Learn Italian prepositions

In this video I'm gonna talk about Italian prepositions.

More specifically, in this video I will explain a particular way of using the Italian preposition DA which isn't usually explained in Italian courses.

I'm Luca and this video is for those who wish to speak Italian well.

If you are learning Italian as a foreign language, you've come to the right place! As a matter of fact, on this channel I regularly publish Italian language lessons for non-native speakers.

In my lessons I talk about different topics related to the Italian language and grammar. For the most part I focus on things that aren't explained in Italian courses.

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As I said, in this video I would like to talk about a particular way of using the Italian preposition DA.

I have noticed that, among Italian simple prepositions, "da" is probably the most problematic of all for those who are learning Italian as a foreign language. This is due to the fact that the preposition "da" has multiple meanings and can be used in different ways.

In this lesson, I wanted to talk about the preposition "da" used together with an infinitive.

Without further ado, let's do an example!

See this? This piece of paper? Ok then, on this piece of paper, on this sheet, I have written down "le cose da dire".

As you see, here we have a noun ("cose"), then we have the preposition DA, and then we have an infinitive. "Cose da dire".

What does "le cose da dire" mean? It essentially means: the things that should be said. The things I should say. Therefore, in this case, the preposition DA has a "passivazing" function, so to speak, i.e. it makes this sentence passive.

Thing is, for some videos I prefer writing down a list where I outline the main points that should be discussed. I don't write down word by word "le frasi da dire", but I write down "i punti da spiegare". In other words, I write down a brief outline or "schema".

By the way, the word "schema" is very interesting from a linguistic standpoint, because it's a masculine noun ending with A. In italian we say "lo schema", "gli schemi".

I have noticed that masculine nouns ending with A are often problematic for those who are learning Italian as a foreign language.

A while ago I made a video about this very topic. Here you can find a card to this video.

I don't know if you know the (Italian) word "scaletta". "Scaletta" is diminutive of "scala". So the brief outline in which I list the topic that I want to discuss could be called "scaletta". I could say that I've made "una scaletta".

But let's do another example with the preposition "da" used this way.

For instance, some people, when they wake up in the morning, write down on a sheet of paper "le cose da fare". That is, the make a list of the things that they should do during that day. What does "le cose da fare" mean? The things that should be done.

For instance, see this? On this piece of paper, I don't know if you can read... In any case, here I wrote "cose da fare". Next, you can find a small box, and then what I should do, for instance: "registare video", then "fare la spesa", then "pulire la cucina", then "rispondere ai commenti".

Here, next to each item you can see a small square, a box. Once I complete a given task, I will check the relevant box.

I don't know if you know the verb "spuntare". "Spuntare" means adding this special sign. A kind of "virgoletta" (tick). That is, I'm not sure if this is called "virgoletta" in italian. Anyway, you understand what sign I'm referring to.

So "cose da fare" means: the things that should be done. Obviously, if I write this list, I have in mind the things that I should do.

Or, if you invite a friend (male friend or female friend) to go somewhere, they could reply that on that day they are busy. They could say that they have too many "cose da fare". Or that they have many "cose da fare". What does it mean, essentially? That they have a lot of things to do.

Or, for instance, during Christmas time, if you need to buy some presents, you could write down a list of "regali da fare". What does "regali da fare" mean? Presents that should be made.

Another example could be: "i libri da leggere". What does it mean? Books that should be read. Or: "i film da guardare". What does it mean? Movies that should be watched.

Needless to say, here we can talk about a strong obligation ("must") or something closer to "should", that is: that should be watched, that should be read. DA plus infinitive refers to the idea, so to speak, of "must", "need", "should". Depending on the specific case, it could mean: must be done, or should be done.

Another example could be the following. For instance, if you travel to a city, for example to Venice... - every city has its "luoghi da visitare", that is, places that should be visited.

Another example could be, for instance, let's pretend that at home you keep items that you want to throw away, because they are broken because they are too old, or for whatever reason.. Ok then, you may put all these items in a plastic bag, right?

In that case, you could call this bag "il sacchetto degli oggetti da buttare". or: "il sacchetto delle cose da buttare". What does it mean? The bag containing the objects that should be trashed. Or the bag containing the things that should be thrown away.

Similarly, if, for instance, you are organizing a party, you could write down a list of "persone da chiamare". Who are "le persone da chiamare"? It's the people who must be called. Or who should be called.

Similarly, many people, before going to the grocery store, when buying groceries, bring with them a piece of paper that in Italian is called "la lista della spesa".

What does "lista della spesa" mean? It's the list of things that needs to be bought; in other words, things that should be bought.

There is also a negative form of "da" plus infinitive: DA + non + infinitive.

For instance, lately there has been an increase in the popularity of videos with headings such as "Dieci cose da non fare in Italia". What does "Dieci cose da non fare in Italia" mean? It means: Ten things that you shouldn't do in Italy.

Another example could be: "Dieci cose da non dire a una donna". A similar sentence could be: "Dieci cose da non dire mai a una donna". What does it mean? Ten things you should never say to a woman. In other words, ten things that should not be said to a woman.

Another example could be: "Dieci errori da non fare". What does it mean? Ten mistakes that you shouldn't make.

Talking about mistakes that you shouldn't make... I have created a playlist in which I have clustered the most common mistakes in Italian. Here you can find a card to this playlist.

In this playlist I have gathered all videos in which I discuss various mistakes that are often made by those who are studying Italian as a foreign language. So, if you want to avoid the most common mistakes in Italian, you might want to take a look at this playlist.

In some cases, the cluster preposition DA plus infinitive doesn't refer to an obligation, but rather to a possibility.

I will give you an example right away.

If I say "Nel frigo non c'è niente da mangiare", what does it mean? It means that there is nothing that could be eaten.

Similarly, if I say "Non c'è niente da fare", what does it mean? It means that there's nothing that could be done.

Here you can find 2 cards. One of them links to a video I made a while ago about the preposition DA used to express a goal. The other is a video in which I talk about a different topic, but I recommend that you watch this video too, if you want to improve your Italian.

Choose the one you prefer!

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