3 As in many other languages, there is so much variation in how Italian prepositions are used that it is not feasible to give simple rules covering every possibility. To appreciate the problem, you only have to look at a few of the possible uses of the preposition di:
il presidente della repubblica Il libro è di Calvino.
Sono di Roma.
Di pomeriggio fanno
sempre la
siesta.
the president of the republic The book is by Calvino.
I’m from Rome.
They always have a nap in the afternoon.
Sometimes, Italian even has a preposition where English does not; here are some typical examples:
Ho una bella camicia di seta.
Anna’s car
Do you want (some/any) fruit?
There are a few thousand people in the square.
I’ve got a lovely silk shirt.
Since there is not a simple set of rules governing prepositions in Italian, what we are going to do is show some typical uses of the common ones listed above.
The more you hear and read Italian, the more you will encounter different uses of these and other prepositions; the best way of mastering them is to learn them and practise them as you go along.
4 Di is typically used to express:
possession La moto di Luca è rossa. Luca’s motorbike is red.
material una giacca di pelle a leather jacket
time Di sera non esco. I don’t go out in the evening(s).
subject una lezione di storia a history lesson
Unit 8 59 The most common uses of di are the ones which correspond to the English possessive (’s) and the noun + noun structure:
il libro del professore the teacher’s book la sorella di Monica Monica’s sister il casco di Sebastiano Sebastiano’s helmet
la politica del governo the government’s policy/government policy una buca delle lettere a letter box
un racconto di fate a fairy tale il professore di scienze the science teacher un panino di formaggio a cheese roll
Di is frequently used in partitive constructions, i.e. to express the English
‘some’ or ‘any’ in such sentences as ‘I’d like some bread’, ‘Have you any pasta?’, ‘We’ve got (some) pasta and (some) olives’:
Devo comprare del pane.
Prendo della pasta.
C’è dell’acqua in frigo.
Esco con degli amici.
Vuoi dei libri in italiano?
Ci sono delle case sulla collina.
I’ve got to get (some) bread.
I’m getting (some) pasta.
There’s (some) water in the fridge.
I’m going out with (some) friends.
Do you want (some) books in Italian?
There are (some) houses on the hill.
Di is also used, followed by a verb in the infinitive, after certain verbs like
credere (to believe), pensare (to think), dire (to say), sperare (to hope), finire (to finish), smettere (to stop):
Finisco di leggere il giornale e poi
5 A is typically used to express:
place Abito a Londra.
Vado al cinema.
Sono a casa.
I finish reading the paper and then I go out.
Paolo thinks he is intelligent.
Anna believes she can pass the exam.
Mum says she’s tired.
I must stop wasting time!
I live in London.
I’m going to the cinema.
I’m at home.
La casa si trova a 100 metri The house is 100 metres from
dal mare. the sea.
time Parto alle 17. I’m leaving at 17.00.
Vado in Olanda a luglio. I’m going to Holland in July.
60 Unit 8
indirect object Diamo il libro a Silvia.
Scrivete ai vostri genitori?
quality Vuoi un gelato al limone?
means/manner La giacca è fatta a mano.
Impari tutto a memoria?
Stasera mangiamo patate
al vapore.
We’re giving the book to Silvia.
Do you write to your parents?
Do you want a lemon ice-cream?
The jacket’s made by hand.
Do you learn everything by heart?
We’re having steamed potatoes tonight. [i.e.
they’re cooked with steam]
A is also used, followed by a verb in the infinitive, after certain verbs like andare (to go), venire (to come), cominciare (to start/begin), continuare (to continue), riuscire (can/to be able/manage):
‘Dove vai?’ ‘Vado a lavorare.’
Vieni a studiare in biblioteca? Comincio a capire.
Paolo continua a parlare.
Non riesco a sentire cosa dice.
6 Da is typically used to express:
place Parto da Milano.
‘Where are you going?’ ‘I’m going to work.’
Are you coming to work in the library?
I’m beginning to understand.
Paolo continues/keeps on talking. I can’t hear what he’s saying.
I’m leaving from Milan.
time Studio italiano da un mese. I have been studying Italian for a month.
aperto dalle 9 alle 10 open (from) 9 to 10 (o’clock) function Sono scarpe da tennis. They’re tennis shoes.
Da is always used to mean ‘at/at the house of’ a person or people:
Abiti da tua zia? Do you live at your aunt’s?
Lavoro da Anna stasera. I’m working at Anna’s tonight.
Devo andare dal dentista. I have to go to the dentist.
Da is also used followed by an infinitive after molto (a lot), poco (little), niente (nothing), qualcosa (something):
Ho molto da fare. I’ve got a lot to do.
Ha poco da dire. He has little/He’s not got much to say.
Non c’è niente da bere. There’s nothing to drink.
Vuoi qualcosa da mangiare?Do you want something to eat?
Unit 8 61 7 In is typically used to express:
place Vivo in campagna.
Abbiamo una casa in Francia.
time nel 2006
nel ventesimo secolo means Andiamo in treno/in auto/in bici.*
I live in the country.
We have a house in France.
in 2006
in the twentieth century We’re going by train/car/on
our bikes.
* NB: in piedi means ‘standing’; ‘on foot’ is a piedi.
8 Con is typically used to express:
company Vado al cinema con Luca.
Parlo con Anna.
means Devo scrivere con una penna rossa.
Pago con un assegno.
manner Parla con accento straniero.
Parla con lentezza.
quality una signora con i capelli grigi
9 Su is typically used to express:
place I tuoi libri sono sulla scrivania.
il ponte sullo stretto di Messina subject un libro sul calcio
I’m going to the cinema with Luca.
I’m talking to/with Anna.
I’ve got to write with a red pen.
I’m paying with a cheque/by cheque.
He speaks with a foreign accent.
He speaks slowly.
a lady with grey hair
Your books are on the desk.
the bridge over the Strait of Messina
a book on/about football
When the preposition su is used with a personal pronoun, the pronoun is also preceded by di: Conto su di lui (I’m counting on him).
10 Per is typically used to express:
place Partiamo per la montagna.
time Esco per 10 minuti.
Per le 11 sono a casa.
means Mando il file per email.
cause una multa per eccesso di velocità
aim Studio per passare l’esame.
price per 15 euro
We are leaving for the mountains.
I’m going out for 10 minutes. I’ll be home by/for 11.
I’ll send the file by email.
a fine for speeding/speeding
fine
I’m studying (in order) to pass the exam.
for 15 euros
62 Unit 8
11 Tra and fra are typically used to express:
place tra Milano e Torino fra compagni di classe time fra due ore