to English, because it’s used like “on” to clarify the place “on high of one thing.” it may possibly additionally imply “about” in Italian:
- Ho lasciato il cellulare su una sedia. = I left my cellphone on a chair.
- Sto leggendo un libro su Leonardo Da Vinci. = I’m studying a e book about Leonardo Da Vinci.
Per (for/by)
The preposition per expresses:
- functions or targets.
- Questo regalo è per te. = This reward is for you.
- Studio per migliorare il mio italiano. = I research for bettering my Italian.
- the length of one thing:
- Starò qui per tre giorni. = I’ll keep right here for three days.
- the motion by a spot:
- Passeggiamo per il parco. = We stroll by the park.
Tra and Fra (between/amongst)
Tra and fra imply “between” or “amongst” in Italian, and the excellent news is they’re interchangeable!
You should use both to:
- point out the place or relationship between two issues.
- Tra il tavolo e la finestra c’è una sedia. = Between the desk and the window is a chair.
- point out time sooner or later.
- Partiamo tra cinque minuti. = We depart in 5 minutes.
- Ci vediamo fra una settimana. = We’ll see one another in a week.
Tip: Decide the preposition that makes the sentence sound smoother.
- Use tra when the next phrase begins with an “f,” comparable to in tra fratelli (between brothers).
- Use fra when the next phrase begins with a “t,” comparable to in fra tanti (amongst many).
Selecting primarily based on sound may help your sentences move extra naturally.
Preposizioni articolate (articulated prepositions) in Italian
Now that you just’ve bought a deal with on easy Italian prepositions, let’s take issues up a notch with the preposizioni articolate (articulated prepositions). Articulated prepositions are fashioned by combining easy prepositions with Italian particular articles—primarily creating phrases like del (of the), al (to the), or nel (within the).
Articulated prepositions typically comply with the identical guidelines as the straightforward prepositions they’re primarily based on. However they’ve a gender (female or masculine) and a quantity (singular or plural) decided by the phrase that they precede.
How one can create articulated prepositions in Italian
Italian has seven particular articles, which will be both masculine or female and singular or plural. All of them translate to “the” in English.
| Italian Article | Gender | Quantity |
| il | masculine | singular |
| lo | masculine (earlier than “s” + consonant, “z,” “ps,” “gn”) | singular |
| l’ | masculine/female (earlier than vowels) | singular |
| la | female | singular |
| i | masculine | plural |
| gli | masculine (earlier than “s” + consonant, “z,” “ps,” “gn”) | plural |
| le | female | plural |
Every Italian article can mix with one among these 5 easy prepositions: di, a, da, in, and su. For instance:
- di + il = del (of the)
- a + la = alla (to the)
The preposition con will be mixed with articles, however these kinds are used sparingly in on a regular basis Italian. In the meantime, per, tra, and fra stay easy prepositions and by no means merge with articles.
Articulated prepositions with di
When di combines with particular articles, it turns into helpful phrases like “of the” or “concerning the.” Use these to precise possession or the origin of one thing.
| Preposition + Article | Pronunciation | Instance | English |
| del (di + il) | dehl | il libro del professore | the e book of the professor |
| dello (di + lo) | deh-loh | lo zaino dello studente | the backpack of the scholar |
| dell’ (di + l’) | dehl | l’amico dell’insegnante | the pal of the instructor |
| della (di + la) | dehl-lah | il pettine della parrucchiera | the comb of the hairdresser |
| dei (di + i) | day | i libri dei ragazzi | the books of the boys |
| degli (di + gli) | deh-lyee | gli zaini degli studenti | the backpacks of the scholars |
| delle (di + le) | dehl-leh | Parliamo delle preposizioni italiane. | Let’s speak concerning the Italian prepositions. |
Articulated prepositions with a
Use a with articles to make phrases like “to the” or “on the.” These phrases are good for speaking about locations and areas. So, if you happen to ever get misplaced in Italy, you’ll use these Italian phrases rather a lot when asking for instructions:
- Mi scusi, che strada porta al Colosseo? = Excuse me, which method to the Colosseum?
- Mi può indicare come andare alla stazione? = Are you able to inform me how one can go to the prepare station?
| Preposition + Article | Pronunciation | Instance | English |
| al (a + il) | ahl | Andiamo al cinema. | We’re going to the cinema. |
| allo (a + lo) | ah-loh | Vado allo stadio. | I’m going to the stadium. |
| all’ (a + l’) | ahl | Sono all’aeroporto. | I’m on the airport. |
| alla (a + la) | ahl-lah | Ho scritto alla professoressa. | I wrote to the instructor. |
| ai (a + i) | ah-ee | Chiedo ai vicini. | I ask to the neighbors. |
| agli (a + gli) | ah-lyee | Siamo agli s. | We’re all the way down to the wire. |
| alle (a + le) | ahl-leh | Sono andata alle Isole Eolie. | I went to the Aeolian Islands. |
Articulated prepositions with da
When da merges with articles, it takes on the that means “from the” or “by the.” Similar to in English, da connects you to the supply—whether or not it’s the place you’ve come from or the place you’ve been for some time.
It’s additionally good for speaking about how lengthy one thing has been occurring.
| Preposition + Article | Pronunciation | Instance | English |
| dal (da + il) | dahl | Torno dal cinema. | I’m getting back from the cinema. |
| dallo (da + lo) | dah-loh | Vengo dallo zoo. | I’m coming from the zoo. |
| dall’ (da + l’) | dahl | Parto dall’aeroporto. | I’m leaving from the airport |
| dalla (da + la) | dahl-lah | Lavoro dalla caffetteria. | I work from the cafeteria. |
| dai (da + i) | dah-ee | Sono dai nonni. | I’m on the grandparents’ place. |
| dagli (da + gli) | dah-lyee | Togli i libri dagli scaffali. | Take away books from the cabinets. |
| dalle (da + le) | dahl-leh | Parto domani dalle Eolie. | I’m leaving tomorrow from the Aeolian Islands. |
Articulated prepositions with in
The preposition in turns into “within the” when mixed with articles and helps you speak about locations and areas.
Whether or not you’re nel cuore di Roma (within the coronary heart of Rome) or exploring the greatest wineries in Tuscany, this preposition will enable you describe precisely the place you might be.
| Preposition + Article | Pronunciation | Instance | English |
| nel (in + il) | nehl | Sono nel parco sotto casa. | They’re within the park close to residence. |
| nello (in + lo) | neh-loh | Vivo nello stato di NY. | I reside within the state of N.Y. |
| nell’ (in + l’) | nehl | Lavoro nell’azienda di famiglia. | I work within the household enterprise. |
| nella (in + la) | nehl-lah | Abito nella periferia. | I reside within the suburbs. |
| nei (in + i) | nay | Viaggio nei mesi estivi. | I journey in the summertime months. |
| negli (in + gli) | neh-lyee | Vivo negli Stati Uniti. | I reside in the USA. |
| nelle (in + le) | nehl-leh | nelle province italiane | within the Italian provinces |
Articulated prepositions with con
Whereas con can typically mix with particular articles to create an articulated preposition, this way is much less generally used. Nevertheless, in additional formal or literary contexts, chances are you’ll encounter phrases the place con is merged with articles, comparable to col or coi (with the).
| Preposition + Article | Pronunciation | Instance | English |
| col (con + il) | kohl | Ho parlato col dottore. | I spoke with the physician. |
| coi (con + i) | koh-ee | Vado al parco coi bambini. | I’m going to the park with the youngsters. |
It’s completely nice in on a regular basis Italian to make use of con adopted by the articles:
- Ho parlato con il dottore. = I spoke with the physician.
- Vado al parco con i bambini. = I’m going to the park with the youngsters.
Articulated prepositions with su
Consider su as your go-to for explaining what’s on high of one thing or what a dialog is “on” (about).
| Preposition + Article | Pronunciation | Instance | English |
| sul (su + il) | sool | Il cane è sul divano. | The canine is on the sofa. |
| sullo (su + lo) | soo-loh | Il libro è sullo scaffale alto. | The e book is on the tall shelf. |
| sull’ (su + l’) | sool | La foto è sull’armadio. | The picture is on the wardrobe. |
| sulla (su + la) | sool-lah | La tazza è sulla tavola. | The cup is on the desk. |
| sui (su + i) | soo-ee | I piatti sono sui ripiani. | The plates are on the cabinets. |
| sugli (su + gli) | soo-lyee | I documenti sono sugli scaffali. | The paperwork are on the cabinets. |
| sulle (su + le) | sool-leh | Le scarpe sono sulle scale. | The sneakers are on the steps. |
Key takeaways about Italian prepositions
You’ve simply unlocked the magic behind Italian prepositions—now, it’s time to apply! The extra you employ them in actual conversations, the nearer you’ll get to fluency. Take note of Italian phrases the place prepositions are regularly used. These can provide you a greater sense of how prepositions match into on a regular basis language.
Right here’s what you might have to bear in mind about these 47 magic phrases:
- There are two fundamental kinds of prepositions in Italian. Easy prepositions stand alone, whereas articulated prepositions merge them with particular articles primarily based on the gender and variety of the next noun.
- In articulated prepositions, use the article lo or gli earlier than masculine nouns beginning with “s”+consonant, “z-,” “ps-,” or “gn-.”
- All the time use prepositions ending with an apostrophe when adopted by a vowel.
