Using prepositions
3 As in many other languages, there is so much variation in how Italian
prepositions are used that it is not feasible to give simple rules covering every
possibility. To appreciate the problem, you only have to look at a few of the
possible uses of the preposition di:
Sometimes, Italian even has a preposition where English does not; here are
some typical examples:
Since there is not a simple set of rules governing prepositions in Italian, what
we are going to do is show some typical uses of the common ones listed
above. The more you hear and read Italian, the more you will encounter
different uses of these and other prepositions; the best way of mastering them
is to learn them and practise them as you go along.
4 Di is typically used to express:
di + il ragazzo
a + lo studente
da + l’albergo
in + la scuola
su + i divani
con + i libri
con + le chiavi
per + gli insegnanti
fra + i calciatoridel ragazzo
allo studente
dall’albergo
nella scuola
sui divani
coi libri
con le chiavi
per gli insegnanti
fra i calciatoriof the boy
to the student
from the hotel
in the school
on the sofas
with the books
with the keys
for the teachers
among the footballersil presidente della repubblica the president of the republic
Il libro è di Calvino. The book is by Calvino.
Sono di Roma. I’m from Rome.
Di pomeriggio fanno sempre la
siesta.They always have a nap in the
afternoon.l’auto di Anna
Vuoi della frutta?
Ci sono alcune migliaia di persone
nella piazza.
Ho una bella camicia di seta.Anna’s car
Do you want (some/any) fruit?
There are a few thousand people in
the square.
I’ve got a lovely silk shirt.possession
material
time
subjectLa moto di Luca è rossa.
una giacca di pelle
Di sera non esco.
una lezione di storiaLuca’s motorbike is red.
a leather jacket
I don’t go out in the evening(s).
a history lesson