understand Italian.
True or false:
In Italian the word order is usually object-verb-subject. (true/false)
«Aprire» means to close. (true/false)
Translate:
She works in Rome.
We watch TV.
Answer Key:
(Mangiare) Io mangio, Tu mangi, Lui/Lei mangia, Noi mangiamo, Voi mangiate, Loro mangiano. (Leggere) Io leggo, Tu leggi, Lui/Lei legge, Noi leggiamo, Voi leggete, Loro leggono. (Aprire) Io apro, Tu apri, Lui/Lei apre, Noi apriamo, Voi aprite, Loro aprono.
Io leggo un libro., Tu mangi una pizza., Lui guarda la televisione.
Io parlo italiano., Tu leggi un libro., Lei mangia la pasta., Noi dormiamo bene., Loro capiscono l’italiano.
False, False
Lei lavora a Roma., Noi guardiamo la televisione.
Next Steps:
Stupendo! You can now conjugate regular verbs in the present tense and construct simple sentences. In the next chapter, we’ll learn how to describe people and places. Continuiamo così!
Chapter 6: Describing People and Places
Now that you can conjugate verbs and use adjectives, let’s learn how to describe people and places in more detail. This chapter will introduce you to more adjectives and help you express your opinions and preferences.
More Adjectives to Describe People: Più Aggettivi per Descrivere le Persone
Intelligente (intelligent)
Divertente (funny)
Interessante (interesting)
Gentile (kind)
Simpatico/a (nice, likeable)
Antipatico/a (unlikeable)
Timido/a (shy)
Estroverso/a (outgoing)
Onesto/a (honest)
Disonesto/a (dishonest)
More Adjectives to Describe Places: Più Aggettivi per Descrivere i Luoghi
Bello/a (beautiful)
Brutto/a (ugly)
Moderno/a (modern)
Antico/a (ancient)
Grande (big)
Piccolo/a (small)
Tranquillo/a (quiet)
Rumoroso/a (noisy)
Pulito/a (clean)
Sporco/a (dirty)
Using Adjectives with Essere
Remember that adjectives must agree in gender and number with the noun they describe. Here are some examples using the verb essere:
Maria è intelligente. – Maria is intelligent. (feminine singular)
Giovanni è simpatico. – Giovanni is likeable. (masculine singular)
Le case sono belle. – The houses are beautiful. (feminine plural)
I libri sono interessanti. – The books are interesting. (masculine plural)
Talking About Hobbies and Interests: Parlare di Hobby e Interessi
To talk about your hobbies and interests, you can use the verb piacere (to like). However, piacere works a little differently than «to like» in English. The thing you like is the subject of the sentence, and the person who likes it is the indirect object.
Here’s how it works:
Mi piace… – I like…
Ti piace… – You like… (informal)
Gli piace… – He likes…
Le piace… – She likes…
Ci piace… – We like…
Vi piace… – You like… (plural/formal)
Gli piace… – They like…
Examples:
Mi piace la pizza. – I like pizza. (literally, «Pizza pleases me.»)
Ti piace leggere? – Do you like to read?
A lui piace il calcio. – He likes soccer.
A lei piace la musica. – She likes music.
Ci piace viaggiare. – We like to travel.
Vi piace ballare? – Do you like to dance?
A loro piacciono i libri. – They like books. (Note: piacciono is used because «books» is plural)
Cultural Note: Italian Art, Architecture, and Design
Italy has a rich artistic heritage, with stunning examples of art, architecture, and design found throughout the country. From the Renaissance masterpieces in Florence to the ancient Roman ruins in Rome, there’s something to inspire everyone. Take some time to visit museums, explore historical sites, and admire the beauty of Italian design.
Grammar Focus: Agreement of Adjectives
Remember that adjectives in Italian must agree in gender and number with the nouns they describe. Here’s a quick review:
Masculine Singular: Most adjectives end in -o (e.g., bello)
Feminine Singular: Most adjectives end in -a (e.g., bella)
Masculine Plural: Most adjectives end in -i (e.g., belli)
Feminine Plural: Most adjectives end in -e (e.g., belle)
Some adjectives, like intelligente and gentile, have the same form for both masculine and feminine singular. In the plural, they end in -i for both genders.
Exercises
Adjective Agreement: Choose the correct adjective to complete each sentence:
La casa è (bello/bella).
I libri sono (interessante/interessanti).
Maria è (simpatico/simpatica).
Giovanni e Marco sono (alto/alti).
Using Piacere: Complete the sentences using the correct form of piacere:
A me ____ il gelato.
A te ____ leggere.
A lui ____ la musica.
A noi ____ viaggiare.
Describe a Person: Describe one of your friends or family members using adjectives from this chapter.
True or false:
Mi piace means They like. (true/false)
The word «intelligente» ends in -o for male singular. (true/false)
Translate:
She likes to dance.
The car is modern.
Answer Key:
bella, interessanti, simpatica, alti
piace, piace, piace, piace
Answers will vary.
False, False
A lei piace ballare., La macchina è moderna.
Next Steps:
Meraviglioso! You can now describe people and places in detail and talk about your hobbies and interests. In the next chapter, we’ll learn about the immediate future tense. Avanti!
Chapter 7: The Immediate Future
In this chapter, we’ll learn how to talk about the near future using a simple and common construction: andare a + infinitive. This is a convenient way to express what you are going to do.
The Andare a + Infinitive Construction
The structure is quite simple:
Conjugate the verb andare (to go) in the present tense.
Add