In Italian, we use prepositions (e.g. di, a, da, in,...) much like we use them in English – to introduce a noun or noun phrase that is important to a sentence, but isn’t the subject or direct object of a verb. Just as in English, an Italian preposition can introduce nouns that give all kinds of information, about place (“in the house”), direction (“away from the store”), time (“at noon”) and more!
In this post we’ll introduce you to the main uses of the prepositions di, a, da, in, con, su, per, and tra/fra. If you’ve ever wondered why Italians ask if you want qualcosa da bere, to talk about “something to drink,” read on to find out more about these small, but important words!
How to use the preposition ‘di’ in Italian?
The preposition di can be used to express ownership, material, age, and much more. Let’s go over all its uses.
Possession
To show whose something is using this structure:
Possession
di + Possessor
Il cane di Giulio è simpatico.Translation: Giulio’s dog is nice.Place of original origin
Sono di Napoli.Translation: I am from Naples (originally).Time
Usually for repeated actions or situations:
I negozi sono chiusi di lunedì.Translation: Stores are closed on Mondays.Want to learn more about using di to discuss time?
Contents
To specify the contents of something:
Ho bisogno di una tazzina di caffè.Translation: I need a cup of coffee. (a cup filled with coffee)Material
To describe what something is made of:
Sono allergica alle maglie di lana.Translation: I am allergic to woolen sweaters.Age
To approximate the age of someone with a number and the word anni meaning years:
Il mio vicino è un signore di settant’anni.Translation: My neighbor is a man in his seventies.Topic
To talk about the topic of something (a book, a conversation, etc.):
Parlo di Giovanni.Translation: I am talking about Giovanni.Ho comprato il libro di filosofia.Translation: I bought the philosophy book.Comparison
To mean “than” when comparing two nouns:
Sono più alta di Maria.Translation: I am taller than Maria.Be careful! Some comparisons will use che instead! Have a look at our article on to learn Italian comparisons more!
Authorship
To indicate the author/artist of something:
Il David di Michelangelo è un capolavoro.Translation: Michelangelo’s David is a masterpiece.
How to use the preposition ‘a’ in Italian?
One of the most commonly used prepositions, a commonly means “to” or “at,” but it has more uses beyond these basic meanings. Here is a quick summary:
Place and Direction
Where something is or where it’s going:
Abito a Venezia.Translation: I live in Venice.Want to read more about using a to talk about place and direction?
Time
To show when something happens:
Arrivo alle 10:30.Translation: I arrive at 10:30.alle = a + le meaning theWant to read more about using a to talk about time?
Means
To show the way things are done:
Lavo tutto a mano.Translation: I hand-wash everything.Manner of preparation
To indicate how something (usually food) is prepared (a + definite article):
Mi piace la pizza ai (a+i) quattro formaggi.Translation: I like four-cheese pizza.Description
To give more information about something:
Abito in una casa a tre piani.Translation: I live in a three-story house.Type
To indicate the type of something:
Cucino con la pentola a pressione.Translation: I cook with my pressure cooker.Indirect Object
To indicate an indirect object noun:
Regalo una borsa a Maria.Translation: I am giving a purse to Maria.To find out more about indirect objects check out our post on Indirect Object Pronouns in Italian!
How to use the preposition ‘da’ in Italian?
The preposition da is used to express place, time, and more! It’s as common as parsley in an Italian dish: ubiquitous! Here are some of its uses:
To mean “from” a place
Parto da Venezia.Translation: I leave from Venice.Want to learn more about using da to discuss place and direction?
For a period of time
Da is involved in discussing periods of time in a number of ways. It can mean “for” or “since” or “from.”
Studio italiano da due anni.Translation: I have been studying Italian for two years.Want to learn more about using da to discuss time?
Purpose
To show the use of something:
Ti piace questa tazzina da caffè?Translation: Do you like this coffee cup?Notice the difference! da caffè meaning a cup for coffee≠ di caffè meaning a cup of coffeeCause
To show the reason for something:
Ho i sintomi dello stress da studio.Translation: I have all the symptoms of study-related stress.Value
To express the worth of something:
Hai una moneta da 1 euro?Translation: Do you have a one euro coin?Agent
In passive sentences, da is used to indicate the agent (do-er). In English we use “by”:
La lezione è seguita dagli studenti.Translation: The lecture is followed by the students.In expressions like “something to…” or “nothing to…”
After an indefinite pronoun like niente meaning nothing, nessuno meaning nobody, qualcosa meaning something, qualcuno meaning somebody, molto meaning a lot, or poco meaning a little, the word da introduces an infinitive verb that explains what you’re trying to do with that pronoun. For example:
indefinite pronouninfinitive verbNon ho niente da fare.Translation: I have nothing to do.indefinite pronouninfinitive verbNon ho nessuno da condonnare.Translation: I don’t have anybody to condemn.indefinite pronouninfinitive verbHo qualcosa da dire.Translation: I have something to say.indefinite pronouninfinitive verbIn questa città c’è molto da vedere.Translation: In this city there is a lot to see.
How to use the preposition ‘in’ in Italian?
Here are some of the main uses of the preposition in in Italian:
For a place or direction
Usually for larger regions or buildings.
Abito in Via Modigliani.Translation: I live in Via Modigliani.Want to learn more about using in to talk about place and direction in Italian?
For a time
Here in is used a lot like it is in English!
In estate le giornate sono lunghe.Translation: In/during the summer, days are longer.Want to learn more about using in to talk about time in Italian?
Means
To show the method of doing something:
Pago in contanti.Translation: I pay (in) cash.Material
To describe what something is made of:
Mi compro una giacca in pelle.Translation: I am buying a leather jacket.Manner
To show the state of something:
Voglio vivere in pace.Translation: I want to live peacefully.
How to use the preposition ‘con’?
You will love con as it almost always means “with” in English!
Company
To indicate who is with whom:
Vado con Filippo.Translation: I am going with Filippo.Means of transportation
To specify the vehicle used:
Vengo con la bici.Translation: I am coming by bike/with my bike.
How to use the preposition ‘su’ in Italian?
The preposition su usually indicates the position of something, but has other uses, so keep reading!
Position: “on”
Il libro è sullo scaffale.Translation: The book is on the shelf.sullo = su + lo meaning theApproximation
To indicate an amount, with an article and number:
Il professore è sulla (su+la) quarantina.Translation: The professor is fortyish.When talking about age, omit the word anni meaning years, and add the ending -ina meaning -ish to the number indicating the age.Topic
To indicate what something is about:
Ho letto un libro su Pirandello.Translation: I read a book on Pirandello.Ratio
To indicate a ratio with numbers:
Lavoro 4 giorni su 7.Translation: I work 4 days out of 7.
How to use the preposition ‘per’ in Italian?
The preposition per has several uses in Italian, including:
To mean “through” or “for” a place
Passiamo per Napoli.Translation: We pass through Naples.sullo = su + lo meaning thePrendo l’aereo per Genova.Translation: I take the plane to Genoa.To mean “for” an amount of time
Ho abitato a Pisa per 3 anni.Translation: I lived in Pisa for three years.Reason
To explain why something happened:
- Sono a dieta per dimagrire.Translation: I am on a diet (in order) to lose weight.
- Vado per aiutarla a studiare per l’esame.Translation: I am going (in order to help) her study for the exam.
Manner
To indicate how something is being communicated or accomplished:
Mando per email.Translation: I am sending it via email.Multiplication
With numbers to indicate a product in a multiplication:
Sette per tre fa ventuno.Translation: Seven times three is twenty one. / 7 x 3 = 21Opinion
To introduce the person who has an opinion or feeling:
Per me oggi fa troppo caldo.Translation: In my opinion today is way too hot.
How to use prepositions ‘tra’ and ‘fra’?
The prepositions tra and fra are used interchangeably. They both correspond to the English “between/among” or “in.” The are used to express:
Position
An intermediate position relative to space:
Abito tra/fra Pisa e Firenze.Translation: I live between Pisa and Florence.Distance
Approximate distance to a destination:
Tra/fra dieci chilometri arriviamo a casa.Translation: In about ten kilometers we will arrive home.Time range
La lezione inizia tra/fra le 10 e le 10:15.Translation: Class starts between 10 and 10:15.
Frequent Italian verbs with prepositions
In Italian, as in English, some verbs are followed by prepositions. For example:
Cercare di meaning to try (to)
Cerco di capire.Translation: I try to understand.Aiutare a meaning to help
Aiuto a pulire.Translation: I help clean.Dipendere da meaning to depend on
Dipende dal (da+il) tempo!Translation: It depends on the weather!
For a lot more examples, check out this list to learn more Italian verbs with prepositions.
Summing up
These small words do certainly cause big confusion, but don’t worry, here is a summary with all the uses! Keep paying attention when you hear an interesting and unusual use of a preposition like parlo al telefono meaning I talk on the phone, and if you want to conquer this, try these activities. Or, keep learning by trying out these two related posts:
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