Gramatica Italiana - Generale Flashcards
(18 cards)
Tanto….. quanto - Usi
Tanto Quanto – Just as Much
“Tanto… Quanto” is used in comparisons of equality with ADJECTIVES, ADVERBS, and also with NOUNS and VERBS.
When “tanto quanto” is used to compare nouns, the word “tanto” must agree in gender and number with the noun it modifies.
However, “quanto” remains invariable.
1 Tanto Quanto Comparing ADJECTIVES
a. Questa pasta è tanto buona quanto quella che abbiamo mangiato ieri.
= This pizza is as good as the one we ate yesterday.
2 Tanto Quanto Comparing ADVERBS
a. Lui mangia la pasta tanto velocemente quanto suo fratello.
= He eats the pasta as fast as his brother.
3 Tanto Quanto Comparing NOUNS
a. Ho mangiato tanta pasta quanto pane.
= I ate as much pasta as bread.
4 Tanto Quanto Comparing VERBS
a. Lei legge tanto quanto scrive.
= She reads as much as she writes.
b. Amo mangiare la pizza tanto quanto il gelato.
= I love eating pizza as much as gelato.
c. Mi piace il gusto di fragola tanto quanto quello di lampone.
= I like the strawberry flavour as much as the raspberry flavour.
[https://www.studentessamatta.com/mastering-italian-tanto-quanto-cosi-come-comparisons-grammar-italiano/]
Così Come – Just Like
- Usi
When using “così/come” for comparisons of equality, you can omit either “così” or “come” in certain contexts to sound more natural or emphasise the quality being compared.
Typically, “come” remains when “così” is omitted.
Here’s how:
1 Le gondole sono belle così come i canali.
→ The gondolas are beautiful just like the canals.
2 La luna brilla in cielo così i tuoi occhi brillano nella notte.
→ The moon shines in the sky just like your eyes shine in the night.
3 La moda italiana è elegante così come è pratica.
→ Italian fashion is elegant just as it is practical.
4 Questa giacca è così elegante come la gonna.
→ This jacket is as elegant as the skirt.
[https://www.studentessamatta.com/mastering-italian-tanto-quanto-cosi-come-comparisons-grammar-italiano/]
Visitare” or “Andare a Trovare”? (1)
Quando Usare “Visitare” o “Andare a Trovare”
Vuoi sembrare più italiano?
Allora! Questo consiglio è per te!
In italiano, per esprimere il concetto di “visitare qualcuno,” ci sono due modi principali:
“visitare” e “andare a trovare.”
Anche se “visitare” potrebbe sembrare la scelta ovvia per chi parla inglese, c’è una differenza importante da conoscere.
[Want to sound more Italian? Then this tip is for you! In Italian, to express the concept of “visiting someone,” there are two main options: “visitare” and “andare a trovare.”
While “visitare” might seem like the obvious choice for English speakers, there’s an important distinction to learn.]
Andare a Trovare: Per Amici e Famiglia
[Andare a Trovare: For Friends and Family]
In italiano colloquiale, si usa più spesso “andare a trovare” per indicare una visita a familiari o amici.
Questa espressione sottintende un incontro caloroso e informale, magari per una chiacchierata o una cena tra persone care.
[In conversational Italian, “andare a trovare” is more commonly used to refer to visiting family or friends. This phrase implies a warm, informal meeting, perhaps for a chat or dinner with loved ones.]
1 Vado a trovare mia nonna ogni domenica.
→ I go to visit my grandmother every Sunday.
2 Siamo andati a trovare i nostri amici a Roma.
→ We went to see our friends in Rome.
3 Andrai a trovare i tuoi genitori per le vacanze di Natale?
→ Will you visit your parents for Christmas holidays?
[https://www.studentessamatta.com/visitare-vs-andare-a-trovare-italian-grammar-vcabulary/]
Visitare” or “Andare a Trovare”? (2)
Visitare: Per Luoghi e Occasioni Formali
[“Visitare”: For Places and Formal Occasions]
“Visitare” si usa quando parliamo di luoghi, come musei, città o parchi.
Si utilizza anche in contesti formali, come incontri diplomatici, appuntamenti medici o quando si incontra qualcuno che non si conosce bene.
[“Visitare” is used when talking about places, such as museums, cities, or parks.
It is also used in formal contexts, like diplomatic meetings, doctor appointments, or when meeting someone you don’t know well.*]
1 Vorrei visitare Firenze il prossimo mese.
→ I would like to visit Firenze next month.
2 Hai mai visitato il Colosseo a Roma?
→ Have you ever visited the Colosseum in Rome?
3 Il dottore visita i pazienti ogni mattina.
→ The doctor visits the patients every morning.
4 Il presidente visiterà il primo ministro per discutere nuovi accordi.
→ The president will visit the prime minister to discuss new agreements.
Ricorda:
Usa “andare a trovare” per amici e famiglia, e “visitare” per luoghi e situazioni formali.
[https://www.studentessamatta.com/visitare-vs-andare-a-trovare-italian-grammar-vcabulary/]
The Relative Pronoun “Il Quale”
The pronoun “Il quale” also means “which” in English.
It is a variable, relative pronoun that is mainly used in written language, such as official documents. Indeed, il quale, and other forms of the pronoun including la quale, i quali, and le quali may replace che or cui, as in this example:
Il documento, il quale è stato firmato da voi, è stato spedito ieri. The document, which has been signed by you, was delivered yesterday.
But even though il quali is generally used formally, you can still have some fun with the pronoun, as in this example:
Cadrai in un sonno profondo durante il quale obbedirai ai miei ordini. You’re falling into a deep sleep under which you’ll obey my every command.
[https://www.thoughtco.com/italian-relative-pronouns-2011466]
Comparatives and Superlatives (1)
Comparatives involve statements of comparison among two or more people, places, activities, things or attributes.
Superlatives can even exist by themselves (e.g. an exaggerated degree of an attribute, like very good, incredibly talented, etc.) or they can be considered superlative relative to others in their reference group (e.g. the highest grade in the class).
In this second use, they are formed very similar to Italian to the Comparatives, and it is for this reason that Comparatives and Superlatives are often treated together.
Comparativi
In Italian, there are two kinds of Comparatives:
1 the “Comparatives of Equality” (“Comparativi di Uguaglianza”), and
2 the Comparatives of Inequality (Comparativi di Disuguaglianza).
The Comparatives of Equality are used to demonstrate the situation of entities having similar (or equivalent properties), for example:
a. I have as many brothers as sisters.
The Comparatives of Inequality are used to demonstrate the situation in which entities have different properties, for example:
a. I have more brothers than sisters.
[https://learnitalian.web.unc.edu/home/nounsarticlesadjectives/adjectives-and-adverbs/comparatives-and-superlatives/]
Comparatives and Superlatives (2) - Comparativi di Uguaglianza
Comparativi di Uguaglianza
a. Sono (così) alto come mio fratello.
→ I am as tall as my brother.
b. Hai tanti compiti quanto me.
→ You have as many homework assignments (as much homework) as me.
c. Segui tanti corsi di lingua quanti corsi di scienza questo semestre?
→ Are you taking as many language courses as science courses this semester?
d. Mio padre lavora (tanto) quanto mia madre.
→ My dad works as much as my mom.
e. Non siamo (così) socievoli come i nostri cugini.
→ We are not as outgoing as our cousins.
f. Io mi sento tanto italiano quanto americano.
→ I feel as Italian as (I do) American.
GRAMMATICAL NOTES
1 There are two pairs of Comparatives that can be used to express the idea of two entities being equivalent: “(tanto)…quanto” and “(così)…come”.
The parentheses around the first term in each pair indicates the fact that the first word is optional.
2 The two expressions mean the same thing but there are grammatical differences between them.
Both can be used when making comparisons with regards to one adjective (i.e. tall, strong, sociable, etc.).
In the first, fourth, and fifth examples, you could switch the two pairs and retain the same meaning and accuracy.
However, if you are comparing the quantity of two nouns or the frequency of two verbs, you must use “(tanto)…quanto”. This situation applies to examples 1, 2 and 3.
a. Sono (così) alto come mio fratello.
→ I am as tall as my brother.
b. Hai tanti compiti quanto me.
→ You have as many homework assignments as me.
c. Segui tanti corsi di lingua quanti corsi di scienza questo semestre?
→ Are you taking as many language courses as science courses this semester?
d. Mio padre lavora (tanto) quanto mia madre.
→ My dad works as much as my mom.
e. Non siamo (così) socievoli come i nostri cugini.
→ We are not as outgoing as our cousins.
3 “Così” and “Come” are invariable, meaning their endings never change, however “Tanto” and “Quanto” do have variable endings when they appear right before nouns. That is because in that position, they function as adjectives, and adjectives change their endings to agree with the nouns they modify.
[https://learnitalian.web.unc.edu/home/nounsarticlesadjectives/adjectives-and-adverbs/comparatives-and-superlatives/]
Comparatives and Superlatives (3) - Comparativi di Disuguaglianza
Comparativi di Disuguaglianza
a. Sono più alto di mio fratello.
→ I am taller than my brother.
b. Hai più compiti di me.
→ You have more homework than me.
c. Segui più di cinque corsi questo semestre?
→ Are you taking more than five courses this semester?
d. Mio padre lavora meno di mia madre.
→ My dad works less than my mom.
e. Siamo meno socievoli dei nostri cugini.
→ We are less outgoing than our cousins.
f. Io mi sento più italiano che americano.
→ I feel more Italian than American.
g. Studio più a casa che in biblioteca.
→ I study more at home than in the library.
GRAMMATICAL NOTES
1 “Più (or Meno) di” is used when comparing two entities (people, places, objects, abstract nouns) with regards to one quality or aspect.
For example, “Who has more homework – you or me” – or “Who works more” or “Who is more social between my mom and dad or our cousins and us”.
a. Sono più alto di mio fratello.
→ I am taller than my brother.
b. Hai più compiti di me.
→ You have more homework than me.
2 “Più (or Meno) che” is used when comparing two aspects or qualities of one entity (people, places, etc.). So, in the examples below, there is one entity - I - and two attributes - Italian and American or studying at home versus in the library.
a. Io mi sento più italiano che americano.
→ I feel more Italian than American.
b. Studio più a casa che in biblioteca.
→ I study more at home than in the library.
3 “Più (or Meno) che” is used when a Preposition appears right after the Comparative.
Example:
a. Studio più a casa che in biblioteca.
→ I study more at home than in the library.
This is a special case of the situation outlined directly above.
In “Studio più a casa che in biblioteca”, “a” and “in” are both Prepositions.
Other common prepositions include “con”, “per”, “da”, “di”, “fra/tra” and “su”.
4 “Più (or Meno) di” is used when referring to more or less than a certain number (of things, years, etc.), as in the example below.
Example:
a. Segui più di cinque corsi questo semestre?
→ Are you taking more than five courses this semester?
5 When using a Pronoun right after a Comparative (as in the second example), use the Disjunctive or Tonic pronouns: “me, te, lui, lei, Lei, noi, voi, loro”.
a. Hai più compiti di me.
→ You have more homework than me.
[https://learnitalian.web.unc.edu/home/nounsarticlesadjectives/adjectives-and-adverbs/comparatives-and-superlatives/]
Comparatives and Superlatives (4) - Superlatives (1)
SUPERLATIVES
Superlatives in Italian fall into two types:
1 Relative Superlatives and
2 Absolute Superlatives
RELATIVE SUPERLATIVES are comments upon superlative qualities of people, things, objects, etc. relative to others in that category.
For example:
a. My brother is the tallest in our family.
b. Rome is the most interesting city in Italy.
ABSOLUTE SUPERLATIVES, in contrast, state superlative qualities of entities in and of themselves, not in relation to others in that category, but in an absolute sense.
For example:
a. My brother is very tall.
b. Rome is an incredibly interesting city.
The two kinds of superlatives are formed in very different ways.
[https://learnitalian.web.unc.edu/home/nounsarticlesadjectives/adjectives-and-adverbs/comparatives-and-superlatives/]
Comparatives and Superlatives (5) - Superlatives (2)
RELATIVE SUPERLATIVES
Relative superlatives are formed just like Comparatives, depending on the use of “più” and “che”. The only difference is the addition of the Definite Article.
Compare:
Comparative 1
a. Mio fratello è più alto di me.
→ My brother is taller than me.
Relative Superlative 1
b. Mio fratello è il più alto della famiglia.
→ My brother is the tallest in my family.
Comparative 2
c. Roma è più interessante di Venezia.
→ Rome is more interesting than Venice.
Relative Superlative 2
d. Roma è la città più interessante d’Italia.
→ Rome is the most interesting city in Italy.
1 The order of Superlatives (in relation to the noun) is the same as that of any other adjective. If that adjective generally goes after the noun (like “interessante”), the whole superlative expression (“Più + interessante”) goes after the noun.
2 The Preposition “di” is used to convey the sense of the reference group for the superlative entity, rather than “in” - (e.g. tallest in my family = Il più alto della mia famiglia.)
[https://learnitalian.web.unc.edu/home/nounsarticlesadjectives/adjectives-and-adverbs/comparatives-and-superlatives/]
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