Italian prepositions play a crucial role in sentence structure and convey important relationships between words and phrases. One aspect of Italian prepositions that beginners often find challenging is the concept of contracted prepositions. In this guide, we will provide a brief and accurate explanation of Italian contracted prepositions, along with example sentences to illustrate their usage
Understanding Prepositions in Italian
Before delving into contracted prepositions, it is essential to have a basic understanding of prepositions in Italian. Prepositions are words that link nouns, pronouns, and phrases to other words in a sentence, indicating various relationships such as location, direction, time, manner, and cause. In Italian, prepositions are typically placed before the noun or pronoun they modify.
Contracted Prepositions in Italian
Contracted prepositions are formed when certain prepositions combine with definite articles in Italian. Definite articles, like “the” in English, indicate that a noun refers to something specific. In Italian, definite articles agree in gender (masculine or feminine) and number (singular or plural) with the noun they accompany.
The following prepositions can contract with definite articles:
Di (of, from)
A (to, at)
Da (from, by)
In (in, into, to)
Su (on, upon)
Contracted Prepositions with Definite Articles
Here are the contracted forms of prepositions with definite articles:
Di + il = del
Example: Ho bisogno del libro. (I need the book.)
Explanation: “Del” is formed by contracting the preposition “di” with the definite article “il.” It indicates possession or belonging.
A + il = al
Example: Vado al cinema. (I’m going to the cinema.)
Explanation: “Al” is the contracted form of the preposition “a” and the definite article “il.” It expresses movement towards a specific location.
Da + il = dal
Example: Sono venuto dal dottore. (I came from the doctor.)
Explanation: “Dal” is formed by combining the preposition “da” with the definite article “il.” It indicates the origin or source of an action.
In + il = nel
Example: Metti il libro nel cassetto. (Put the book in the drawer.)
Explanation: “Nel” is the contraction of the preposition “in” with the definite article “il.” It denotes the location of an object or person.
Su + il = sul
Example: Il gatto è sul tavolo. (The cat is on the table.)
Explanation: “Sul” is the contracted form of the preposition “su” and the definite article “il.” It expresses the position or location of something.
Contracted Prepositions with Definite Articles (Feminine Forms)
Here are the contracted forms of prepositions with feminine definite articles:
Di + la = della
Example: Ho comprato della frutta. (I bought some fruit.)
Explanation: “Della” is formed by contracting the preposition “di” with the feminine definite article “la.” It indicates possession or belonging.
A + la = alla
Example: Vado alla spiaggia. (I’m going to the beach.)
Explanation: “Alla” is the contracted form of the preposition “a” and the feminine definite article “la.” It expresses movement towards a specific location.
Da + la = dalla
Example: Sono partito dalla stazione. (I left from the station.)
Explanation: “Dalla” is the contraction of the preposition “da” with the feminine definite article “la.” It indicates the origin or source of an action.
In + la = nella
Example: Metti la penna nella borsa. (Put the pen in the bag.)
Explanation: “Nella” is the contraction of the preposition “in” with the feminine definite article “la.” It denotes the location of an object or person.
Su + la = sulla
Example: Il quadro è sulla parete. (The painting is on the wall.)
Explanation: “Sulla” is the contracted form of the preposition “su” and the feminine definite article “la.” It expresses the position or location of something.
Contracted Prepositions with Plural Definite Articles
When combined with plural definite articles, the contracted prepositions undergo slight changes. Here are the forms:
Di + i = dei
Example: Ho comprato dei regali. (I bought some gifts.)
Explanation: “Dei” is formed by contracting the preposition “di” with the plural definite article “i.” It indicates possession or belonging.
A + i = ai
Example: Vado ai negozi. (I’m going to the shops.)
Explanation: “Ai” is the contracted form of the preposition “a” and the plural definite article “i.” It expresses movement towards a specific location.
Da + i = dai
Example: Sono tornato dai miei amici. (I came back from my friends.)
Explanation: “Dai” is the contraction of the preposition “da” and the plural definite article “i.” It indicates the origin or source of an action.
In + i = nei
Example: Metti i libri nei ripiani. (Put the books on the shelves.)
Explanation: “Nei” is the contraction of the preposition “in” with the plural definite article “i.” It denotes the location of objects or people.
Su + i = sui
Example: I quaderni sono sui tavoli. (The notebooks are on the tables.)
Explanation: “Sui” is the contracted form of the preposition “su” and the plural definite article “i.” It expresses the position or location of something.
Contracted Prepositions with Plural Definite Articles (Feminine Forms)
Here are the contracted forms of prepositions with plural feminine definite articles:
Di + le = delle
Example: Ho comprato delle scarpe. (I bought some shoes.)
Explanation: “Delle” is formed by contracting the preposition “di” with the plural feminine definite article “le.” It indicates possession or belonging.
A + le = alle
Example: Vado alle lezioni. (I’m going to the lessons.)
Explanation: “Alle” is the contracted form of the preposition “a” and the plural feminine definite article “le.” It expresses movement towards a specific location.
Da + le = dalle
Example: Sono partito dalle mie amiche. (I left from my friends.)
Explanation: “Dalle” is the contraction of the preposition “da” with the plural feminine definite article “le.” It indicates the origin or source of an action.
In + le = nelle
Example: Metti le carte nelle buste. (Put the cards in the envelopes.)
Explanation: “Nelle” is the contraction of the preposition “in” with the plural feminine definite article “le.” It denotes the location of objects or people.
Su + le = sulle
Example: Le foto sono sulle pareti. (The photos are on the walls.)
Explanation: “Sulle” is the contracted form of the preposition “su” and the plural feminine definite article “le.” It expresses the position or location of something.
Conclusion
Italian contracted prepositions can seem daunting at first, but with practice and exposure to examples, beginners can gradually grasp their usage. Remember that contracted prepositions occur when specific prepositions combine with definite articles, and the resulting forms depend on gender (masculine or feminine) and number (singular or plural). By understanding the rules and practicing with various sentences, learners can develop fluency in using contracted prepositions and enhance their overall Italian language skills.
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Originally posted 2023-07-14 17:08:24.