Italian and Spanish are both Romance languages, which means they share a lot of similarities in terms of grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation. Do you already speak Spanish, and now wonder how easy it would be to pick up Italian? Which languages are easiest to learn depend on your background and the other languages you are most familiar with. For example, in addition to Spanish, if you also speak French or Portuguese, this will help you learn Italian faster.
In this blog post, we will explore this question in more detail, examining the similarities and differences between the two languages and how they affect the learning process.
Vocabulary
Spanish and Italian are two Romance languages that share many similarities, including a significant amount of lexical similarity (82%). In fact, many words in both languages are either identical or very similar in form and meaning. Let’s take a closer look at some examples of lexical similarity between Spanish and Italian.
Cognates:
Cognates are words that have a similar form and meaning in two languages. Spanish and Italian share a large number of cognates, making it easier for Spanish speakers to learn Italian vocabulary. Both Spanish and Italian have borrowed words from other languages, particularly from Latin and Greek. These borrowed words often have similar forms and meanings in both languages. Many words are identical or very similar in form and meaning, making it easier to learn Italian vocabulary. For example, the following words are almost identical in both languages:
- El vino – il vino
- La casa – la casa
- El libro – il libro
- El verde – il verde
- El problema – il problema
- La historia – la storia
- La música – la musica
- La hora – l’ora
- La familia – la famiglia
- El color – il colore
- La idea – l’idea
- El dolor – Il dolore
These words are very similar in both languages and have the same or a similar meaning. However, it’s important to note that there are also many false cognates, or words that look or sound similar in both languages but have different meanings. So, while there are many similarities between Spanish and Italian, it’s always important to learn the proper meaning and usage of each word in its respective language.
Similar Words with Slightly Different Forms:
Some words in Spanish and Italian have slightly different forms, but are still very similar in meaning. For example:
- La comida – il cibo (food)
- El pescado – il pesce (fish)
- La leche – la latte (milk)
- El corazón – il cuore (heart)
Alphabet
The similarities between the Spanish and Italian alphabets can be helpful for people who are learning Italian and already speak Spanish. Both languages use the Latin alphabet, which means that the basic set of letters is the same. This can make it easier for Spanish speakers to learn Italian, as they will already be familiar with the letters and their sounds.
While the Spanish and Italian alphabets have some differences, they share many similarities. For example, both alphabets have the letters a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h, i, l, m, n, o, p, q, r, s, t, u, and z. This means that Spanish speakers will already be familiar with the majority of the Italian alphabet.
The similarities between the Spanish and Italian alphabets can be a helpful starting point for Spanish speakers who are learning Italian, as it provides a familiar foundation to build upon.
Pronunciation
Spanish and Italian are both Romance languages and therefore share many similarities in terms of pronunciation. However, there are also some notable differences between the two languages.
One of the main differences between Spanish and Italian pronunciation is the way certain letters are pronounced. In Spanish, the letter “c” is pronounced as “s” when it comes before the letters “e” and “i” in South American Spanish, or as a “th” in Spain Spanish, while in Italian, it is pronounced as “ch” in the same context. For example, the Spanish word ciudad is pronounced as “see-you-dad”, while the Italian word città is pronounced as “chee-ttah”.
Another difference is in the pronunciation of the letter “r”. In Spanish, the “r” sound is produced by vibrating the tip of the tongue against the roof of the mouth, while in Italian, it is produced by trilling the “r” sound with the tip of the tongue against the alveolar ridge. The Spanish “r” is often described as a “single” or “soft” “r”, while the Italian “r” is a “rolled” or “hard” “r”.
There are also differences in the way certain vowel sounds are pronounced. In Spanish, the letter “e” is typically pronounced as “eh”, while in Italian, it is pronounced as “ay”. Similarly, the Spanish “o” is pronounced as “oh”, while the Italian “o” is pronounced as “oh” with the lips rounded more.
Overall, Spanish and Italian share many similarities in terms of pronunciation, but there are also some notable differences. These differences may make it challenging for Spanish speakers to learn Italian pronunciation and vice versa, but with practice, it is certainly possible to become proficient in both languages.
Grammar
As a Spanish speaker, you’ll find that Italian shares many similarities, especially in terms of grammar. Both Spanish and Italian are Romance languages that descended from Latin, which means that they share many grammatical features.
Here are some key similarities and differences in grammar between Spanish and Italian:
Articles:
Both languages have definite (the) and indefinite (a/an) articles that must agree in gender and number with the noun they modify. In Spanish, the definite articles are “el” for masculine singular, “la” for feminine singular, “los” for masculine plural, and “las” for feminine plural. In Italian, the definite articles are “il” for masculine singular, “la” for feminine singular, “i” for masculine plural, and “le” for feminine plural.
Nouns:
Spanish and Italian, like other Romance languages, have gendered nouns. Every noun in Spanish is either masculine or feminine, and the same goes for Italian. Both Spanish and Italian have two genders, masculine and feminine, and nouns must agree in gender and number with the article and other parts of the sentence. However, a noun that refers to a masculine object in Spanish, may be grammatically feminine in Italian, so don’t make assumptions!
Verbs:
As a Spanish speaker, you’ll find that Italian verb conjugations are quite similar to those in Spanish. Both languages share many of the same verb tenses and follow similar conjugation patterns.
Here are some key similarities and differences in verb conjugations between Spanish and Italian:
Regular Verbs: Both languages have regular verb conjugation patterns, with verbs ending in -ar, -er, and -ir in Spanish and -are, -ere, and -ire in Italian. The present tense conjugations for the first and second person singular are almost identical in both languages.
For example:
Spanish verb “hablar” (to speak): yo hablo, tú hablas, él/ella/usted habla, nosotros/nosotras hablamos, vosotros/vosotras habláis, ellos/ellas/ustedes hablan
Italian verb “parlare” (to speak): io parlo, tu parli, lui/lei/lei parla, noi parliamo, voi parlate, loro parlano
Irregular Verbs: Both languages also have many irregular verbs that do not follow the regular conjugation patterns. Some of the most common irregular verbs in Italian are similar to those in Spanish, such as “essere” (to be) and “avere” (to have).
Verb Tenses: Both languages share many of the same verb tenses, including the present, past, future, conditional, and subjunctive. However, spoken Italian uses the passato prossimo (present perfect) more than in Spanish, and the simple past is kept for written Italian. Italian also shares grammatically similarities with French with two auxiliary verbs (“avere” and “essere”) used to form the passato prossimo. Most verbs use “avere”, like in Spanish but certain intransitive verbs (verbs that do not take a direct object) and reflexive verbs use “essere” as the auxiliary verb in the Passato Prossimo tense. In this case, the past participle agrees in gender and number with the subject of the verb.
- Sono andato al cinema. (I went to the cinema.)
- Sei stato in vacanza? (Did you go on vacation?)
- È arrivata la posta. (The mail arrived.)
- Siamo partiti in ritardo. (We left late.)
- Sono tornati a casa tardi. (They came back home late.)
- Mi sono alzato alle otto. (I got up at eight o’clock.)
- Ti sei divertito alla festa? (Did you have fun at the party?)
Overall, if you speak Spanish, you’ll find that Italian grammar is not too difficult to grasp. You may need to pay attention to some of the differences in gender, verb tenses, and pronouns, but many of the basic structures are very similar. With practice and immersion in the language, you should be able to master Italian grammar in no time!
Tips for Spanish-speakers who want to learn Italian
If you already speak Spanish, learning Italian can be a relatively easy process, as the two languages share many similarities. However, there are still some differences that you should be aware of in order to make the learning process smoother. Here are some tips for learning Italian if you already speak Spanish:
Focus on the differences: While Italian and Spanish share many similarities, it’s important to pay attention to the differences between the two languages. For example, while the verb tenses are similar, there are some differences in the forms of the verbs used. Make a list of the differences between the two languages and practice them until you feel comfortable.
Use cognates to your advantage: As both Italian and Spanish evolved from Latin, there are many words that are similar in both languages. Take advantage of these cognates and use them to build your vocabulary. For example, “esperar” in Spanish means “to wait,” while “aspettare” in Italian means the same thing.
Practice pronunciation: While the pronunciation of Italian and Spanish is similar, there are some differences in the way certain sounds are pronounced. Practice your pronunciation regularly to get used to the differences.
Immerse yourself in the language: To truly master Italian, you need to immerse yourself in the language. Watch Italian movies, listen to Italian music, and try to speak with native Italian speakers as much as possible. This will help you become more comfortable with the language and improve your comprehension skills.
Learn the grammar: While Italian grammar is similar to Spanish grammar, there are still some differences that you need to be aware of. Learn the grammar rules and practice them regularly to ensure that you are using the language correctly.
Take a course: If you’re serious about learning Italian, consider taking a course or hiring a tutor. A professional can help you navigate the differences between the two languages and provide feedback on your progress.
In summary, learning Italian if you already speak Spanish can be a relatively easy process, but it still requires effort and practice. Focus on the differences between the two languages, use cognates to your advantage, practice your pronunciation regularly, immerse yourself in the language, learn the grammar, and consider taking a course or hiring a tutor to help you along the way. With dedication and persistence, you can become fluent in Italian in no time!
5 tips to get started with Italian as a Spanish speaker
As a Spanish speaker, you already have a head start when it comes to learning Italian. Here are some tips to get started with Italian:
- Start by learning the basics of Italian grammar and vocabulary. While Italian and Spanish share many similarities, there are also some important differences. Focus on learning the Italian verb conjugations, noun declensions, and basic sentence structures.
- Practice your listening and speaking skills. Listen to Italian music, watch Italian movies, and try to speak Italian with native speakers. This will help you to develop your pronunciation and get used to the sound of the language.
- Use online resources and language-learning apps. There are many resources available online to help you learn Italian, including websites, apps, and podcasts. Some popular options include Duolingo, Babbel, and Rosetta Stone.
- Immerse yourself in the language. If possible, visit Italy or spend time with native Italian speakers. This will give you a chance to practice your language skills in a real-world setting and immerse yourself in the culture.
- Be patient and persistent. Learning a new language takes time and effort, so don’t get discouraged if you don’t see results right away. Keep practicing and don’t be afraid to make mistakes – they are an important part of the learning process.
As a Spanish speaker, learning Italian can be a great choice as the languages share many similarities, including grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation, which can make it easier to learn Italian. In addition, learning Italian can open up opportunities for travel, work, and cultural exchange in Italy, as well as other Italian-speaking regions, such as Switzerland and parts of Croatia. Italian is a major language of art, music, literature, and cuisine, making it a rich and rewarding language to learn.
Heather Broster is a graduate with honours in linguistics from the University of Western Ontario. She is an aspiring polyglot, proficient in English and Italian, as well as Japanese, Welsh, and French to varying degrees of fluency. Originally from Toronto, Heather has resided in various countries, notably Italy for a period of six years. Her primary focus lies in the fields of language acquisition, education, and bilingual instruction.
