Basic Italian: A Grammar and Workbook

11 In some cases a definite article is used in Italian where an indefinite article
(or a possessive adjective – see Unit 3) is used in English. Here are some
instances:

There are also cases when there is no article in Italian but the definite or
indefinite article is used in English:

Definite and indefinite article before an adjective

12 As we shall see (Unit 3), a noun can sometimes be preceded by an adjec-
tive, so that the adjective comes between the article and the noun (e.g. una
bella donna, a beautiful woman). In such cases, the form of the article
depends on the spelling of the adjective, not the noun:

Antonio ha il naso lungo.

Hai la patente?

Avete l’ombrello?

Ho il raffreddore.

Dove passi le vacanze di solito?

Di pomeriggio faccio il compito.

Hai il biglietto?

Antonio has a long nose.

Have you got a driving licence?

Have you got an umbrella?

I have got a cold.

Where do you normally spend your

holidays?

In the afternoon I do my homework.

Have you got a/your ticket?

Andiamo in montagna.

Stasera andiamo a teatro.

Accompagno Anna in aeroporto.

Andiamo in macchina.

Carlo è medico.

Sono studente.

Non ha marito.

We’re going to the mountains.

We’re going to the theatre this evening.

I’m taking Anna to the airport.

We’re going in the/a car.

Carlo is a doctor.

I’m a student.

She hasn’t got a husband.

la casa

una casa

l’auto

un’auto

the house

a house

the car

a car

l’ultima casa

un’ottima casa

la prima auto

una bella auto

the last house

an excellent house

the first car

a beautiful car