One of the most insidious obstacles on the way to speaking correct Italian is distinguishing the different uses of the verbs conoscere and sapere which both translate as “to know”. The problem, in its simplest representation, is the following: In this article, we will first examine these two verbs separately, then we will look in …
Apologies can be quite challenging. Even the legendary Elton John, in all his musical glory, admitted that “sorry” seems to be the hardest word. Add to that the fact that we have many ways to say sorry in Italian and it becomes clear that apologising can be quite complex. Given its richness and expressive nature, …
Welcome to our third encounter with the subjunctive: if you have read our previous articles, you should have a clear idea of how to use this important verb mood; if you have not read them yet, you can find them here and here. Today we will conclude our journey by talking about the subjunctive ‘in …
In this article, I’d like to explore a very common error that learners of Italian, especially native English speakers, tend to make. It concerns two expressions: avere senso and fare senso. Although they both contain the word senso (sense), the difference in their meaning couldn’t be greater. Avere senso / Fare senso In English, when …
10 motivi per visitare l’Italia più uno per non andare Italy, a global favorite among travellers, hardly needs an introduction. It’s a land that effortlessly stitches together vibrant art cities, world-class museums, and enchanting villages, all under its irresistible cuisine. It’s enough to make you want to pack up and catch the next flight. L’Italia, …
Mother’s Day is coming up! The second Sunday of May is recognised in Italy, as well as many other countries around the world, as Mother’s Day (la Festa della Mamma) – the day to celebrate our amazing mothers. In Italy, Mother’s Day as it is celebrated today is a relatively new holiday. This holiday and …