ITALIAN PHONETIC SYMBOLS

a1 VOWELS

/a/ / ’mano/ mano

/e/ / ’’meta/ meta

/E/ / ’bEllo/ / ’bEne/ bello bene

/ i/ / i’dea/ idea

/o/ / ’kome/ come

/O/ / ’Oka/ oca

/u/ / ‘uno/ uno

/ j/ / ‘pjatto/ / ‘pjeno/ piatto pieno

/w/ / ’kwadro/ quadro

The brackets / / contain the letter or word written in phonetic transcript.The apostrophe is placed before the main stressed syllable of the word.

CONSONANTS

/p/ / ’krepa/ crepa/b/ / ’banka/ banca/ t/ / ’treno/ treno/d/ / ka’dere/ cadere/k/ / ’parko/ parco/g/ / ’gatto/ gatto/t∫/ / ‘mant∫a/ mancia/£/ / a£i’tare/ agitare/ f/ / ‘fresko/ fresco/v/ / ’vino/ vino/s/ / ’sempre/ sempre/z/ / fanta ‘zja/ fantasia/∫/ / ∫ ‘arpa/ sciarpa/ ts/ / por’tsjone/ porzione/dz/ / dzaba’jone/ zabaione/ l/ / ‘fat∫ile/ facile/λ/ / ‘darλi/ dargli/ r/ / ’radjo/ radio/ m/ / ‘mjo/ mio/ n/ / ‘sano/ sano/3/ / ’3Okko/ gnocco

The brackets contain the letter or word written in phonetic transcript.The apostrophe ‘ is placed before the main stressed syllable of the word.

a1

ITALIAN PHONETIC SYMBOLS

ITALIAN VOWELS AND CONSONANTS

a2 Italian Vowels

/ i/ /e/

/E//a/ /O/

/o// u/

There are seven vowel sounds in Italian. Many words contain diphthongs (two vowelstogether: quadro / ‘kwadro/ , viene / ‘vjEne/ ) and there are also some with triphthongs(three vowels together: miei / ‘mjEi/).

In Italian the accent is not placed on the stressed syllable, except for when the stressis on the last vowel: virtù, realtà, più, già and when it is necessary to distinguish betweensome one syllable homonyms, for example:

da (preposition) dà (verb dare)li (pronoun) lì (place adverb=là)e (conjunction) è (verb essere)

This feature of the Italian language can at times not only gives rise to wrong pronunciationbut can also cause misunderstanding, as some words have the same spelling but arepronounced differently in order to change meaning, for example:

principi (plural of principe /princes) principi (plural of principio/principles)

a2

Italian consonants

Double consonants :

In Italian a word can have a double consonant.The double consonants can be placed :between two vowels fatto / ‘fatto/between a vowel and an r or an l attraente /attra’Ente/ acclamare /akkla ‘mare/

Here is a list of some words with double consonants.p cappello /kap’pEEEEEllo/b abbattere /ab’battere/t gatto / ‘gatto/d caddi / ‘kaddi/k tacco / ‘takko/g leggo / ‘lEEEEEggo/t accendere /at’t∫EEEEEndere/d legge / ‘led£££££e/f affitto /af’fitto/v avventura /avven’tura/s assieme /as’sjEEEEEme/ts razza / ‘rattsa/dz razzo / ‘raddzo/m mamma / ‘mamma/n canna / ‘kanna/l bello / ‘bEEEEEllo/r carro / ‘karro/

ITALIAN VOWELS AND CONSONANTS

a2 The letter z cannot be doubled.

The following letters are always pronounced as if double consonants when placedbetween two vowels:

3 ragno / ‘ra33o/

λ figlio / ‘fiλλo/

∫ fascia / ‘fa∫∫a/

In the North of Italy there is a tendency to give less emphasis to the doubleconsonants when speaking, whereas in Southern Italy single consonants tend to bedoubled when positioned between two vowels.

Students need to pay special attention to the pronunciation of double consonants.Sometimes if the double consonant is not pronounced, then the word can take on adifferent meaning;

penna (pen) / ‘penna/ pena (punishment/pain etc) / ‘pena/sette (seven) / ‘sEtte/ sete (thirst) / ‘sete/rette (charge/line) / ‘rEtte/ rete (net) / ‘rete/fatto (fact) / ‘fatto/ fato (fate/destiny) / ‘fato/sanno (they know) / ‘sanno/ sano (healthy) / ‘sano/

ITALIAN VOWELS AND CONSONANTS

a2 Rules for written Italian.

In Italian some sounds are written in such a way that they can cause problems to thestudent as they do not correspond to the way the sounds are written in other languages;/ka/ casa / ‘kasa/ /ga/ gatto / ‘gatto/

/ko/ costa / ‘kosta/ /go/ go la / ‘gola/

/ku/ cucina /ku’t∫ina/ /gu/ angustia /an’gustia/

/ki/ chi amare /kja’mare/ /gi/ aghi / ‘agi/

/ke/ banche / ‘banke/ /ge/ paghe / ‘page/

/t∫a/ mancia / ‘mant∫a/ /£a/ fagiano /fa’£ano/

/t∫o/ micio / ‘mit∫o/ /£o/ gio co / ‘£Oko/

/t∫u/ ciu rma / ‘t∫urma/ /£u/ giu sto / ‘£usto/

/t∫e/ aceto /a’t∫eto/ /£e/ gente / ‘£Ente/

/t∫i/ cuci re ku’t∫ire/ /£i/ giglio / ‘£iλλo/

/ ∫ / sci mmia / ‘∫immja/

asci ugare /a∫∫u’gare/

/sk/ sche rzo / ‘skertso/

sca la / ‘skala/

/kw/ acqua / ‘akkwa/ /gw/ guerra / ‘gwErra/

/3/ ignorante / ‘i33orante/

/λ/ figli a / ‘fiλλa/

/ts/ zio / ‘tsio/

/dz/ zabaione /dzaba’jone/

ITALIAN VOWELS AND CONSONANTS

a3

abbreviation = it is usually a word which has been shortened, abbreviated, often for aparticular use.adjective > adj. un poco > un po’ (a little, a bit).stress = it is a symbol (accent) or usually a certain intonation (cf) of the voice whichindicates the stressed vowel (cf).virtù [vir’tu] capitano [kapi’tano].word stress = it is the intonation of the voice which stresses a particular syllable (cf.) in aword.agreement = it is the sequence of the different parts of speech. For example article (cf.) +noun (cf.) + adjective (cf.) are all in sequence according to the gender (cf.) and number(cf.): le belle ragazze (the pretty girls).accrescitivi = they are modified nouns or adjectives (cf. alteration) which express the ideaof something bigger, e.g.: una casona (a big house).affirmative = positive. Affirmative form (cf): for example in answers the affirmative formcorresponds to yes. It is the opposite of negative form (cf).affirmative form = a sentence in the affirmative form expresses a statement (yes), it is theopposite of the negative form and it is different from the interrogative and interrogative-ne-gative form.affirmation = opposite of negation. Cf affirmative form.adjective = bello, alto, mio, etc. They are words which are added to the noun (cf.) todescribe it.demonstrative adjectives and pronouns = questo, quello, etc. (this, that, etc.)possessive adjectives and pronouns = mio, tuo, suo, etc.alteration = alteration of the noun (cf.) or adjective (cf.): it is a change in the form of theadjective or noun to express a different idea from the original one. For example: un ragaz-zo piccolo = un ragazzino (a young boy).definite article = il, lo, l’, la, i, gli, le (the). Example: il cane (the dog).indefinite article = un, uno, una, un’ (a/an). Example: un cane (a dog).

GLOSSARY

a3

auxiliary = auxiliary verbs are used to form compound tenses and the passive (cf.).adverbs = they are invariable words (cf.) which are used to modify and specify themeaning of a verb or an adjective. Example : parlare lentamente (speak slowly). Un libromolto bello (a very good book).adverbs of frequency = sempre, spesso, a volte, mai, etc. (always, often, sometimes,never, etc.)action = it is expressed by a verb.comparatives = adjectives or adverbs which express a comparison (cf.) between two ormore elements.comparativo di maggioranza = it is expressed by più followed by an adjective or anadverb. Example: Flavio è più vecchio di me (Fabio is older than me.). The comparison isin favour of the first element.comparativo di minoranza = it is expressed by meno followed by an adjective or anadverb. Example: Flavio balla meno elegantemente di sua moglie (Fabio doesn’t dance aselegantly as his wife). The comparison is in favour of the second element.comparativo di uguaglianza = it is expressed by tanto/quanto or così/come with anadjective or an adverb. Example: Flavio è (tanto) simpatico quanto te (Flavio is as nice asyou.). The comparison is in favour of neither of the two elements.comparison = it can be between adjectives or adverbs, but also between nouns,pronouns and verbs.comparison of adverbs = adverbs can have comparative forms too, example: Sara ora sicomporta più intelligentemente di prima (Sara behaves more intelligently now than sheused to.).direct object = it answers the question : chi, che cosa? (who, what?) It undergoes theaction of the subject. It has no preposition. E.g.: ho visto Luca (I saw Luca).indirect object = in general, any phrase containing a preposition.agent = it is the phrase which indicates the subject performing the action in the passive.E.g.: la gazzella è stata uccisa dal leone (The gazelle was killed by the lion.)

GLOSSARY

a3

expressions of place = words which define the place; they answer the question: dove?Da dove? etc. (where, where from?, etc.) There are different expressions of place:direction (it indicates movement), state (it does not indicate movement), origin, etc. E.g.:vivo a Perugia, ma vado spesso a Roma per lavoro. (I live in Perugia, but I often go toRome for work.)expressions of time = words which define the time; they answer the question: quando?Per quanto tempo? Da quanto tempo? (When? For how long? How long?) They expressthe time, duration, etc. E.g.: Lunedì sono stato a teatro per cinque ore (I spent five hoursin the theatre on Monday.)sequence of tenses = it is the agreement of the tenses, for example between mainclause and subordinate clause (cf.).E.g.: Spero che tu stia bene (I hope you are well), but speravo che tu stessi bene (I hopedyou were well).conditional = finite form (cf.) of the verb.conditional = io avrei (I would have).perfect conditional = io avrei avuto (I would have had).present subjunctive = che io abbia.imperfect subjunctive = che io avessi.past and past perfect subjunctive = che io abbia avuto, che io avessi avuto.conjunction of cause = it introduces the cause. Poiché, dato che, etc. (because, as)conjunction of concession = it introduces a clause of concession. It indicates acircumstance which takes place but does not modify what is stated in the main clause(cf.). E.g.: nonostante faccia freddo, oggi pomeriggio esco in bicicletta (I’m going to ridemy bike this afternoon even though it’s cold.).conjunction of condition = it introduces the condition which is required by what is statedin the main clause. E.g.: se domani farà bello, andrò al mare (If the weather is nicetomorrow, I’ll go to the seaside).

GLOSSARY

a3

conjunction of result = it introduces the consequence of what is stated in the mainclause. E.g.: ieri faceva brutto cosicché non sono andato al mare (The weather wasn’tgood yesterday so I didn’t go to the seaside).coordinate conjunctions = they are used to join two main clauses. E.g.: e, o, anche, etc.(and, or, also, etc.) E.g.: c’è il sole e fa caldo (The sun is shining and it’s hot).conjunction of purpose = it introduces the clause which expresses the purpose of theaction in the main clause. E.g.: Ti do £ 20000 affinché tu vada al cinema (I’m giving you £20,000 so you can go to the cinema).subordinate conjunction = it is used to join two clauses in a single sentence, one clauseis the main clause, the other is the subordinate.conjunction of time = it joins two clauses by taking time into consideration. E.g.: quando,dopo che, mentre, etc. (when, after, while, etc.). Es.: quando dormo non desidero esseredisturbato (I don’t like being disturbed when I’m sleeping).consonant = in general, all the letters of the alphabet, except a, e, i, o, u.opposite = antonym.ending = it is the variable part at the end of a noun, an adjective, a pronoun or a verb.diminutivi = they are modified adjectives or nouns (cf. alteration) which contain the ideaof smallness and often express affection. E.g.: una ragazzina (a young girl); un giochino (alittle toy).demonstratives = demonstrative adjectives and pronouns; questo, quello, etc. They areused to indicate position in space and time.direct speech = when the exact words of a person are repeated without changinganything. It is introduced by “ “.reported speech = when what was said by someone is reported changing someelements. It is often introduced by the verb dire (say, tell) and che (that). E.g.: Giovanni miha detto che domani...... (Giovanni told me that tomorrow ...)diphthong = cf. syllable.exception = something which does not follow the rule.

GLOSSARY

a3

exclamations = words which are used to say something because of joy, admiration, etc.E.g.: Che bello! (How nice!)feminine = grammatical gender, opposite to masculine. There are only two grammaticalgenders in Italian: feminine and masculine.polite form = when you address someone in a formal way, using the structure with Lei.impersonal form = when the subject is not defined. Impersonal subjects are: si and, insome cases, tu, loro, etc.interrogative form = a sentence in the interrogative form expresses a question, it isdifferent from the negative and affirmative forms.interrogative-negative form = a sentence in the interrogative-negative form expresses anegative question, it is different from the negative and affirmative forms.negative form = a sentence in the negative form expresses a negation (no), it is theopposite of the affirmative form and different from the interrogative and interrogative-nega-tive forms.active = it is a form of the verb. The subject performs the action; e.g.: il cane ha morso ilbimbo (the dog bit the little boy). In the passive form instead the subject undergoes theaction; e.g.: il bimbo è stato morso dal cane (The little boy was bitten by the dog.).passive = it is a form of the verb. The subject undergoes the action; e.g.: il bimbo è statomorso dal cane (The little boy was bitten by the dog.). In the active form instead thesubject performs the action; e.g.: il cane ha morso il bimbo (The dog bit the little boy).formal = cf. formal register.modified forms = the modified forms of nouns, adjectives or adverbs are diminutivi, ac-crescitivi, etc. (cf.).unstressed pronouns = the unstressed forms of personal pronouns (cf.) are for example:mi, ti, ci, etc.stressed pronouns = the stressed forms of personal pronouns (cf.) are for example: ame, a te, a noi, etc.regular forms = when they follow the rule.

GLOSSARY

a3

irregular forms = when they do not follow the rule.affirmative sentence = cf. affirmative form.negative sentence = cf. negative form.frequency = this indicates how many times a certain word or something else is used.function = some functions: introducing oneself, greeting, etc.future time = future/tomorrow, present/today, past/yesterday.future = io avrò (I’ll have).future perfect = io avrò avuto (I will have had).future in the past = it indicates an action which happens in a future time in relation to thepast, however still past in relation to the present. E.g.: mi disse che sarebbe tornato presto(He told me he would come back soon).gender = it is the grammatical differentiation based on sex: feminine or masculine. It isimportant for the endings (cf.) of adjectives and nouns.gerund = indefinite form (cf.) of the verb.gerund = avendo (having).past gerund = avendo avuto (having had).imperative = finite form (cf.) of the verb.imperative with pronouns = compound form of the imperative with pronouns. E.g.: dagli(give him), parlategliene (speak to him about it).imperfect = io avevo (I had, I used to have).indefinite pronouns or adjectives = pronouns or adjectives which give indefiniteinformation. E.g.: qualche (some, any), qualcosa (something, anything), etc.present indicative = ho (I have).imperfect indicative = avevo (I had, I used to have).passato prossimo indicative = ho avuto (I had, I have had).passato remoto indicative = ebbi (I had).past perfect indicative = avevo avuto (I had had).trapassato remoto indicative = ebbi avuto (I had had).

GLOSSARY

a3

future indicative = avrò (I will have).future perfect indicative = avrò avuto (I will have had).infinitive = indefinite form (cf.) of the verb.present infinitive = avere (to have).perfect infinitive = avere avuto (to have had).informal = cf.informal register.intonation = they way the voice rises or falls when pronouncing a word or sentence.intransitive verb = a verb which is not followed by the direct object (cf.). It does notanswer the question: chi/che cosa? (Who/what?) E.g.: io parlo con mia madre (I’mspeaking to my mother).invariable = it does not change.letter = any element of the alphabet: a, b, c, etc.phrases = expressions or sentences; groups of two or more words which form a unit; e.g.:di solito, a proposito, andare giù (usually, by the way, go down).masculine = grammatical gender, different from the feminine. There are two grammaticalgenders in Italian: feminine and masculine.finite forms = forms of the verb which express the person. Indicative, conditional,subjunctive, imperative. E.g.: io vado (I’m going).indefinite forms = forms of the verb which do not express the person. Gerund, infinitive,participle. E.g.: andando (going).monosyllables = words containing only one syllable (cf.).noun = words which indicate animals, people, things, etc.abstract nouns = they are nouns indicating qualities which cannot be not perceived bythe senses. E.g.: amicizia (friendship), libertà (freedom), etc.concrete nouns = they are nouns which indicate tangible things. E.g.: cane (dog), libro(book), uomo (man), etc.non = word used to deny, say no.cardinal numbers = one, two, three, etc.

GLOSSARY

a3

ordinal numbers = first, second, third, etc.number = it is the grammatical differentiation between singular and plural (cf.). It isimportant for the endings (cf.) of verbs, adjectives and nouns.order = command.participle = indefinite form (cf.) of the verb.present participle = avente.past participle = avuto.partitive = it expresses a part of a whole. Partitive ne, e.g.: “Quanto zucchero vuoi?” “Neprendo due cucchiaini.” (How much sugar do you take? I’ll have two teaspoonfuls.)past time = past/yesterday, future/tomorrow, present/today.passato prossimo = tense of the indicative. Io ho avuto (I had, I have had).passato remoto = tense of the indicative. Io ebbi (I had).peggiorativi = they are modified adjectives or nouns (cf. alteration) which contain a nega-tive idea and express a negative opinion. E.g.: ragazzaccio (a bad boy).sentence = two or more clauses joined together forming a meaningful unit.hypothetical sentence = two or more clauses in which the subordinate (cf.) is introducedby se (if).person = io, tu, lui/lei, noi, voi, loro (I, you, he/she/it, we, you, they).plural = it indicates a number of people or things above one.prefix = particle added to the beginning of a word.preposition = di, a, da, in, con, su, per, tra, fra (of, to, from, in, with, on, for, between/among).compound form of the preposition with the article = di, a, da, in, con, su, per, tra, fraplus the definite article; e.g.: del, al, dal, etc. (of the, to the, from the, etc.)present time = present/today, past/yesterday, future/tomorrow.present indicative = io ho (I have).first person = singular: io (I), plural: noi (we).pronoun = word which replaces the noun.

GLOSSARY

a3personal pronoun = pronoun which indicates the person or thing.subject personal pronoun = io, tu, lui/lei, noi, voi, loro. They act as subject (cf.).object personal pronoun = personal pronouns which act as object: mi, ti, ci, me, te, etc.(me, you, us, etc.)combined personal pronoun = double personal pronouns: glielo, te le, etc. (it to him,them to you, etc.)unstressed forms of the personal pronouns = e.g.: mi, ti, ci, etc. They are unstressedbecause they are weak, they are supported by the verb.stressed forms of the personal pronouns = e.g.: a me, a te, a noi, etc. They arestressed because they are strong, they emphasise the pronoun.relative pronoun = it refers back to a previous noun or sentence. Che, cui, il quale, etc.(who, which, that, etc.)clause = a basic unit which expresses a thought. Two or more clauses joined togetherform a sentence.main clause = clause which governs other clauses.subordinate clause = clause which depends on the main clause.formal register = it refers to a way of using the language based on social context whichusually expresses respect, it is typical of relationships between people who are neitherfriends nor relatives. In the formal register the structure with Lei is used. It is the oppositeof informal.informal register = it refers to a way of using the language based on social context whichusually expresses friendship and friendliness, it is typical of relationships between peoplewho are either friends or relatives. In the informal register the structure with tu is used. It isthe opposite of formal.rule = the dominant norm in a language.answer = what is said, done or written following a question.second person = singular: tu (you), plural: voi (you).

GLOSSARY

a3syllable = basic unit in a language, formed by a vowel or by a vowel preceded andfollowed by one or more consonants. Sometimes there are two or more vowels together(diphthong, triphthong).phonetic symbol = a special way of writing words which reproduces the way they arepronounced: cane = /’kane/.singular = it indicates a number of people or things equivalent to one.synonym = a word which means the same thing as another.subject = the person, thing, etc. which performs the action.spregiativi = they are modified adjectives or nouns (cf. alteration) which contain a negati-ve idea and express scorn. E.g.: ragazzaccio (a very bad boy).structur e = the way the elements of a language are organized; or, sometimes:grammatical or syntactical rule.suffix = particle added at the end of a word.superlatives = adjectives or adverbs which express a certain quality at its maximum.superlativo assoluto = there is no comparison with other elements; it ends in -issimo.E.g.: un gatto bellissimo (a very pretty cat).superlativo relativo = there is a comparison with other elements. E.g.: il più bel film diFellini (Fellini’s best film).stem = part of the word which is left after the ending (cf.) has been taken away.compound tenses = tenses formed by an auxiliary (cf.) and a main verb; e.g.: passatoprossimo.term = word.third person = singular: lui/lei (he/she), plural: loro (they).transitive verb = verb followed by an object (cf.). It answers the question chi/che cosa?(who/what?) E.g.: mangio una mela (I’m eating an apple).past perfect = avevo avuto (I had had).trapassato remoto = ebbi avuto (I had had).

GLOSSARY

a3variable = something which changes. E.g.: masculine/feminine, singular/plural, etc.verb = word which indicates an action or a way of being.auxiliary verb = avere (to have) and essere (to be), in compound tenses. Venire and an-dare in the passive (cf.).impersonal verb = a verb without a definite subject.reflexive verbs = verbs in which the action falls back onto the subject; e.g.: io mi lavo (I’mgetting washed).vezzeggiativi = they are modified adjectives and nouns (cf. alteration) which expressaffection. E.g.: la mia casetta (my little house).vowel = the letters: a, e, i, o, u.stressed vowel = vowel where the stress falls.

GLOSSARY

INDEX

unità

A

A 24, 27, 29A (for place) 24A (for time) 27

A condizione che 70A costo di 89A forza di 89A meno che non 70A patto che 70Abbastanza 22, 57Accanto a 26Agreement of the past participle 31Accrescitivi 96Affinché’ 70, 96Adjectives 10 Possessive adjectives 11 Demonstrative adjectives 12Al 23Alcuno 55Modifying the noun 96Altrimenti 93Anche 92Anche se 95Anni 18, 23, 27Appena, non appena 94Definite articles 5

INDEX

unitàDefinite article with possessives 11Definite article with prepositions 23

Indefinite article 6Attraverso 26Avere, infinitive, present indicative 2Adverbs 21

Adverbs of manner, time, place,quantity, doubt 21

Adverbs of frequency 22.Confirming and denying adverbs 21

B

Bellissimo, superlativo assoluto 60Bello 10Benché’ 70Buono 10

C

Che 19, 20Che, relative pronoun 45Che cosa 19

Che ore sono? 17Chi 19, 45Chiunque 56

INDEX

unitàCi 42Ciascuno 55Cioè’ 92Codesto 12Come 20

Come se 95Comparatives 59, 61, 62, 70

Irregular comparatives 61Comparativo di maggioranza 59Comparativo di minoranza 59Comparativo di uguaglianza 59Comparative forms of adverbs 62.

Con 30Sequence of tenses 71, 72, 73Conditional 49, 50, 51, 74

Conditional 49, 50, 74Conditional - structure 49Conditional - use 50, 74Perfect conditional 51, 74

Subjunctive 66, 67, 68, 69, 70Present subjunctive - structure 66Imperfect subjunctive - structure 67Past and past perfect subjunctive - structure 68Subjunctive - use 69, 70

Coordinate conjunctions 92, 93Subordinate conjunctions 94, 95Così’...che/cosicché’ 95

INDEX

unitàCosì’...come 59Cui 45

D

Da 25, 28, 30Da (for place) 25Da (for time) 28Da dove 20Da quando 94Da... A... (For time) 28

Dal momento che 94Da & per + infinitive 87Dates, 20 dicembre 1999 18, 27Dato che 94Davanti a 25Dei, degli, delle 6, 23Del 23Dentro 25Di 28, 29

Di (for time) 28Di chi 19Di fianco a 26Dietro 25Diminutivi 96Demonstratives 12, 13

INDEX

unitàReported speech 81, 82, 83Dopo 28, 88

Dopo che 94Dopo che + future perfect 47Dopo che + trapassato remoto 80Dopo + perfect infinitive 88

Dove 20Dunque 92Durante 28

E

E 92Exclamations 20Essere, infinitive, present indicative 1

F

Fino a 26, 28Fino a (for place) 26Fino a (for time) 28

Finché’/fino a quando 94Impersonal form 79Negative, interrogative and interrogative-negative form 1Fra/tra 25, 30

Fra/tra (for place) 25

INDEX

unitàFuori 25Future 37Future perfect 47

G

Gender of nouns 7Gerund 90

I

Il cui, etc. 46Il più’..., superlativo relativo 60Il, lo, la, i, gli, le 5Il/la quale, i/le quali 46Imperative 63, 64, 65

Imperative - structure 63Imperative with pronouns 64Imperative - use 65

Imperfect 33, 34, 36, 52, 74Imperfect - structure 33Imperfect - use 34, 36, 52, 74

In 24, 27, 30In (for place) 24In (for time) 27

In modo da 89

INDEX

Indefiniti 54, 55, 56, 57, 58Indefinite - adjectives and pronouns 55Indefinite adjectives 54Indefinite pronouns 56

Present indicative 3, 4Present indicative (regular verbs) 3Present indicative (irregular verbs) 4

Infinitive 84, 85, 86, 87,88, 89

Present infinitive 84, 85, 86, 88, 89Perfect infinitive 88Infinitive with other expressions 89

Question words 19, 20Invece di 89Io, tu, lui, etc. 38

L

The time 17Lo, la, li, le, pronouns 40Lontano da 26Loro, impersonal form 79Lungo 26

unità

INDEX

unità

M

Ma 92Mai 22Malgrado 70Me, te, stressed personal pronouns 39Me lo, te lo, glielo, combined personal pronouns 44Meglio, comparative form of the adverb 62Meno 59, 60Mentre 28, 94Mi, ti, unstressed personal pronouns 40Mica 21Migliore, irregular comparatives 61Mio, tuo, suo, possessive adjectives and pronouns 11Indefinite forms 84, 85, 86, 88, 89Molto 22, 58

N

Ne 42Ne partitivo 43

Né’...né’ 91Neanche 92Nel 23Nel caso che 70Nemmeno 93

INDEX

unitàNeppure 93Nessuno 55Niente/nulla 56Masculine and feminine nouns 7Nonostante 70Cardinal numbers 15Ordinal numbers 16

O

O 92Ogni 54Ognuno 56Oppure 93

P

Parecchio 57Participle 91

Past participle 31, 91Agreement of the past participle 31Present participle 91

Passato prossimo 31, 32, 36Passato remoto 35, 36Passive 75, 76Peggio, comparative form of the adverb 62

INDEX

unitàPeggiorativi 96Peggiore, irregular comparatives 61Per 26, 27, 30

Per (for place) 26Per (for time) 27

Perché 20, 94Perciò’ 93Hypothetical clauses 74Però’ 93Più’ 59, 60Plural of nouns 8, 9

Irregular plurals of nouns 9Poco 22, 57Poiché’ 94Potrei 14Prepositions 23, 24, 27, 29, 30Compound prepositions with the definite article 23

Prepositions of place 24Prepositions of time 27

Present indicative 1, 2, 3, 4Present indicative of the verb essere 1Present indicative of the verb avere 2

Prima 28Prima che 70, 89, 94Prima di 89

Primo, secondo, terzo, ordinal numbers 16Demonstrative pronouns 13

INDEX

unitàPersonal pronouns 38, 39, 40, 44Subject personal pronouns 38Object personal pronouns - stressed forms 39Object personal pronouns - unstressed forms 40Combined personal pronouns 44

Possessive pronouns 11Relative pronouns 45, 46Proprio 11Purché’ 70Pure 93

Q

Qualche 54Qualcosa 56Qualcuno 56Quale 19Qualsiasi/qualunque 54Quando 20, 47, 94Quanto 19, 20Questo, quello, demonstratives 12, 13Quindi 93

INDEX

unità

S

Salvo che/tranne che 94Se 74, 95Sé 39Sebbene 70Secoli 18, 23, 27Sempre 22Senza 89Senza che 70Impersonal si 78Passive structure with si 77Sia...sia 92Siccome 94Sotto 25Spesso 22Stare + gerund 52Stare per + infinitive 53Su 30

Su (for place) 25Sul 23

Superlatives 60, 61, 62Superlative form of the adverb 62Irregular superlatives 61Superlativo assoluto 60Superlativo relativo 60

INDEX

unità

T

Tanto 58Tanto....quanto 59Tenses and forms of the verb:

Io sono, etc. 1Io ho, etc. 2Io ho, present indicative 2, 3, 4Io ho avuto, passato prossimo 31, 32, 36Io avevo, imperfect 34, 36, 52, 74Io ebbi, passato remoto 35, 36Io avrò’, future 37Io avrò’ avuto, future perfect 47Io avevo avuto, past perfect 48Io avrei, conditional 49, 50Io avrei avuto, perfect conditional 51, 74Abbi...!, affermative form of the imperative 63, 65Non avere...!, negative form of the imperative 63, 65(Che) io abbia, present subjunctive 66, 69, 70(Che) io abbia avuto, past subjunctive 66, 68, 69, 70(Che) io avessi avuto, past perfect subjunctive 68, 69, 70(Che) io avessi, imperfect subjunctive 67, 68, 69, 70Io ebbi avuto, trapassato remoto 80Io sto mangiando 52Io sto per mangiare 53Avendo, gerund 90Avente, present participle 91

INDEX

unitàAvuto, past participle 31,91Avere, present infinitive 2, 84, 85, 86, 88, 89Avere avuto, perfect infinitive 88

Tra/fra (for time) 27Past perfect 48Trapassato remoto 80Troppo 22, 58Tu, impersonal form 79Tuttavia 93Tutto 58

UUn po’ 22, 57Un, uno, una, un’ 6Uno, due, tre, cardinal numbers, etc. 15Uno, indefinite 56Uno, impersonal form 79

VVari, diversi 57Venire/andare, passive 76Reflexive verbs 41Verbs/adjectives + a + infinitive 85Verbs/adjectives + di + infinitive 86Vicino a 26Visto che 94Vorrei 14

TABLE OF CONTENTS

UNITA’ 1 THE VERB ESSERE -INFINITIVE -PRESENT INDICATIVE(io sono, tu sei, ecc.) (I am, you are, etc)

UNITA’ 2 THE VERB AVERE (INFINITIVE-PRESENT INDICATIVE)(io ho, tu hai, ecc.) (I have, you have etc)

UNITA’ 3 PRESENT INDICATIVE (REGULAR VERBS)(io amo, tu vedi, ecc.) ( I love, you see, etc)

UNITA’ 4 PRESENT INDICATIVE (IRREGULAR VERBS)(io vado, tu vai, etc.) (I go, you go etc)

UNITA’ 5 FORMS OF THE DEFINITE ARTICLE(il, lo, l’, la, i, gli, le) (The)

UNITA’ 6 THE INDEFINITE ARTICLE (un, uno, una) (a, an)

UNITA’ 7 NOUNS AND GENDER(maschile, femminile) (masculine, feminine)

UNITA’ 8 THE PLURAL FORMS OF NOUNS (1)(il libro - i libri) (the book- the books)

UNITA’ 9 IRREGULAR PLURAL FORMS OF NOUNS (1)(l’uomo-gli uomini) (the man-the men)

TABLE OF CONTENTS

UNITA’ 10 ADJECTIVES(alto, bello, ecc.) ( tall, beautiful etc.)

UNITA’ 11 POSSESSIVE ADJECTIVES AND PRONOUNS(la mia casa e la tua) (my house and yours)

UNITA’ 12 DEMONSTRATIVE ADJECTIVES(questo libro, quella casa) (this book, that house)

UNITA’ 13 DEMONSTRATIVE PRONOUN(questa + la mia casa) (this is my house)

UNITA’ 14 VORREI E POTREI(vorrei una birra, per favore, ecc.) (I’d like a beer, please, etc.)

UNITA’ 15 CARDINAL NUMBERS(uno, due, tre, ecc.) (one, two, three, etc.)

UNITA’ 16 ORDINAL NUMBERS(primo, secondo, ecc.)(first, second, etc)

UNITA’ 17 THE TIME(sono le 10 e mezza)(it’s half past ten)

UNITA’ 18 DATES, YEARS AND CENTURIES(30 dicembre 1995 - XX secolo) (30th December 1995-XX century)

TABLE OF CONTENTS

UNITA’ 19 QUESTION WORDS (1)(chi?, che cosa?, ecc.) (who?, what?, etc.)

UNITA’ 20 QUESTION WORDS (2) AND EXCLAMATIONS(perch+?, dove?, quanto!, etc.) (why?,where?, What a ...!)

UNITA’ 21 ADVERBS (1)(facilmente, bene, ecc.) (easily, well, etc.)

UNITA’ 22 ADVERBS(2)(molto, sempre, ecc.) (much, always, etc.)

UNITA’ 23 COMPOUND PREPOSITIONS WITH THE DEFINITE ARTICLE(nel, del, sul, ecc.) (in the, of the, on the, etc.)

UNITA’ 24 PREPOSITIONS OF PLACE(in, a) (in, at)

UNITA’ 25 PREPOSITIONS AND EXPRESSIONS OF PLACE (1)(da, su, fuori, ecc.) (from, on, outside etc.)

UNITA’ 26 PREPOSITIONS AND OTHER EXPRESSIONS OF POSITION(2)(accanto a, per, ecc.) (next to, ) etc

UNITA’ 27 TIME PREPOSITIONS (1)(a, in, per, tra) (at, in, for)

TABLE OF CONTENTS

UNITA’ 28 TIME PREPOSITIONS (2)(da, di, fino a, ecc.) (since/for, in, until etc)

UNITA’ 29 PREPOSITIONS (1)(di, a, da) (of/in/about, to, by etc)

UNITA’ 30 PREPOSITIONS (2)(in, con, su, ecc.) (by, with, about, etc)

UNITA’ 31 IL PASSATO PROSSIMO (1)(io ho mangiato) (I’ve eaten, I ate)

UNITA’ 32 IL PASSATO PROSSIMO (2)(loro sono andati, mi sono lavata) (they have gone/they went etc)

UNITA’ 33 THE IMPERFECT - FORM(mangiavo, andavi, ecc.) (I ate, I was eating, I used to eat)

UNITA’ 34 IMPERFECT - USE(mentre andavo a casa, ecc.) (while I was going home, etc.)

UNITA’ 35 IL PASSATO REMOTO(io ebbi, noi fummo) (I was, we were)

UNITA’ 36 IMPERFECT/PASSATO PROSSIMO/PASSATO REMOTO(io andavo vs. io andai/sono andato) (I was going vs. I went/ I have gone)

TABLE OF CONTENTS

UNITA’ 37 THE FUTURE SIMPLE(canterò, leggerò, ecc.) (I will/ I’m going to sing/I’m singing)

UNITA’ 38 SUBJECT PRONOUNS(io, tu, ecc.) (I, you, etc.)

UNITA’ 39 STRESSED OBJECT PRONOUNS(me, a te, ecc.) (me, to you etc.)

UNITA’ 40 UNSTRESSED OBJECT PRONOUNS(mi, ti, ecc.) (me, you, etc.)

UNITA’ 41 REFLEXIVE VERBS(lavarsi, svegliarsi) (get washed, wake up)

UNITA’ 42 CI AND NE(ci vado domani, ne parlerò bene)(I’m going there tomorrow, I’ll speak well about it))

UNITA’ 43 THE PARTITIVE NE(ne voglio tre) (I want three of them)

UNITA’ 44 COMBINED PRONOUNS(me lo, gliene, ecc.)

UNITA’ 45 RELATIVE PRONOUNS (1)(che, cui, ecc.) (who, which, that, etc.)

TABLE OF CONTENTS

UNITA’ 46 RELATIVE PRONOUNS (2)(il quale, della quale, ecc.) (who, of which, etc.)

UNITA’ 47 FUTURE PERFECT(avrò mangiato, sarai andato) (I will have eaten, you will have gone)

UNITA’ 48 PAST PERFECT(avevo mangiato, eri andato) (I had eaten, you had gone)

UNITA’ 49 CONDITIONAL - STRUCTURE(mangerei, andresti) (I would eat, you would go)

UNITA’ 50 CONDITIONAL - USE(mangeresti una mela?, ecc.) (would you eat an apple?, etc.)

UNITA’ 51 PERFECT CONDITIONAL(avrei mangiato, saresti andato)(I would have eaten, you would have gone)

UNITA’ 52 STARE + GERUND(sto mangiando) (be + -ing, e.g. I am eating)

UNITA’ 53 STARE PER + INFINITIVE(sto per mangiare) (to be going to + infinitive, e.g. I am going to eat)

UNITA’ 54 INDEFINITE ADJECTIVES(ogni, qualche, ecc.) (every, some, etc.)

TABLE OF CONTENTS

UNITA’ 55 INDEFINITE ADJECTIVES AND PRONOUNS(alcuno, nessuno, ecc.) (some, any, no, etc.)

UNITA’ 56 INDEFINITE PRONOUNS(niente, ognuno, ecc.) (nothing, no one, etc.)

UNITA’ 57 QUANTIFIERS (1)(un po’, poco, abbastanza, ecc.) (little, few, enough, etc.)

UNITA’ 58 QUANTIFIERS (2)(molto, tutto, ecc.) (many, all, etc.)

UNITA’ 59 COMPARATIVES(più bello, più alto) (more beautiful, taller)

UNITA’ 60 SUPERLATIVES(il più bello, il più alto) (the most beautiful, the tallest)

UNITA’ 61 IRREGULAR COMPARATIVES AND SUPERLATIVES - OTHER FORMS(buono, migliore, ottimo, ecc.) (good, better, best, etc.)

UNITA’ 62 COMPARATIVE AND SUPERLATIVE ADVERBS(bene, meglio, benissimo, ecc.) (well, better, very well, etc.)

UNITA’ 63 IMPERATIVE - STRUCTURE(mangia!, andate!, non andare!) (eat!, go!, don’t go!)

TABLE OF CONTENTS

UNITA’ 64 IMPERATIVE WITH PRONOUNS(mangialo!, andateci!, non parlargli!)(eat it!, go there!, don’t speak to him!)

UNITA’ 65 IMPERATIVE - USE(torna qui!) (come back here!)

UNITA’ 66 PRESENT SUBJUNCTIVE - STRUCTURE(che io mangi, che tu vada)

UNITA’ 67 IMPERFECT SUBJUNCTIVE - STRUCTURE(che io mangiassi, che tu andassi)

UNITA’ 68 PAST AND PAST PERFECT SUBJUNCTIVE - STRUCTURE(che io abbia mangiato, che tu fossi andato)

UNITA’ 69 SUBJUNCTIVE - USE (1)(penso che l’inglese sia facile, ecc.) (I think English is easy, etc.)

UNITA’ 70 SUBJUNCTIVE - USE (2)(affinché, benché, ecc.) (so that, although, etc.)

UNITA’ 71 SEQUENCE OF TENSES - WITH THE INDICATIVE(sono sicuro che tu mangi molto, ecc.) (I’m sure you eat a lot, etc.)

UNITA’ 72 SEQUENCE OF TENSES (1) - WITH THE SUBJUNCTIVE(spero che tu mangi, ecc.) (I hope you’ll eat, etc.)

TABLE OF CONTENTS

UNITA’ 73 SEQUENCE OF TENSE (2) - WITH THE SUBJUNCTIVE(speravo che tu andassi, ecc.) (I hoped you would go etc.)

UNITA’ 74 HYPOTHETICAL CLAUSES(se tu mangerai, io...., ecc.) (if you eat, I’ll ..., etc.)

UNITA’ 75 THE PASSIVE (1)(sono stato aiutato, ecc.) (I have been helped, etc.)

UNITA’ 76 THE PASSIVE (2) - VENIRE/ANDARE(il giornale viene letto, ecc.) (the newspaper is/gets read, etc.)

UNITA’ 77 PASSIVE STRUCTURES WITH SI(a Firenze si insegna l’italiano, ecc.)(Italian is taught in Florence, etc.)

UNITA’ 78 IMPERSONAL SI(si mangia molto qui, ecc.) (You eat a lot here, etc.)

UNITA’ 79 IMPERSONAL STRUCTURES WITH LORO, TU AND UNO(hanno mangiato tutto, ecc.) (they have eaten everything, etc.)

UNITA’ 80 THE TRAPASSATO REMOTO(ebbi mangiato, fosti andato) (I had eaten, you had gone, etc.)

UNITA’ 81 REPORTED SPEECH (1)(lui dice che ha mangiato tutto, ecc.)(he says he has eaten everything, etc.)

TABLE OF CONTENTS

UNITA’ 82 REPORTED SPEECH (2)(lui crede che io vada..., ecc.) (he thinks I’m going ..., etc.)

UNITA’ 83 REPORTED SPEECH (3)(lui dice che quella è la sua casa, ecc.)(he says that is his house, etc.)

UNITA’ 84 INDEFINITE FORMS - PRESENT INFINITIVE(mangiare, andare) (to eat, to go)

UNITA’ 85 VERBS/ADJECTIVES + DI + INFINITIVE(spero di andare, etc.) (I hope to go, etc.)

UNITA’ 86 VERBS/ADJECTIVES + A + INFINITIVE(non riesco a mangiare, etc.) (I can’t eat, etc.)

UNITA’ 87 DA & PER + INFINITIVE(un libro da leggere, etc.) (a book to read, etc.)

UNITA’ 88 PERFECT INFINITIVE(avere mangiato, essere andato) (have eaten, have gone)

UNITA’ 89 OTHER EXPRESSIONS WITH THE INFINITIVE(prima di, senza, etc.) (before, without, etc.)

UNITA’ 90 INDEFINITE FORMS - THE GERUND(mangiando, essendo andato) (eating, having gone)

TABLE OF CONTENTS

UNITA’ 91 INDEFINITE FORMS - PARTICIPLE(mangiante, andato) (eating, gone)

UNITA’ 92 COORDINATE CONJUNCTIONS (1)(e, o, né...né, etc.) (and, or, neither ...nor, etc.)

UNITA’ 93 COORDINATE CONJUNCTIONS (2)(tuttavia, perciò, etc.) (nevertheless, therefore, etc.)

UNITA’ 94 SUBORDINATE CONJUNCTIONS (1)(poiché, quando, etc.) (as, when, etc.)

UNITA’ 95 SUBORDINATE CONJUNCTIONS (2)(anche se, se, etc.) (even if, if, etc.)

UNITA’ 96 MODIFYING NOUNS AND ADJECTIVES(bellino, casetta, etc.) (pretty, little house, etc.)

APPENDIX 1 ITALIAN PHONETIC SYMBOLS

APPENDIX 2 ITALIAN VOWELS AND CONSONANTS

APPENDIX 3 GLOSSARY

INDEX

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CREDITS

Traduzioni : Vignette:Francese: Abel Herrero

Alba PessiniElena Pessini . Registrazioni audio:

Inglese: Roberto AbbatiAnila Scott-Monkhouse Cristina CimicchiPatricia Taylor . Francesco Mezzadri

Spagnolo: Viola Pacin i.Elsa Orellana .

Tedesco: Ha collaborato:Gabriele Teutsch . Linuccio Pederzani

Realizzazione software: HiLite Comunicazione Digitale Interattiva Parma

Si ringrazia :Scuola di lingue Teletra di Parma; Centro linguistico, Università di Parma;Escuela de Idiomas Modernos, facultad de Humanidades y Educación,Universidad Central de Venezuela; Facultad de Lenguas, Universidad deLa Habana; Scuola Cocconi di Parma; Scuola Carducci di Reggio Emilia;Sprachenzentrum, Universität Erlangen-N ürnberg.

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