Basic Italian: A Grammar and Workbook

A is also used, followed by a verb in the infinitive, after certain verbs like
andare (to go), venire (to come), cominciare (to start/begin), continuare (to
continue), riuscire (can/to be able/manage):

6 Da is typically used to express:

Da is always used to mean ‘at/at the house of’ a person or people:

Da is also used followed by an infinitive after molto (a lot), poco (little), niente
(nothing), qualcosa (something):

indirect object

quality

means/manner

Diamo il libro a Silvia.

Scrivete ai vostri genitori?

Vuoi un gelato al limone?

La giacca è fatta a mano.

Impari tutto a memoria?

Stasera mangiamo patate

al vapore.

We’re giving the book to

Silvia.

Do you write to your

parents?

Do you want a lemon ice-

cream?

The jacket’s made by hand.

Do you learn everything by

heart?

We’re having steamed

potatoes tonight. [i.e.

they’re cooked with steam]

‘Dove vai?’ ‘Vado a lavorare.’

Vieni a studiare in biblioteca?

Comincio a capire.

Paolo continua a parlare.

Non riesco a sentire cosa dice.

‘Where are you going?’ ‘I’m going to work.’

Are you coming to work in the library?

I’m beginning to understand.

Paolo continues/keeps on talking.

I can’t hear what he’s saying.

place

time

function

Parto da Milano.

Studio italiano da un mese.

aperto dalle 9 alle 10

Sono scarpe da tennis.

I’m leaving from Milan.

I have been studying Italian for a

month.

open (from) 9 to 10 (o’clock)

They’re tennis shoes.

Abiti da tua zia?

Lavoro da Anna stasera.

Devo andare dal dentista.

Do you live at your aunt’s?

I’m working at Anna’s tonight.

I have to go to the dentist.

Ho molto da fare.

Ha poco da dire.

Non c’è niente da bere.

Vuoi qualcosa da mangiare?

I’ve got a lot to do.

He has little/He’s not got much to say.

There’s nothing to drink.

Do you want something to eat?