What is a Preposition?
Prepositions are short words used to complement an adjective, adverb, noun, or pronoun. Prepositions are invariable (do not change) elements in the Italian language and are used to connect words or sentences.
They can be followed by a noun, a pronoun, or an infinitive verb, and can have, as in other languages, many different meanings, and uses, depending on the context.
The basic prepositions in Italian are di, a, da, in, con, su, per, tra/fra. Di, a, da, in, su and per can be simple, when they are used alone, without the article; or articulated, when they are stressed with the article, forming a complete word.
How to Use Italian Prepositions
In Italian, there are basically two different types of prepositions:
There are two types:
Simple prepositions ( Preposizioni semplici) DI , A , DA , IN , CON , SU , PER , TRA , FRA
Articulated prepositions ( Preposizioni articulate )
They are composed of preposizione semplice + articolo determinativo.
In this article, we will talk about the main simple prepositions. Yes, we know, grammar is complicated. But we will show you how to use prepositions in Italian with the help of some examples, and everything will be much simpler.
Let’s start with the most common uses of simple prepositions:
DI, A, DA, IN, CON, SU, PER, TRA, FRA.
DI
The preposition di usually means of. It is also used to indicate:
- Possession (it can indicate who owns something) → Il cane è di Piero [ The dog is Piero’s].
- Topic ( it can express the material an object is made of) → La tavola è di legno [ The table is made of wood].
- Thematic → Il libro è di geografia. [The book is of geography]
- Manner ( Used when before an adjective there is an indefinite pronoun) → Di mattina riposo e di pomeriggio studio: In the morning I rest and in the afternoon I study (separating parts of the day).
- Origin, provenance ( can introduce the origin of someone or something (verb ser + di) → Io sono di Roma. [I am from Rome.]
- Can indicate the age of someone or something → Una signora di settanta anni. [A lady of seventy years old.]
A
The Italian preposition a means “at.” It is used to indicate:
- State in a place → Lucia è a Scuola. [Lucua is at school]
- Movement to a place ( Is used with cities, towns, islands, and generic places. ) → Domani vado a Firenze per lavoro. [Tomorrow I’ll go to Florence to work]
- Target (something or someone to which/whom the action is addressed) → Racconto il Segreto a Maria. [I am telling Maria the secret]
- Time ( Is used to introduce a time, a month, an age) → A Luglio vado sempre in Spiaggia. [In July I always go to the beach]
DA
The preposition da means from, since, or by. It is also used to indicate:
- Movement toward a place ( a place from which I arrive) → Siamo appena tornati da Milano. [We have just returned from Milan.]
- Movement toward a person (with people) → Ho la macchina dal meccanico [I have the car at the mechanic’s].
- Time (with actions that started in the past and are still going on when we speak) → Leggo da 3 ore. [I read from 3 hours ago]
- Agent ( the person who performs the action) → Questo libro è stato scritto da uno scrittore famoso. [This book was written by a famous writer.]
- Objective (reason why something is created) → carte da gioco [playing cards].
IN
The Italian preposition in usually means in. It is used to indicate:
- Place ( when linked to countries, regions, continents, large islands, bank, mountain, library or church) → Questa estate vado in Spagna con la mia famiglia. [This summer I will go to Spain with my family.]
- Time (periods of the year, such as seasons, months, years (in, during) → In primavera ci sono molti fiori. [In spring there are many flowers]
- Means of transportation → Andiamo a Torino in aereo. [We are going to Turin by plane]
- Feelings → Mi sento in colpa per non averlo aiutato con quel lavoro. [I feel guilty because I didn’t help him with that job.]
- State in a place → Ti sto aspettando in macchina. [I’m waiting for you in the car.]
CON
The preposition con means with and indicates:
- company (person with whom we do something) → Vado in Brasile con Biagio. [I am going to Brazil with Biagio]
- instrument with which we do something → Scriviamo con la penna. [We write with the pen]
SU
The preposition su means on or about and indicates:
- position of something (or someone) on something else (or someone else) → Il libro è sul tavolo. [The book is on the table]
- topic (except for the verb “parlare”, which requires the preposition “di”!) → Scrivo un articolo sulla guerra in Siria. [I am writing an article about the war in Syria]
PER
The preposition per means for and indicates:
- time duration → Ha fatto la cantante per 3 anni. [I was a singer for 3 years]
- cause → Piango per il dolore. [I cry because of the pain]
It can also indicate direction linked to the verb partire (to leave) or with means of transportation.
- movement to a place ( a place we cross to reach another place) → Vado a Milano passando per Roma. [I go to Milan by way of Rome]
TRA/FRA
The preposition tra/fra means betwen place) or within/in (time). Tehy are synonyms and indicate:
- the position of something or someone between 2 or more people or things → Casa mia è tra la chiesa e la farmacia. [My house is between the church and the pharmacy]
- alternative → Per la cena di stasera puoi scegliere tra carne o pesce. [For tonight dinner you can choose between fish and meat]
- relationship (with people) → Tra Marco e Teresa c’è grande amore. [There is a great love between Marco and Teresa]
- time (with regard to the future, time between the moment I speak and the event) → Tra due mesi partono per Londra. [They’ll leave for London in two months]
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