Italian for absolute beginnersItalian words

*Say hello to the Italian language!* "Ciao"! Welcome to the *course of Italian for complete beginners*. This course will give you a solid understanding of the basics of the Italian language and teach you essential phrases for everyday conversations. Let's start by learning *how to greet each other!* With friends or family, say "ciao." For your boss or unfamiliar people, use "buongiorno" or "buona sera" (afternoon/evening). For goodbyes: casually say "ciao" or "a dopo" (see you later). In formal settings, stick with "arrivederci." Now, let's dive into some basic words and phrases! :)

*Personal pronouns* Let us start with something easy and revise *personal pronouns*. They are quite easy: "IO" (I) "TU" (You- singular) "LEI" (She) "LUI" (He) "NOI" (We) "VOI" (You- plural) "LORO" (They) Beware that in most cases, we do not include the pronoun in a sentence. We might do so when the pronoun is necessary for understanding who the subject is or to emphasize the subject. "Sono stanca." not "Io sono stanca" (I am tired) but! "Non è stanco lui, io sono stanca!" (He isn't tired, I am tired! - emphasis on the subject) Now it's time to make sure you understand them perfectly.

*Reflexive verbs* Reflexive verbs in Italian are verbs that are conjugated with a *reflexive pronoun*, indicating that the action of the verb is performed by the subject on itself. Reflexive verbs are usually used to describe actions that are done to oneself. In Italian, reflexive verbs are formed by adding a reflexive pronoun to *the end of the infinitive verb*. The reflexive pronouns are: "mi" (myself) "ti" (yourself) "si" (himself/herself/itself) "ci" (ourselves) "vi" (yourselves) "si" (themselves) For example: "chiamarsi" (to call oneself - by name) When conjugating a reflexive verb, the reflexive pronoun is placed before the verb, and the verb is conjugated to match the subject. For example: "Mi chiamo Luca" (My name is Luca). "Come si chiama?" (What's her/his name?) The same rule applies in the case of a negative. For example, let's use a word "lavorarsi" (to wash oneself): "Io non mi lavo" (I don't was myself). "Noi non ci laviamo" (We don't wash ourselves).

*Having a conversation!* I think it's time to learn a few *basic words and phrases* that might be useful for you in any conversation! You already know how to greet people, but what comes next? Let's learn some phrases for formal and informal setting. For example: A: Hey Luca, how are you? "Ciao Luca, come stai?" B: I am fine, thanks. How about you? "Sto bene, grazie, e tu?" A: So-so, thanks. "Così così, grazie." A: Good morning sir, how are you? "Buongiorno signore, come sta?" B: I am very well, thank you. How about you? "Sto molto bene, grazie, e Lei?" A: Not bad, thank you very much. "Non c'è male, grazie mille."

*Using the polite form of address* Since we are talking about verbs, there are two possible ways to address people in Italian. Either the regular, *informal form* or *polite form*. When you're on first-name terms with someone you simply use the verb in the second person singular "tu" such as in "tu sei intelligente" but if you want to show special respect to the person you're speaking to or in case you don't know them well yet, you should address them in the third person singular "Lei" such as in "Lei è intelligente". We use "Lei" (she) even if we speak to a man! To make a difference between the pronoun *she* and the *polite you*, the latter is written with a *capital L*. Let's see an example: *Buongiorno signor Rossi, (Lei) va all'ufficio oggi?* Good morning Mr. Rossi, are you going to the office today? but *Ciao Marco, (tu) vai al cinema oggi?* Hi Marco, are you going to the cinema today? *Ciao Marco, Lucia (=lei) va al cinema oggi?* Hi Marco, is Lucia going to the cinema today?

*Verbs -to be and -to have* Let's move on and learn the two most important verbs: "essere" *(to be)* and "avere" *(to have)*. Both of these verbs are *irregular* so their conjugation is a bit different from the majority of verbs. You'll later find them useful when forming past and future tenses. "ESSERE" (to be) "io sono" (I am) "tu sei" (you are) "lui/lei è" (he/she is) "noi siamo" (we are) "voi siete" (you are) "loro sono" (they are) The verb *to be* has many uses, for example, when you want to tell someone your name, you can either say "mi chiamo Anna" or you can just easily say "sono Anna". Notice that in Italian we usually omit the personal pronouns ("io, tu, lui, lei...") in a sentence, because the form of the verb already defines the person. "AVERE" (to have) "io ho" (I have) "tu hai" (you have) "lui/lei ha" (he/she has) "noi abbiamo" (we have) "voi avete" (you have) "loro hanno" (they have) When you're pronouncing the verb "avere" be careful not to pronouce the letter *h* since it stays *silent*.

*Difference between verbs stare and essere* In Italian, the verbs "stare" and "essere" may seem a bit similar to beginners, but they have distinct uses. "Essere" is equivalent to the English verb "to be" and is used to "express identity, origin, or characteristics". For example: "Io sono felice" (I am happy), where "sono" is the first person singular form of essere. On the other hand, "stare" is often used to convey a "temporary state or condition". For example: "Io sto mangiando" means "I am eating," where "sto" is the first person singular form of stare. So, while "essere" focuses on essential qualities and identity, "stare" is more about current states or actions. "STARE" "io sto" (I am) "tu stai" (you are) "lui/lei sta" (he/she is) "noi stiamo" (we are) "voi state" (you are) "loro stanno" (they are)

*Nouns and their endings* Now, that you know some Italian verbs, it's time to talk about *nouns*! Nouns in Italian can be either *masculine* or *feminine* in gender. Each gender has a specific ending in *singular* and *plural* form. In most cases the ending in singular for a masculine noun is *-o* ("ragazzo") or *-e* ("studente") while for feminine nouns it is *-a* ("ragazza"). However, you'll soon discover that this has many exceptions. When you are learning new Italian words, it is helpful to learn the gender of the noun already with its meaning. ;)

*Plural of nouns* When we want to use a noun in *plural*, we have to change its ending as follows: *O --> I* ("un ragazzo" --> "due ragazzi") *E --> I* ("uno studente" --> "due studenti") *A --> E* ("una ragazza" --> "due ragazze") There are some nouns which do not change in their plural forms, these nouns usually end with an accented vowel *à, è, ò, ù* or a *consonant* sg: "un caffè" --> pl: "due caffè" sg: "un film" --> pl: "due film" Okay, ready to practise?

*Regular verbs* Are you happy to talk about verbs again? I hope so! :) This time, we'll learn the *present tense of regular verbs*. In Italian, verbs can be divided into three classes which have slightly different conjugations, but nothing too difficult. The first class involves verbs ending with *-ARE* , such as PARLARE (to speak). "io parlo" "tu parli" "lui/lei parla" "noi parliamo" "voi parlate" "loro parlano" Are you wondering how to say these verbs in *the negative*? It is extremely easy, just add "non" in front of the verb. For example: "io non parlo russo." (I don't speak Russian) It seems that you are ready to learn some useful regular verbs, so let's do it!

*Indefinite articles* Another important thing we will discuss in this course are the ARTICLES. We will begin with the *indefinite articles*. These are used with *unspecified things/people* or *with things/people we mention for the first time.* The indefinite articles are "un" or "una" (depending on whether the noun is feminine or masculine), and yes, these are the same words you would use for the number "one". This will help you to remember that the indefinite article in Italian *does not have plural forms!*. Let's see how the indefinite article is used with *feminine* nouns: "una ragazza" (for feminine nouns starting with a consonant) "un'isola" (for feminine nouns starting with a vowel) Let's see how the indefinite article is used with *masculine* nouns: "un ragazzo" "un uomo" (for masculine nouns starting either with a consonant or a vowel) "uno zaino" (for masculine nouns starting with *z,gn,ps,x,y,* or *s* followed by another *consonant*) Now let's look at some common nouns with the indefinite article.

*Verbs of the second class* Rememeber the conjugation of the first class verbs? It was easy, right? So is the conjugation of the second class verbs: The second class involves verbs ending with *-ERE* , such as VEDERE (to see) "io vedo" "tu vedi" "lui/lei vede" "noi vediamo" "voi vedete" "loro vedono" Time to practise!

*Presente semplice* Now that you know the basic phrases and the first verbs, we can start creating first sentences! And we'll do so using the *present simple tense - presente semplice* in Italian. The present simple tense in Italian is used to talk about *actions that happen regularly, habitual actions, or general truths.* For most verbs, you can create the present tense by *removing the infinitive ending (-are, -ere, -ire)* and adding the appropriate present tense ending. For example: "Mangiare (to eat)" becomes "Io mangio" (I eat), "Tu mangi" (You eat), "Lui/lei mangia" (He/she eats).

*Definite articles* After having learnt the indefinite articles, it's about time to have a look at the *definite articles.* When do we use them? We use them with people or things that are somehow *specified* or which we have already *mentioned previously*. We can generally say that they are used much more often that indefinite articles. Unlike the indefinite articles, definite articles *do have plural forms* so we will need to learn both: *Feminine* nouns in singlular and plural: sg: "la ragazza" (nouns starting with a consonant) pl: "le ragazze" (nouns starting with a consonant) sg: "l'isola" (nouns starting with a vowel) pl: "le isole" (nouns starting with a vowel) *Masculine* nouns in singular and plural: sg: "il ragazzo" (nouns starting with a consonant) pl: "i ragazzi" (nouns starting with a consonant) sg: "l'uomo" (nouns starting with a vowel) pl: "gli uomini" (nouns starting with a vowel) sg: "lo zaino" (nouns starting with *z,gn,ps,x,y*, or *s* followed by another *consonant*) pl: "gli zaini" (nouns starting with *z,gn,ps,x,y*, or *s* followed by another *consonant*)

*Verbs of the third class* The third class involves verbs ending with *-IRE* , such as "DORMIRE" (to sleep) "io dormo" "tu dormi" "lui/lei dorme" "noi dormiamo" "voi dormite" "loro dormono" BUT! Many verbs ending with *-IRE* have slightly different conjugation, just as the verb "CAPIRE" (to understand) "io capisco" "tu capisci" "lui/lei capisce" "noi capiamo" "voi capite" "loro capiscono"

*Question and negative* Now that you know how to form a complete sentence in the present simple, it would be a pity not to know how to ask questions or how to form a negative sentence. So let's have a look. "Question" In Italian, you can form *yes/no questions* by simply adding a question mark, or sometimes also by adding question tags like "vero?" or "giusto?" at the end of the sentence. Example: "Mangi la pizza." (You eat pizza.) → "Mangi la pizza?" (Do you eat pizza?) "Negative" To make a negative sentence, add "non" before the verb. Example: "Io mangio la pizza." (I eat pizza.) → "Io non mangio la pizza." (I don't eat pizza.) Unlike English, Italian often uses also double negatives for emphasis. Add "non" before the verb and "niente" after the verb for stronger negation. Example: "Non vedo niente." (I don't see anything.)

*Mi piace - to like* During a conversation, it can be very useful to be able to talk about what you like. And that's what "mi piace" means in Italian. "Mi piace" in Italian means "I like it" or "It pleases me." It's a friendly phrase to express your appreciation for something you enjoy. For example: "Questo gelato mi piace!" (I like this gelato!) or "mi piace questa musica" ("I like this music"). There is, of course, a plural form. For example: "Questi gelati mi piacciono!" ("I like these gelatos!") you can customize "mi piace" to express who likes something: "A te ti piace" ("You like it") "A lui/lei gli/le piace" ("He/she likes it") "A noi ci piace" ("We like it") "A voi vi piace" ("You (plural) like it") "A loro gli piace" "They like it."

*Informal imperative* We're almost at the end of the course! *Well done!* Now, how to tell someone what to do in Italian? Using the imperative. So let's learn it now. *Imperative*, which serves exactly for that- *giving commands* and *requests*, but also to *give directions*. In this lesson, however, we'll be learning only the *informal form* of the imperative - the one used when speaking to friends or people we know. *How to form it?* This applies to regular verbs: Verbs ending with *-ARE* ("parlare") "(tu) parla!" (speak!) "(voi) parlate!" (pl. speak!) "(tu) non parlare!" (don't speak!) "(voi) non parlate!" (pl. don't speak!) Verbs ending with *-ERE, -IRE* ("vedere / dormire") "(tu) rispondi! / tu dormi!" (answer! / sleep!) "(voi) rispondete! / voi dormite!" (pl. answer! /sleep!) "(tu) non rispondere! / tu non dormire!" (don't answer! / don't sleep!) "(voi) non rispondete! / voi non dormite!" (pl. don't answer! /don't sleep!)

*Imperative - irregular verbs* We will end this course by learning the final piece of an imperative puzzle. In the last part we learned how to form an imperative. But aside of regular verbs, there are also some exceptions. So let's see some *irregulars*: "Avere" (to have) "Tu abbi!" "Voi abbiate!" "Essere" (to be) "Tu sii!" "Voi siate!" "Fare" (to do/make) "Tu fa'/fai!" "Voi fate!" "Dare" (to give) "Tu da'/dai!" "Voi date!" "Dire" (to say) "Tu di'!" "Voi dite!" "Andare" (to go) "Tu va'/vai!" "Voi andate!" "Venire" (to come) "Tu vieni!" "Voi venite!" Great! How about some practice now? :)