Presentarsi - (To introduce oneself)

NOTE:   Italians give much concern about the use of familiar (fam) or polite (frm) address.  This has to do with the use of pronouns and the ending of verbs.  Be careful how you use them.  Italians would probably take as an offence if addressed in an improper manner.  Use familiar form when addressing to close friends and family, taking into account the difference of age.  Use polite form when addressing to strangers or business people.  For instance: [tu] come stai? (fam) is the second singular form of the verb stare; [Lei] come sta? (frm) is the third singular form.  Both mean (How are you?)

NOTE:   See: personal pronouns for the correct form when addressing to people.

Ecco delle parole utili da conoscere: - (Here there are some useful words to know)

accogliere	(to receive)	essere benvenuto	(to be welcome)
accoglienza	(reception)	dare il benvenuto a ...	(to welcome (sb))
conoscere	(to know)	far la conoscenza di	(to make the acquaintance of)
amicizia	(friendship)	fare amicizia con	(to make friends with)
conversazione	(conversation)	argomento di ...	(subject of conversation)
conversare	(to talk)	ricevere un invito	(to receive an invitation)
cortese	(polite)	accettare un invito	(to accept an invitation)
cortesia	(politeness)	rifiutare un invito	(to decline an invitation)
disturbo	(trouble)	ospite	(guest)
disturbare	(to trouble)	ospitalità	(hospitality)
felice	(happy)	ospitare	(to give hospitality)
gentile	(kind)	piacere	(pleasure)
gentilezza	(kindness)	presentare	(to present / to introduce)
gradire	(to appreciate)	presentarsi	(to introduce oneself)
gradito	(appreciated)	essere presentato	(to be introduced)
invito	(invitation)	presentazione	(introduction)
invitare	(to invite)	ringraziare	(to thank)
stare	(to stay)	vedere	(to see)
visita	(visit / call)	fare una visita	(to pay a visit)

Vediamo come chiedere e dare il nome: - (Let's see how to ask and give the name)

Come ti chiami?	(What are you called?)
Qual'è il tuo nome?	(What's your name?)
Qual'è il nome di tua sorella?	(What's your sister's name?)
Come si chiama lui / lei?	(What is his/her name?)
Come si chiama Lei?	(What is your name?) (frm)
Come si chiama tuo fratello?	(What is your brother's name?)
Come si chiama la tua amica?	(What is your friend's name?) (f)

Io mi chiamo Salvatore.	(I am called Salvatore)
Il mio nome è Andrea.	(My name is Andrea)
Il nome di mia sorella è Ida.	(My sister's name is Ida)
Lui / lei si chiama ...	(His/her name is...)
Il mio nome è Ugo Neri.	(My name is Ugo Neri) (frm)
Mio fratello si chiama Giuseppe.	(My brother is called Giuseppe)
La mia amica si chiama Anna.	(My friend is called Anna)
Loro sono amici di Osvaldo.	(They are Osvaldo's friends)

Vediamo come presentarsi: - (Let's see how to present yourself)

Le presento il mio amico Antonello.	(I present you my friend Antonello)
È un piacere conoscerla.	(It is a pleasure for me to meet you)
Felice di incontrare Lei.	(I am happy to meet you)
Il piacere è tutto mio.	(The pleasure is mine)
Mi posso introdurre?   Sono ...	(May I introduce myself?   I am ...)
È stato un vero piacere.	(It has been a real pleasure)
Il piacere è stato mio.	(The pleasure was all mine)
A dopo! / A più tardi.	(See you later)
Ciao, ci vediamo.	(Bye, see you)
Ciao a domani.	(Bye, see you tomorrow)
A domenica.	(See you on Sunday)

Vediamo queste frasi comuni: - (Let's see these common sentences)

Come stai?	(How are you?)	Bene e tu?	(Fine and you?)
Come state ragazzi?	(How are you boys?)	Noi bene e tu?	(We're ok and you?)
Come state ragazze?	(How are you girls?)	Noi bene e Lei/Voi?	(We're ok and you?)
Come andiamo?	(How is going?)	Io sto molto bene.	(I am very well)
Come sta Lino?	(How is Lino?)	Lui sta molto male.	(He's very bad)
E Lucia?	(And Lucia?)	Così, così	(So-so)
Come sta sig. ...?	(How are you Mr...?)	[Io] sto molto bene.	(I am very well)

Buongiorno sig. Gino.   Come sta?	(Good morning sig. Gino.   How are you?)
Molto bene Luigino.   È tu come stai?	(Very well Luigino.   And how are you?)

Conversazioni tra amici: - (Conversations between friends)

Come và, Andrea?	(How is going, Andrea?)
[io] Sto bene, grazie.   E tu?	(I am OK, thanks.   And you?)
Non [sto] molto bene.	(I am not very well)
Perché?   Che c'è che non và?	(Why?   What's wrong?)

Ciao Carla. Come và?	(Hi Carla.   How are you?)
Benissimo, grazie.   E tu come stai?	(Very well, thanks. - And how are you?)
Bene.   Non mi lamento.	(Well.   I don't complain)
Ti presento un mio amico, Aldo.	(I present you my friend Aldo)
Ciao, piacere di conoscerti.	(Hi, please to meet you)
Il piacere è tutto mio.	(The pleasure is mine)

G. - Ciao!   Come ti chiami?	(Hi!   What's your name?)
E. - Elena. ... E tu?	(Elena. ... And you?)
G. - Gianni.   Sei di qui?	(Gianni.   Are you from here?)
E. - No, sono di York   E tu di dove sei?	(No, I'm from York   and you?)
G. - Io sono di Pisa ma vivo a Liverpool.	(I'm from Pisa but I live in Liverpool)
G. - Sei qui in vacanza?	(Are you here on holiday?)
E. - No, studio italiano da un anno.	(No, I've been studying Italian for a year)
E. - E tu che cosa fai qui?	(And you what are you doing here?)
G. - Studio inglese e informatica.	(I'm studying English and computing)
E. - Sei qui da molto tempo?	(Have you been here for long time?)
G. - Sono qui da quasi sei mesi.	(I have been here for six months)
E. - Bè Gianni, devo andare ora.	(Well, Gianni, I've to go now)
G. - Senti Elena.   Che fai stasera?	(Listen Elena.   What are doing tonight?)
E. - Niente di speciale.	(Nothing special)
G. - Ti và di mangiare una pizza fuori?	(Would you like to go out for a pizza?)
E. - Volentieri.   Conosci una buona pizzeria?	(Gladly.   Do you know a good pizzeria?)
G. - Si, ce ne sono un bel pò in giro.	(Yes, there are quiete a few in town)
E. - Ok.   Ti va bene alle otto alla stazione?	(It's ok for you at 8 o'clock to the station?)
G. - Si, và benissimo.	(Yes, that's fine)
E. - Allora, ci vediamo stasera.	(See you tonight then)
G. - Si, certo.   A più tardi Elena.	(All right.   See you later)
E. - Ciao Gianni.	(Bye Gianni)

Buongiorno Dottore.   Come sta?	(Good Morning Doctor.   How are you?)
Ciao Andrea.   Come và la gamba?	(Hello Andrea.   How is your leg?)
Molto meglio.   Grazie a Lei.	(Much better.   Thanks to you)
Posso presentarle il mio amico, Enzo?	(May I introduce you my friend, Enzo?)
Hà!   Ho sentito parlare di te.	(Hà!   I have heard about you)
Allora, cosa posso fare per voi ragazzi?	(Then, what can I do for you boys?)
Vede, anch'io ho un dolore alla gamba.	(You see, I have got a pain in my leg too)
Prendi queste pillole che ti passerà	(Take these tablets.   It will go away)
La ringraziamo molto Dottore.	(Thank-you very much Doctor)
È stato un vero piacere conoscerla.	(It has been a pleasure to meet you)
Di niente ragazzi.   Ciao a presto.	(Don't mention it.   See you soon)
Arrivederla, arrivederla.	(Bye bye)

Dove vivi?	(Where do you live?)
Di dove sei?	(Where are you from?)
Di dov'è [Lei]?	(Where are you from?) (frm)
Sono di Napoli (Italia)	(I am from Naples (Italy)
Dove abiti?	(Where do you live?)
Abito a Firenze.	(I live in Florence)
Abito in periferia di Pisa.	(I live in a suburb of Pisa)

Vediamo questi termini geografici: - (Let's see these geographical terms)

Abitanti	Inhabitants	Paesi	Countries
io sono italiano.	(I am Italian)	Italia	Italy
tu sei inglese.	(you are English)	Inghilterra	England
egli è francese.	(he/she is French)	Francia	France
lui è spagnolo.	(he is Spanish)	Spagna	Spain
lei è tedesca.	(she is German)	Germania	Germany
Lei è svizzero.	(you are Swiss) (frm)(sg)	Svizzera	Switzerland
noi siamo europei.	(we are Europeans)	Europa	Europe
voi siete americani.	(you are Americans)	America	America
voi siete greci.	(you are Grecian)	Grecia	Greece
Voi siete russo.	(you are Russian) (frm)(sg)	Russia	Russia
essi sono scozzesi.	(they are Scottish)	Scozia	Scotland
loro sono irlandesi.	(they are Irish)	Irlanda	Ireland
Loro sono gallesi.	(they are Wales) (frm)(pl)	Galles	Wales

Index

How to introduce yourself is currently under construction and will be completed later on.

I pronomi - (Pronouns)

• I pronomi personali soggetto   (Personal subject pronouns)
• I pronomi personali oggetto   (Personal object pronouns)
• Aggettivi e pronomi possessivi   (Possessive adjectives and pronouns)

I pronomi personali [soggetto] sono - (The personal subject pronouns are)

io	I
tu	you (fam)(sg)
lui, egli - [esso]	he - [it]
lei, ella - [essa]	she - [it]
Lei	you (frm)(sg)
noi	we
voi	you (fam)(pl)
loro, essi	they (m)
loro, esse	they (f)
Loro	you (frm)(pl)

NOTE:   In Italian the subject pronouns are usually omitted before the verb because the subject can be figured out by the form of the verb used.   If it would be unclear what the subject of the sentence is, then the pronoun has to be included.   However, these pronouns must be used in the following cases:

a)

For emphasis:

Io non parlo italiano, signora.	(I do not speak Italian, madam)
Tu che ne pensi?	(What do you think of it?)

b)

When there are two subjects in contrast:

Luca parla tedesco, io parlo inglese.	(Luca speaks German, I speak English)
Lei è Ida e lui è Leo.	(She is Ida and he is Leo)

c)

After the word anche (too, also, even):

Anche tu devi vederlo.	(You must see too)
Lui è alto, Anch'io sono alto.	(He is tall, I am tall too)

It is very important to use the proper form (formal (frm) or familiar (fam)) when addressing a person you do not know, otherwise you will look ineducated and unkind.

Vediamo come e quando usare I pronomi personali:
(Let's see how and when to use the personal subject pronouns)

a)

tu and voi are the singular and plural forms used when speaking to relatives, friends, children and animals.  (Familiar form)

Tu parli italiano molto bene.	(You speak Italian very well)
Voi due avete molto in comune.	(You two have a lot in common)

b)

lui, lei and loro are now the most commonly used third person pronouns, particularly in spoken Italian.  The forms egli and ella, as well as essi and esse are now mainly found in the written language.  Esso and essa are used to refer to animals, inanimate objects or abstractions, but are frequently omitted.

Lui è il fratello di Saverio.	(He is Saverio's brother)
Lei è la sorella di Giacomo.	(She is Saverio's sister)
Loro sono amici di Paolo.	(they are Paolo's friends)

c)

Polite forms are used when speaking to an older or unknown person.  Lei is the singular polite form of address, and Loro is the plural.  Usually they are written with initial capitals.  Although, there is a growing tendency, particularly in the spoken language to replace the latter with the voi form.  Lei and Loro always take the third person singular and plural forms of the verb respectively.

Lei è il professore di italiano?	(Are you the Italian's teacher?)
Voi siete il professore di italiano?	(Are you the Italian's teacher?)
Loro sono molto gentili, signori.	(You are very kind gentlemen)

The following expression is particularly associated with the use of the informal second person or formal (polite) third person pronoun forms:

Dare del tu	(to use the tu forms)
Diamoci del tu	(let's use the tu forms)
Dare del Lei	(to use the Lei forms)

Index

I pronomi personali [oggetto] sono - (The personal object pronouns are)

DIRECT		INDIRECT
mi	me	mi	to me
ti	you	ti	to you
lo	him, it	gli	to him, to it
la	her, it	le	to her, to it
ci	us	ci	to us
vi	you (pl) or (frm)	vi	to you (pl) or (frm)
li	them (m)	loro	to them (m)
le	them (f)	loro	to them (f)
La	you (m)(f)(sg)(frm)	Le	to you (m)(f)(sg)(frm)
Li	you (m)(pl)(frm)	Loro	to you (m)(f)(pl)(frm)
Le	you (f)(pl)(frm)

These are also known as conjunctive or weak pronouns.  They cannot stand by themselves but must be used in conjunction with a verb.

The direct object pronouns are placed immediately before the verb except in a few cases.

NOTE:   The forms Li and Le are used very rarely in both speech and writing that it might be advisable to use Loro for both; unlike the other direct object pronouns, Loro follows the verb.

Qui ci sono degli esempi: - (Here there are some example)

[tu] mi conosci.	(You know me)
[io] ti conosco.	(I know you)
[io] non lo conosco.	(I don't know him)
[tu] la conosci molto bene.	(You know her very well)
[lei] ci conosce?	(Do you know us?)
[lui] v'invita a pranzo.	(He invites you for a lunch) (pl) or (frm)
[io] li invito a cena.	(I invite them for a dinner) (m)
[lei] le invita a cena.	(She invites them for a dinner) (f)
[io] La invito a cena.	(I invite you for a dinner) (m)(f)(sg)(frm)
[noi] Li invitiamo.	(We invite you) (m)(pl)(frm)
[noi] Le invitiamo.	(We invite you) (f)(pl)(frm)
or [noi] invitiamo Loro.	(We invite you) (pl)(frm)

NOTE:   mi, ti, lo, la and vi drop the vowel and take an apostrophe before a verb beginning with a vowel or h; but ci becomes c' only before e or i, as otherwise the c would become hard.

The indirect object pronouns, with the exception of l / Loro, usually precede the verb, except in certain cases.

Qui ci sono degli esempi: - (Here there are some example)

[lei] mi parla.	(She's talking to me)
[io] ti parlo.	(I am talking to you)
[noi] gli parliamo.	(We're talking to him)
[io] le parlo.	(I am talking to her)
[lei] ci parla.	(She's talking to us)
[lui] vi parla.	(He's talking to you) (pl) or (frm)
Noi parliamo loro.	(We're talking to them) (m)(f)
[io] Le parlo.	(I am talking to you) (m)(f)(sg)(frm)
[io] parlo Loro.	(I am talking to you) (m)(f)(pl)(frm)
[io] gli mando una lettera.	(I send him a letter)

NOTE:   The object is indirect when it is preceded by to or when to is understood, as in the last example.  Also loro as an indirect object pronoun following the verb can be, and often is (especially in the spoken language), rendered by gli preceding the verb.  So, the example above, (Noi) parliamo loro may be rendered (Noi) gli parliamo.  This use is gaining ground at the written level, too, although it is still considered "inelegant".

La particella ne - (The particle ne)

Ne   (and also ci - vi) can be either an adverb or a conjunctive pronoun.  In neither case, can the particle stand by itself.  Used as an adverb, ne means (from there/here), and is associated with the preposition da.  Vattene.  (go away).  As conjunctive pronoun has a range of meanings including of it/him/her/them - about it/him/her/them - of this/that - some/any - some/any of it.

Vediamo come usarla: - (Let's see how to use it)

a)

It is particularly associated with the preposition di:

Che cosa pensi di Alberto?  -  Che ne pensi di lui?
(What do you think of Alberto?  -  What do you think of him?)
Non me ne importa niente.  -  Me ne frego di lei.
(I couldn't care less about it.  -  I couldn't care less about her)
Mi sono dimenticato di chiamare Annalisa.  -  Me ne sono dimenticato.
(I forgot to call Annalisa.  -  I forgot about it)

b)

To replace the partitive del, della, dei etc.

C'è ancora della birra nel frigo?  -  No, non c'è n'è più.
(Is in the fridge some beers left to drink?  -  No, there aren't any left)
Carissimo amico.   Hai del denaro da prestarmi?  -  No, non ne ho.
(My dear friend.   Have you got some money to lend me?  -  No, I haven't got any)

c)

In English of them is understood, but ne must not be omitted in an Italian sentence when an adjective of quantity or a number follows the verb:

Quanti anni hai?  -  Ne ho trent'uno.  /  Ne compio trentadue il mese prossimo.
(How old are you?  -  I am thirty-one.  /  I'll be thirty-two next month)
Come mi piacciono questi cioccolatini  -  Ne ho mangiato tantissimi.
(How I love these chocolates!  -  I've eaten ever so many of them!)

d)

Ne   can agree with the past participle only in its partitive use:

Ho bevuto della birra.  -  Ne hai bevuta anche tu?

e)

Ne   precedes the verb except in few cases:

Ne hai parlato con la tua ragazza?  -  No, non ne ho ancora parlato con lei.
(Have you spoken to your girlfriend?  -  No, I haven't spoken to her about it yet)

f)

Where it is used in conjunction with an indirect object pronoun or a reflexive pronoun it takes second place:

Te ne parlerò dopo.	(I'll speak to you about it later)
Me ne andrò domani.	(I am going away tomorrow)
Vorrei andarmene a casa.	(I would like to go home)
Potrei parlartene un attimo?	(May I speak to you about it for a moment?)

NOTE:   The pronouns: mi, ti, lo, la, ci, vi, li, le, ne can be appended to the interjection ecco (here is/are/am - there is/are/am) and to its derivative riecco.

Eccone due!	(Here are two of them!)
(ri) eccomi!	(Here/there I am! (again))
(ri) eccoti!	(Here/there you are! (again))
(ri) eccolo!	(Here/there he/it is! (again))

Index

Aggettivi e pronomi possessivi - (Possessive adjectives and pronouns)

The forms of possessive adjectives and pronouns are identical in Italian.  They are always accompanied by the definite article, unless an indefinite article, a numeral or a demonstrative is used, except in certain clearly defined cases shown below.  They agree in number and gender with the object or the person possessed:

SINGULAR		PLURAL
MASC	FEM	MASC	FEM
il mio	la mia	i miei	le mie	my - mine
il tuo	la tua	i tuoi	le tue	your - yours
il suo	la sua	i suoi	le sue	his - her - hers - its
il nostro	la nostra	i nostri	le nostre	our - ours
il vostro	la vostra	i vostri	le vostre	your - yours
il loro	la loro	i loro	le loro	their - theirs
il Suo	la Sua	i Suoi	le Sue	your - yours (frm)(sg)
il Loro	la Loro	i Loro	le Loro	their - theirs (frm)(pl)

The latter are the polite forms and generally written with an initial capital letter.  Sometimes, the pronoun voi may be used instead of Loro, as polite form.

Il Suo conto signore.	(Your bill Sir)
Ecco la Sua giacca, signora.	(Here is your jacket, signora)
Il vostro tè, signorina.	(Your the, Miss)
I Loro amici.	(Their/yours friends)

Vediamo l'uso dell'aggettivo possessivo: - (Let's see the use of the possessive adjective)

a)

The possessive adjective is repeated before each noun and agree with it:

I tuoi blue-jeans e le tue scarpe sono bagnati. (Your jeans and your shoes are soaking wet)

b)

If there is any doubt as to the person referred to, confusion may be avoided by using di lei (of her) or di lui (of him):

Elena legge il suo libro.	(Elena is reading her (own) book)
Elena legge il libro di lei.	(Elena is reading hers book)
Prendi la sua giacca.	(Take his jacket)
Prendi la giacca di lui.	(Take his jacket)

c)

In Italian, as in French, the possessive adjective itself is often omitted in cases where the identity of the possessor is already clear from the context:

Metti il cappotto.	(Put your coat on)
Puoi fare il biglietto allo stadio.	(You can get your ticket at the stadium)
Quando prendi la paga?	(When do you take your wage?)

d)

The article is NOT used before the possessive when it precedes a noun denoting family relationships, provided that:

1) - the noun is in the singular:

Mio fratello vive a Pisa.	(My brother lives in Pisa)
Tua sorella studia inglese.	(Your sister studies English)
Vostro marito lavora di notte.	(Your husband works in the night)

I miei fratelli sono tutti sposati.	(My brothers are all married)
Tua sorella studia inglese.	(Your sister studies English)
Le tue cugine sono a casa.	(Your cousins are at home)
I vostri figli sono studenti?	(Are your suns/daughter students?)

2) - the noun is not qualified by an adjective:

La mia cara madre.	(My dear mother)
Il nostro vecchio padre.	(Our old father)
La mia sorella sposata.	(My married sister)

3) - the noun is not a diminutive:

Il mio piccolo fratello.	(My little brother)
La mia sorellina.	(My little sister)

4) - the possessive is not loro or Loro (their or your):

Il loro genere.	(Their/your son-in-law)
La loro madre.	(Your mother)

NOTE:   The forms babbo - papà (daddy - dad), mamma (mother - mum), nonno (grandfather), nonna (grandmother) may be found with or without the definite article (il mio babbo, la mia mamma, il mio nonno,
la mia nonna).

*

The article is also NOT used with certain set phrases:

Dio mio!	(My God!)
Colpa mia.	(It's my fault)
Casa mia.	(My house)
Non sono affari tuoi.	(It's none of your business)
Fai sempre tutto di testa tua.	(You do everything as you please)

e)

The indefinite article or other parts of speech may be found in conjunction with the possessive adjective:

Una mia amica.	(A friend of mine) (f)
Molti miei amici.	(Many of my friends)
Delle mie amiche.	(Some of my friends) (f)
Un mio libro.	(A book of mine / one of my book)

Vediamo l'uso del pronome possessivo: - (Let's see the use of the possessive pronoun)

In the following examples possessive adjectives are used in the first part of the sentence, and possessive pronouns in the second part.  The latter simply substitute for the missing noun:

Ho dimenticato la penna a casa; prestami la tua!

(I've forgotten my pen at home; lend me yours!)

Mio figlio si è laureato l'anno scorso, e il tuo?

(My son graduated last year.   What about yours?)

La loro casa somiglia molto alla nostra.

(Their/your house looks a lot like ours)

Di che colore è la tua moto?   La mia è rossa.   E la tua?

(What colour is your bike?   Mine is red, and yours?)

NOTE:

a)

The article is sometimes omitted when the pronoun is preceded by the verb essere (to be) but there is a slight difference in meaning:

Questa matita è la mia.	(This pencil is mine [one of a number])
Questa matita è mia.	(This pencil is mine [my property])

b)

When a possessive pronoun refers to two preceded nouns of different gender the masculine form predominates:

Queste chiavi e questo passaporto sono miei.

(These keys and this passport are mine)

Index

I verbi - (Verbs)

In Italian there are six verb forms (persons), and they are conjugated depending on who the subject of the verb is.

Vediamo il presente indicativo dei verbi ausiliari avere and essere.
(Let's see the present indicative of the auxiliary verbs (to have) and (to be))

Il verbo avere: - (The verb to have)

io	ho	(I have)
tu	hai	(you have) (fam)(sg)
lui, egli - [esso]	ha	(he - [it] has)
lei, ella - [essa]	ha	(she - [it] has)
Lei	ha	(you have) (frm)(sg)
noi	abbiamo	(we have)
voi	avete	(you have) (fam)(pl)
loro, essi	hanno	(they have) (m)
loro, esse	hanno	(they have) (f)

NOTE:    See how to use: the personal subject pronoun with verbs:

Vediamo queste frasi: - (Let's see these sentences)

Io ho un cane di nome Briciola.	(I have a dog called Briciola)
Tu hai buon gusto.	(You have good taste)
Lui/egli ha i capelli biondi.	(He has blonde hair)
Lei/ella ha due sorelle.	(She has two sisters)
Lei ha una bella macchina.	(You have a nice car)
Noi abbiamo molto da studiare.	(We have a lot to study)
Voi avete della buona musica.	(You have some good music)
Loro/essi hanno una bella casa.	(They have a beautiful house)

Il verbo essere: - (The verb to be)

io	sono	(I am)
tu	sei	(you are) (fam)(sg)
lui, egli - [esso]	è	(he - [it] is)
lei, ella - [essa]	è	(she - [it] is)
Lei	è	(you are) (frm)(sg)
noi	siamo	(we are)
voi	siete	(you are) (fam)(pl)
loro, essi	sono	(they are) (m)
loro, esse	sono	(they are) (f)

Vediamo queste frasi: - (Let's see these sentences)

Io sono alto un metro e ottanta.	(I am tall 1.80m.)
Tu sei molto carina.	(You are very pretty)
Lui/egli è il ragazzo di Lisa.	(He's Lisa's boyfriend)
Lei/ella è la ragazza di Paolo.	(She's Paolo's girlfriend)
Lei è il sig. Rossi?	(Are you Mr. Rossi?)
Noi siamo bravi ragazzi.	(We are good boys)
Voi siete studenti?	(Are you students?)
Loro/essi sono amici di Angelo.	(They are Angelo's friends)

To form the negative, place non in front of the verb:

Io non sono Francese.	(I am not French)
Gianni non è di Napoli.	(Gianni is not from Naples)
Io non ho soldi.	(I have not money)
Lucia non ha molti amici.	(Lucia hasn't got many friends)

The interrogative is formed by leaving the verb and pronoun as they stand and either by inflecting the voice, as one sometimes does in English when denoting surprise.  Also by using non è vero? (is it not?):

Tu hai una macchina?	(You have a car?)
Giorgio ha una moto rossa?	(Has Giorgio got a red motorbike?)
Luca ha una bicicletta?	(Has Luca got a bicycle?)

Coniugazione dei Verbi Regolari: - (Conjugation of Regular Verbs)

Italian verbs are divided into three categories (conjugations); these are determinated by their infinitive endings.  Within each category, there are regular and irregular verbs.  Regular verbs all conjugate with a similar pattern.  Irregular verbs don't follow a pattern, and each verb's conjugation has to be memorised separately.

The First conjugation (the largest category) ends in	-are
The Second conjugation ends in	-ere
The Third conjugation (the smallest category) ends in	-ire

These are regular verbs:

amare	(to love)	credere	(to believe)
parlare	(to speak / to talk)	prendere	(to take)
studiare	(to study)	vedere	(to see)
chiamare	(to call)	capire	(to understand)
lavorare	(to work)	sentire	(to feel/taste/hear)
ascoltare	(to listen)	finire	(to finish)

The Italian present translates not only the simple present: (I speak), Io parlo but also the progressive: (I am speaking) and the emphatic: (I do speak), although it is also possible to translate (I am speaking) by the progressive construction  io sto parlando.   Also, Italian uses the present tense to express an intention or a suggestion in cases where English uses a future tense: (Shall we go?)  Andiamo?  or (I'll take it, thanks)   Lo prendo, grazie.  And also, the Italian present are used when talking about an action that stretches from the past to the moment of speaking, whereas English uses a past tense: (I've been studying English for the last two years)  Studio inglese da due anni.  However, we will see these forms later.

The stem or root of all regular verbs never changes (the stem is the part preceding the infinitive ending):

Presente Indicativo - (Present Indicative)

-are verbs: (studiare)		-ere verbs: (credere)
studio	-o	credo	-o
studi	-i	credi	-i
studia	-a	crede	-e
studiamo	-iamo	crediamo	-iamo
studiate	-ate	credete	-ete
studiano	-ano	credono	-ono

NOTE:   Many verbs of the third conjugation insert -isc- between the stem and the ending in the singular and in the third person plural of the present indicative and subjunctive.  The most common ones are: capire (to understand), costruire (to build), finire (to finish), preferire (to prefer), pulire (to clean).

-ire verb: (sentire)		-ire verb: (capire)
sento	-o	capisco	-isco
senti	-i	capisci	-isci
sente	-e	capisce	-isce
sentiamo	-iamo	capiamo	-iamo
sentite	-ite	capite	-ite
sentono	-ono	capiscono	-iscono

Here there are the verbs parlare (to speak) and lavorare (to work)

io	parlo	(I speak)	lavoro	(I work)
tu	parli	(you speak) (fam)(sg)	lavori	(you work) (fam)(sg)
lui, egli - [esso]	parla	(he - [it] speaks)	lavora	(he - [it] works)
lei, ella - [essa]	parla	(she - [it] speaks)	lavora	(she - [it] works)
Lei	parla	(you speaks) (frm)(sg)	lavora	(you work) (frm)(sg)
noi	parliamo	(we speak)	lavoriamo	(we work)
voi	parlate	(you speak) (fam)(pl)	lavorate	(you work) (fam)(pl)
loro, essi	parlano	(they speak) (m)	lavorano	(they work) (m)
loro, esse	parlano	(they speak) (f)	lavorano	(they work) (f)

Vediamo queste frasi: - (Let's see these sentences)

Io amo Daniela con tutto il cuore.	(I love Daniela with all my heart)
Come puoi credere una cosa simile?	(How can you believe such a thing?)
Lui non vede senza occhiali.	(He can't see without his glasses)
Lei ascolta la musica leggera.	(She listens to soft music)
Lei lavora in banca?	(Do you work in a bank?)
Noi non crediamo nei miracoli	(We don't believes in miracles)
Lavorate questo fine settimana?	(Do you work this week-end?)
Loro studiano tutti i giorni.	(They study everyday)

NOTE:   for the verb stare (to stay) and essere (to be), both irregular verbs.

Many times the verb stare (to stay) is confused with the verbs essere which means to be or to exist, but the first can be used where English idiomatics use (to be).   The rules are summarized here:

* - Essere is used to indicate more permanent aspects of people or things, such as:

Identity:	Lui è Carlo.	(He is Carlo)
Nationality:	Sono Italiano.	(I am Italian)
Origin:	Lei è di Roma.	(She is from Rome)
Possession:	L'auto è di Ciro.	(It is Ciro's car)
Profession:	Lui è un dottore.	(He is a Doctor)
Religious or political affiliation:	Tu sei cattolico?	(Are you Catholic?)
Time of day or date:	Sono le sei.	(It's six o'clock)
Essential qualities of (sth) or (sb):	Sei noiosa.	(You are boring)
Location:	La birra è nel frigo.	(The beer is in the fridge)
but also, more rarely:	La birra sta nel frigo.	(The beer is in the fridge)
Physical aspects or characteristics of (sth):	La matita è nera.	(The pencil is black)
Condition or emotion that is subject to change:	Sono stanco.	(I am tired)
Personal observations or reactions, how ...	La casa è sporca.	(The house is dirty)
(sth) seems or feels:

* - Stare is used to indicate precise locations, in idioms and as auxiliary, such as:

Idiomatic sentences:	Io sto bene.	(I am well)
Idiomatic sentences:	Io sto male.	(I feel bad)
Location:	La penna sta sul tavolo.	(The pen is on the table)
Continuous tense:	Sto correndo.	(I am running)

Ora vediamo queste frasi: - (Let's see these sentences)

Io sono uno studente Italiano.	(I am an Italian student)
Tu capisci quasi tutto.	(You understand almost everything)
Paolo ama Luisa.	(Paolo loves Luisa)
Lucia non sta molto bene.	(Lucia doesn't feel very well)
Il signor Mario è Cattolico.	(Mr. Mario is Catholic)
Luca ed io siamo buoni amici.	(Luca and I are good friends)
Voi avete molto da studiare.	(You have a lot to study)
Loro non credono in Dio.	(They don't believe in God)

Index

La pronuncia - (Pronunciation)

The letters J, K, W, X, Y do not figure in the Italian alphabet; they are, however, used for the spelling of foreign words.

Le vocali: - (The vowels)

a, e, i, o, u - The Italian vowels have only one sound, regardless of what letters they precede or follow, or accent marks on the vowel, with the (minor) exception of e and o.

a

is pronounced approximately like a in car:

padre (father)  -  sala (room)  -  caro (dear)

e

has two sounds: - see accentuation

1)  -  Like e in bell (known as the open e).  [grave accent]

lento (slow)  -  bello (beautiful)  -  limone (lemon)

2)  -  Like e in late (known as the closed e).  [acute accent]

pineta (pine grove)  -  seta (silk)  -  meno (less)

i

is pronounced like i in marine:

primo (first)  -  finire (to finish)  -  bacio (kiss)

o

has two sounds:

1)  -  Like o in not (known as the open o).

notte (night)  -  opera (opera, work)  -  ciò (that)

2)  -  Like o in note (known as the closed o).

ora (hour)  -  nome (name)  -  portiere (porter)

u

is always pronounced like oo in moon:

musica (music)  -  uno (one)  -  blu (blue)

Le consonanti - (The consonants)

c

has two sounds:

1)  -  Like c in can, when followed by a, o, u, or by any consonant, including h.

cane (dog)  -  che (what, that)  -  con (with)

crudo (raw)  -  chi (who, whom)  -  cura (care, attention)

2)  -  Like ch in chilli, when followed by e or i.

cena (supper)  -  cima (top, summit)  -  ciao (hi, hello)

cc

before e or i is pronounced like tch in match:

faccia (face)  -  doccia (shower)  -  frecce (arrows)

g

has two sounds:

1)  -  Like g in go, when followed by a, o, u, or by any consonant, including h.

gola (throat)  -  grotta (cave)  -  grasso (fat)

gatto (cat)  -  grande (big, great)  -  guida (guide)

2)  -  Like g in ginger, when followed by e or i.

giudice (judge)  -  gentile (kind)  -  giardino (garden)

gg

before e or i is pronounced like dg in edge:

oggi (today)  -  soggiorno (lounge, stay)  -  raggio (ray, radius)

h

is always silent Initial h is found only in:

ho	(I have)
hai	(you have) (fam)
ha	(he/she/it has, or you have) (frm)(sg)
hanno	(they have, or you have) (frm)(pl)

* - and in a few foreign words.
* - The letter h prevents confusion between these 4 forms of the verb (to have).
* - and o (or), ai (to the), a (to, at), anno (year).
* - h is also found in a few exclamations:
ah! - ahi! - ahimè!  -  (oh! - ah! - alas!).

q

is always followed by u and has the same sound as qu in quick:

quanto (how much)  -  qui (here)

questo (this)  -  quota (share, quota)

r - rr       is trilled in Italian and it's formed using the tip of the tongue on the upper palate,

        behind the front teeth, more like the English d.

        carne (meat)  -  carro (cart)  -  rana (frog)

s

has two sounds:

1)  -  Like s in sad, when beginning a word before any vowel.

sala (hall)  -  sito (site)  -  sette (seven)

sole (sun)  -  salsa (sauce)  -  sale (salt)

* - also in compound words:

ventisei (twenty-six)  -  trentasette (thirty-seven)

* - or when doubled:

diciassette (seventeen)  -  basso (low) -  passo (step)

2)  -  but when intervocalic it usually sounds like s in rose:

rosa (rose)  -  vaso (vase)  -  casa (house, home)

* - and similarly when the noun ends in -ione:

divisione (division)  -  confusione (confusion)

z - zz      has two sounds:

1)  -  Like ts in bits.

grazie (thanks, thank you)  -  tazza (cup)  -  pizza (pizza)

2)  -  Like ds in adds.

pranzo (dinner)  -  mezzo (half)

ch - gh   like ch in chemist and gh in gun.   Can only be followed by e or i:

chiave (key)  -  chiamare (to call)  -  cherosene (kerosene)

laghi (lakes)  -  ghetto (ghetto)  -  margherita (daisy)

gli

has a similar sound to lli in million:

luglio (July)  -  coniglio (rabbit)  -  Ventimiglia

* - except in a very few words where it has the same sound as in English:

glicine (wisteria)  -  negligere (to neglect)  -  Anglicano (Anglican)

gn

has a similar sound to ni in union or gn in mignonette:

ogni (each, every)  -  signora (madam, lady)  -  Canyon

gu

before a vowel is always pronounced like gw in Guendoline:

lingua (language, tongue)  -  guida (guide)

sc

before e or i is pronounced like sh in ship:

scendere (to go down)  -  uscire (to go out)

* -but before a, o, u, and h it has a hard sound like sk:

scuro (dark)  -  scala (staircase)  -  scopo (aim, purpose)

scherzo (joke)  -  scusa (apology)  -  scheletro (scheletone, bone)

j y

in Italian j and y are not used, and when they occur

(in foreign or archaic words), they are pronounced as an Italian i.

L'amica instead of la amica (the friend) (f)

L'Italia instead of la Italia (Italy)

Index

Gli accenti - (Accents)

Three accents are used in Italian: the grave è the acute é and the circumflex ê, but this last one is very rarely used.

The OPEN one, indicated with the grave accent, like è is the one most frequently used.
It acts mainly as stress mark.  This accent is used:

a)

to denote the open sound of e:

è

(is, it is)

caffè

(coffee)

b)

on words which have the stress in the last syllable.

ciò	(that)	già	(already)
giù	(down)	più	(more)
qualità	(quality)	può	(can) (3rd pers)(sg)

c)

on words of one syllable which otherwise would be confused with others of the same spelling but of
different meaning.

è	(is)	e	(and)
dà	(gives)	da	(by, from)
dì	(day) (poet.)	di	(of)
sì	(yes)	si	(pronoun) (him\her\it self)
là	(there)	la	(the) (article)
sè	(him\her\it self)	se	(if)
lì	(there)	li	(pronoun) (m)(pl)
tè	(tea)	te	(you)
pèsca	(peach)	pésca	(fishing)

The CLOSED one, indicated with the acute accent, like é is sometimes seen written in a word over the letter e, when the e has a close sound.

né	(nor)	perché	(why, because)
stélla	(star)	méla	(apple)

NOTE:   Such accents are NOT normally written (unless they are required for tonic reasons), and appear only in dictionaries.  In handwriting do NOT bother to use the acute or the grave accent, just put any little sign over the vowel.  Computers with Italian keyboards have accented keys, otherwise we usually prefer to use ASCII keyboards without accented keys, and just use an apostrophe instead of the accent, e.g. perche'.  It is simpler and more portable.

Index

I numeri - (Numbers)

Uno, due, tre . . . Numbers, as we all know, are very important (not just for counting money), but also they can be very useful for giving your telephone number to somebody, for ordering tre pizze e due birre or just for saying the time, sono le otto. (It's eight o'clock).

Impariamo i numeri (cardinali) da zero (0) a dieci (10):
(Let's learn the (cardinal) numbers from 0 to 10)

0	zero
1	uno
2	due
3	tre
4	quattro
5	cinque
6	sei
7	sette
8	otto
9	nove
10	dieci

NOTE:   Uno, with its different forms un, una, un' , is the only number which changes its form according to the noun which follows.

un gelato	(one/an Ice cream)	una ragazza	(one/a girl)
uno studente	(one/a student) (m)	un'amica	(one/a friend) (f)
una sterlina	(one/a pound)	un'isola	(an island)

Adesso impariamo i numeri ordinali: - (Now let's learn the ordinal numbers)

1st	primo	9th	nono
2nd	secondo	10th	decimo
3rd	terzo	11th	undicesimo
4th	quarto	12th	dodicesimo
5th	quinto	13th	tredicesimo
6th	sesto	21st	ventunesimo
7th	settimo	22nd	ventiduesimo
8th	ottavo	23rd	ventitreesimo

NOTE:   Ordinal numbers, except 1^st to 10^th, are formed by dropping the final vowel of the cardinal number and adding -esimo.  But the last vowel of 23^rd, 33^rd, etc. being a stressed vowel, is not omitted.  Remember that ordinal numbers are adjectives and must agree with the noun.

il primo della classe.	(the first of the class)
la prima settimana.	(the first week)
i primi giorni.	(the first days)
le prime lezioni.	(the first lessons)

Ora, vediamo i numeri da undici (11) a un (1.000.000):
(Now, let's see the number from 11 to 1,000,000)

11	undici	27	ventisette	400	quattrocento
12	dodici	28	ventotto	500	cinquecento
13	tredici	29	ventinove	600	seicento
14	quattordici	30	trenta	700	settecento
15	quindici	31	trentuno	800	ottocento
16	sedici	40	quaranta	900	novecento
17	diciassette	41	quarantuno	1000	mille
18	diciotto	50	cinquanta	1001	milleuno
19	diciannove	60	sessanta	1997	millenovecentonovantasette
20	venti	70	settanta	1998	millenovecentonovantotto
21	ventuno	80	ottanta	2000	duemila
22	ventidue	90	novanta	5000	cinquemila
23	ventitré	100	cento	10.000	diecimila
24	ventiquattro	101	centouno	100.000	centomila
25	venticinque	200	duecento	1.000.000	un milione
26	ventisei	300	trecento	1.000.000.000	un miliardo

NOTE:

a)

1  -  16, have slightly irregular form.
However, we can see that they follow some patterns, much like they do in English.

b)

(20) Venti, (30) trenta, (40) quaranta, and so on up to 100 drop their final vowel in front of uno and otto:

ventuno (21) - ventotto (28) - trentuno (31) - trentotto (38)

c)

The e of tre (3) when used by itself has no accent but when it is combined with another number a grave accent is placed over it:

ventitrè (23) - trentatrè (33) - quarantatrè (43)

d)

(100) Cento has no plural form:

duecento (200) - trecento (300) - quattrocento (400)

e)

(1.000) Mille has an irregular plural.   It changes in mila:

cinquemila (5.000) - seimila (6.000) - settemila (7.000)

f)

(million) Milione and (billion) miliardo have plural form and are always followed by di when used with noun:

Tre milione di persone.	(3 million of people)
Due miliardi di lire.	(2 billion of lira)

g)

Points not commas are used to separate thousands (diecimila is written 10.000) and commas not points are used for decimals:

uno virgola sei or 1,6 (one point six or 1.6)

h)

All numbers, single or compound, are written as one word but e (and) is often used to join hundreds and thousands to unit/tens/hundreds:

cento e uno (101)	duecento e tre (203)
mille e due (1.002)	tremila e sessanta (3.060)
diecimila e cinquecento (10.500)	trentaseimila e novecento (36.900)

i)

Numbers from 200 to 900 are used to express centuries as follows:

il Settecento (the 18^th century of the years between 1700 and 1799)

l'Ottocento (the 19th century)	il Novecento (2000)

j)

Approximate numbers:

una decina   (about ten)	una dozzina   (about twelve)
una quindicina   (about fifteen)	una ventina   (about twenty)
un centinaio   (about a hundred)	due centinaia   (about two hundred)
un migliaio   (about a thousand)	due migliaia   (about two migliaia)

k)

The word di is used when approximate numbers are followed by a noun:

una decina di giorni	(about ten days)
un centinaio di persone	(about a hundred people)

l)

Common expressions:

vado a fare due/quattro passi.	(I'm going for a short walk)
dille tutto in due parole.	(tell her everything in a few words)

Index

Le date e l'età - (Date and age)

NOTE:   In Italian the calendar begins with Monday as the first day of the week, and small letters are used for the months of the year, days of the week and seasons.

I giorni della settimana: - (Days of the week)

NOTE:   the grave accent on the ì for the first five days of the week.   (You know what I mean).

lunedì	(Monday)
martedì	(Tuesday)
mercoledì	(Wednesday)
giovedì	(Thursday)
venerdì	(Friday)
sabato	(Saturday)
domenica	(Sunday)

I mesi dell'anno: - (Months of the year)

gennaio	(January)
febbraio	(February)
marzo	(March)
aprile	(April)
maggio	(May)
giugno	(June)
luglio	(July)
agosto	(August)
settembre	(September)
ottobre	(October)
novembre	(November)
dicembre	(December)

Le quattro stagioni: - (The four seasons)

la primavera	(spring)
l'estate	(summer)
l'autunno	(autumn)
l'inverno	(winter)

Parole utili da conoscere: - (Useful words to know)

alba	(dawn)	mattino	(morning)
mezzogiorno	(midday/noon)	pomeriggio	(afternoon)
tramonto	(sunset)	sera	(evening)
notte	(night)	mezzanotte	(midnight)
oggi	(today)	oggi otto	(in a week)
ieri	(yesterday)	l'altro ieri	(the day before yesterday)
domani	(tomorrow)	dopodomani	(the day after tomorrow)
questa settimana	(this week)	la settimana scorsa	(last week)
la prossima settimana	(next week)	il fine settimana	(the week-end)
quest'anno	(this year)	l'anno scorso	(last year)
due anni fa	(two years ago)	da tre anni	(for three years)
l'anno venturo	(next year)	fra due anni	(in three years)
entro sei anni	(within six years)	tanti anni fa	(many years ago)
annuale	(annual)	annualmente	(yearly)
mensile	(monthly)	quotidiano	(daily)
giorno feriale	(working day)	giorno festivo	(holiday)
trimestre	(quarter)	semestre	(half year)
trimestrale	(quarterly)	settimanale	(weekly)
periodo	(period)	periodico	(periodical)
era	(era)	secolo	(century)

L'età: - (The age)

Age is usually expressed by the verb avere + number + anni.

Quanti anni hai?	(how old are you?)
Ho trentadue anni.	(I am 32)
A che età ...?	(at what age ...?)
Che età ha il suo bambino?	(what age is your baby?)
Una ragazza di ventuno anni.	(one/a girl of 21 years old)
Un ragazzo sui vent'anni / sulla ventina.	(one/a boy about 20 years old)
A l'età di 18 anni si diventa maggiorenni.	(at the age of 18, one comes of age)
Quando compi gli anni?	(when is your birthday?)
In che anno sei nato?	(in which year were you born?)
Una ragazza di ventuno anni.	(one/a girl of 21 years old)

NOTE:

a)

Cardinal numbers (e.g. due, tre) are used for the days of the month except for the first, which use ordinal numbers.

il primo maggio (the first of May)

il primo giugno (the first of June)

b)

When talking about a day of the month, you have to put the article il before the number.

il due aprile (the second of April)

l'otto luglio (the eighth of July)

Adesso, vediamo queste frasi: - (Now, let's see this sentences)

Che giorno è?	(What day is it?)
Oggi è lunedì.	(Today is Monday)
Quale giorno è oggi?	(What day is it today?)
È martedì.	(It's Tuesday)
Che mese è?	(What month is it?)
È il mese di gennaio.	(It's the month of January)
In che mese siamo?	(In which month are we?)
Siamo in marzo.	(We are in March / It's February)
Quale giorno del mese è oggi?	(What day of the month is it today?)
Oggi è il due aprile.	(Today is the 2nd April)
Quanti ne abbiamo oggi?	(What is the date today?)
Oggi ne abbiamo tre.	(Today is the 3rd)
Che data è oggi?	(What is the date today?)
Quando è il tuo compleanno?	(When is your birthday?) (friends/family)
Il mio compleanno è il sei giugno.	(My birthday is the 6th June)
Quando è il suo compleanno?	(When is your birthday?) (3rd pers. or (frm))
L'otto luglio è il mio compleanno.	(The 8th July is my birthday)
Quanti giorni ci sono nel mese di marzo?	(How many days are in the month of March?)

Index

Ringraziamenti - Thanks

I have lived in England from 1993 to 1997 where I have studied English as a foreign language and Information Technology.  In IT I have gained various qualifications and one of them is "Global Communication" Level 2, where I have learned to use the HTML language in order to build Web Page.  In this course, one of the task of my project was to create a web page and so, I started these Web Pages, Italian language for English people.  Now, because I am building my new Web Site in Italian, I thought to insert these pages into the World Wide Web.

I would like to thank to:  Libero Infostrada  the server, for providing me 150 Mbyte of free space in order to create my Web Site.

I would also like to thank to:  Gateshead College   for providing me the use of computers, all the facilities and of course the server.  I am grateful to Paul Trueman for teaching me how to create a web page.  I would also like to thank the staff of Gateshead College for their always available support.   In my experience, I found myself very welcome into an environment particularly friendly and up dated in Information Technology.

I hope that these pages have been useful to you, and I would be very grateful if you would mail me any comments, questions, suggestions and particularly corrections in order to improve my English by clicking on the letter box, on the top of the page.  Thank-you very much indeed.

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