The most common uses of di are the ones which correspond to the English
possessive (’s) and the noun + noun structure:
Di is frequently used in partitive constructions, i.e. to express the English
‘some’ or ‘any’ in such sentences as ‘I’d like some bread’, ‘Have you any
pasta?’, ‘We’ve got (some) pasta and (some) olives’:
Di is also used, followed by a verb in the infinitive, after certain verbs like
credere (to believe), pensare (to think), dire (to say), sperare (to hope), finire
(to finish), smettere (to stop):
5 A is typically used to express:
il libro del professore
la sorella di Monica
il casco di Sebastiano
la politica del governo
una buca delle lettere
un racconto di fate
il professore di scienze
un panino di formaggiothe teacher’s book
Monica’s sister
Sebastiano’s helmet
the government’s policy/government policy
a letter box
a fairy tale
the science teacher
a cheese rollDevo comprare del pane.
Prendo della pasta.
C’è dell’acqua in frigo.
Esco con degli amici.
Vuoi dei libri in italiano?
Ci sono delle case sulla collina.I’ve got to get (some) bread.
I’m getting (some) pasta.
There’s (some) water in the fridge.
I’m going out with (some) friends.
Do you want (some) books in Italian?
There are (some) houses on the hill.Finisco di leggere il giornale e poi
esco.
Paolo pensa di essere intelligente.
Anna crede di riuscire a passare
l’esame.
La mamma dice di essere stanca.
Devo smettere di perdere tempo!I finish reading the paper and then I
go out.
Paolo thinks he is intelligent.
Anna believes she can pass the exam.Mum says she’s tired.
I must stop wasting time!placetimeAbito a Londra.
Vado al cinema.
Sono a casa.
La casa si trova a 100 metri
dal mare.
Parto alle 17.
Vado in Olanda a luglio.I live in London.
I’m going to the cinema.
I’m at home.
The house is 100 metres from
the sea.
I’m leaving at 17.00.
I’m going to Holland in July.