When do we use the Italian "a" and when do we use "in" when saying we're going "to" somewhere (to the store, to the cinema, to Italy, etc.), or we're sending something "to" someone? What about when something is happening "to" me?

Ciao Chuck, In Italian the preposition "a" can be translated in "to", "at" or "in". It will be used : -to give the idea of going somewhere example: io vado al negozio (io go to the shop) -to give the idea to be somewhere example: io sono a Roma (I'm in Rome) io sono a casa (I'm at home) -as the English preposition "to" example: io spedisco il pacco a Sara (I'm sending the parcel to Sara) example: che cosa succederà a Maria? (What will happen to Maria?) The preposition "in" is used : -in front of names of counties, regions or continents example: io vado in Italia (I go to Italy) io vivo in America (I live in the United States) Please let me know if something is not clear. Buon divertimento :) Ciao

Ciao Maria, Gràzie mille. Ho capito adèsso. Chuck

Maria, I have a question about something in your answer. In one of the examples, you used "Io vivo in America." I had read somewhere that the verb "vivere" translates to "live" but should not be used for the form that means "reside". In that case the verb "abitare" should be used, so the example would be "Io abito in America." Is this correct or is "vivere" acceptable for all forms of "live"?

Ciao Chuck, the verb "abitare" is used only meaning "to reside" or "to dwell". "Vivere" instead can be used as "to reside" but also as "live" , "experience life". Examples: -io abito a Milano -io vivo a Milano are both correct. Few common sentences: -Vivi e lascia vivere = live and let live -vivere fino a cent'anni = to live to be a hundred I hope this help. Buon divertimento. Ciao.