Prepositions play a crucial role in Italian grammar, and one important category is prepositions of time (preposizioni di tempo). Prepositions of time are used to indicate when an action or event takes place in relation to another element in a sentence. In this guide, we will explore the different prepositions of time in Italian, along with their usage and examples.
Introduction to Prepositions:
Prepositions are words that establish relationships between nouns, pronouns, or other elements in a sentence. They often indicate location, direction, time, or manner. In the case of prepositions of time, they specifically indicate the time when an action occurs.
Common Italian Prepositions of Time:
There are several prepositions of time commonly used in Italian. Let’s take a look at some of them:
A:
This preposition is used to indicate a specific point in time or a duration. It can be translated as “at” or “to” in English. For example:
Vado al cinema alle 8. (I’m going to the cinema at 8 o’clock.)
Studio italiano per due ore al giorno. (I study Italian for two hours a day.)
In:
The preposition “in” is used to indicate a period of time or a month. It can be translated as “in” or “during” in English. For example:
Sono nato in aprile. (I was born in April.)
Leggo un libro in due giorni. (I read a book in two days.)
Da:
The preposition “da” is used to indicate the starting point of a period of time. It can be translated as “since” or “from” in English. For example:
Studio italiano da settembre. (I have been studying Italian since September.)
Abito qui da tre anni. (I have been living here for three years.)
Per:
The preposition “per” is used to indicate the duration of an action. It can be translated as “for” in English. For example:
Ho aspettato per un’ora. (I waited for an hour.)
Vado in vacanza per due settimane. (I’m going on vacation for two weeks.)
tra/Fra:
These prepositions can also be used to express a time interval between two events. They are often translated as “between” or “in” in English. For example:
Ho una riunione tra/fra le 2 e le 3. (I have a meeting between 2 and 3 o’clock.)
L’esame è previsto tra/fra una settimana e 10 giorni. (The exam is scheduled between one week and 10 days.)
Entro:
The preposition “entro” is used to indicate a deadline or a specific time by which an action must be completed. It can be translated as “by” or “within” in English. For example:
Devi consegnare il lavoro entro domani. (You have to submit the work by tomorrow.)
L’appuntamento è entro le 6 di sera. (The appointment is within 6 p.m.)
Dopo:
The preposition “dopo” means “after” in English. It is used to indicate that one event occurs after another. For example:
Esco di casa dopo colazione. (I leave the house after breakfast.)
La riunione è dopo la lezione. (The meeting is after the lesson.)
Prima di:
The preposition “prima di” means “before” in English. It indicates that an action occurs prior to another event. For example:
Devi studiare prima di fare l’esame. (You need to study before taking the exam.)
Arriverò prima di te. (I will arrive before you.)
Usage and Examples:
Now let’s look at some example sentences that demonstrate the usage of prepositions of time in Italian:
A:
Vado al cinema alle 8. (I’m going to the cinema at 8 o’clock.)
L’autobus parte alle 6 di mattina. (The bus departs at 6 in the morning.)
In:
Sono nato in aprile. (I was born in April.)
Lavoro in ufficio durante la settimana. (I work in the office during the week.)
Da:
Studio italiano da settembre. (I have been studying Italian since September.)
Abito qui da tre anni. (I have been living here for three years.)
Per:
Ho aspettato per un’ora. (I waited for an hour.)
Vado in vacanza per due settimane. (I’m going on vacation for two weeks.)
Tra/Fra:
Tornerò tra/fra un’ora. (I will be back in an hour.)
La festa è tra/fra il 20 e il 25 giugno. (The party is between the 20th and the 25th of June.)
Entro:
Devi consegnare il lavoro entro domani. (You have to submit the work by tomorrow.)
Bisogna pagare l’affitto entro il quinto del mese. (The rent must be paid by the fifth of the month.)
Dopo:
Esco di casa dopo colazione. (I leave the house after breakfast.)
Il film inizia dopo le 9 di sera. (The movie starts after 9 p.m.)
Prima di:
Devi studiare prima di fare l’esame. (You need to study before taking the exam.)
Arriverò prima di te. (I will arrive before you.)
Remember that prepositions of time can often be combined with other words or phrases to provide more specific information about the time. It is important to practice using these prepositions in context to become more comfortable and accurate in expressing time-related concepts in Italian.
In conclusion, prepositions of time play a significant role in Italian grammar when indicating the timing of events or actions. Understanding how to use prepositions such as “a,” “in,” “da,” “per,” “tra/fra,” “entro,” “dopo,” and “prima di” can greatly enhance your ability to communicate effectively in Italian. By familiarizing yourself with these prepositions and practicing their usage through examples, you can gradually develop a strong foundation in expressing time-related concepts in the Italian language.
Originally posted 2023-07-14 16:53:17.