By taking the time to understand how the Italian language works, you'll be able to speak Italian naturally, and read and write in Italian. We know this can be one of the more challenging parts of your course, and we’re here to help! You can browse the topics, do a search in the top right corner of this page, or start a new conversation. Don’t be shy!
How describe feelings in the past
Hi. Can someone advise me please? How do I say: “I felt ill yesterday” I've seen examples using passato prossimo like “Mi sono sentito male ieri” However, since we are describing a state of mind, not a completed action I thought the imperfect would be mor...
2 replies - Last post by David. - July 1, 2022
Ciao a Tutti,Please help: with ALL nouns eg gatto and gatta--- is there a KEY to changing from masculine to feminine? Or do you have to remember both words for male cat and female cat? Any good cheat sheets out there? Grazie Million.
2 replies - Last post by caterina-rocket-italian-tutor - June 16, 2022
Question about a sample sentence in section 4.9 of Level 1
Hi, I've only been on Rocket Italian for a little over a month, and I'm really enjoying it. I hope that this is the correct place to post my question. In section 4.9 of Level 1 there is a sentence that I am having trouble with: “Scrivete cartoline spesso...
2 replies - Last post by MarkB137 - May 25, 2022
Using indirect and direct pronouns together
Can anyone explain how “ Ce li chiedono” translates to “They ask us for them”?Isn't ‘Ce' the indirect pronoun? Shouldn't it be “They ask them for us”?
1 reply - Last post by caterina-rocket-italian-tutor - May 25, 2022
Ciao a tuttiIn lesson 7.7 Prendo il piatto del giorno. I will have the plate of the day.Can one use this in as: "i have the plate of the day. In other words I am eating this Sebongela
4 replies - Last post by sebongela - May 9, 2022
Present simple and present progressive tense
How do we know when to use present simple tense or present continuous tense?
3 replies - Last post by caterina-rocket-italian-tutor - May 9, 2022
Double Pronouns with Passive Participle
Hello, Is there a module on Rocket Italian that deals with double pronouns with passive participle? For example: Hai portato la spessa alla nonna? (Did you bring the shopping to grandma?)Sì, gliel'ho portata. (Yes, I brought it to her) I'd like to explor...
1 reply - Last post by caterina-rocket-italian-tutor - May 9, 2022
Lesson 5.6 Sentence - Technical Breakdown Request
Hi there, For the sentence: Te li regala Enrico?Does Enrico give them to you? Why isn't it: Te li Enrico regala? That's how I always want to translate it in my head. Can I get an explanation why the English translation is written the first way? Is my way ...
2 replies - Last post by caterina-rocket-italian-tutor - May 9, 2022
In what situations would we use ‘avvicinarsi’ instead of ‘avvicinare’?I am confused because both mean ‘to get near’ or ‘to come closer’. I don't understand the need of the reflexive verb here.What would be the difference between using “mi avvicino” and “...
1 reply - Last post by caterina-rocket-italian-tutor - May 9, 2022
I need help with a grammar rule ...when to use io, mi, sto...( I am)
Ciao…I have been studying Italian for 2 years…very slowly…and I always have this issue regardless of where I am with my studies. When do I use the correct form of “essere” when it comes to actions I am taking?io, sono, mi, sto…it is giving me anxiety all ...
9 replies - Last post by sebongela - April 30, 2022
Back before level 2 was updated, there was a lesson on partative articles (when you want “some” or “a part of” something. According to my notes there are a few ways to say this, but there was a handy table on combining “di + definite article” that I can't...
3 replies - Last post by NicholasL23 - April 21, 2022
How to know which preposition to put in front of a verb, and which do not need prepositions
Hello, How do I know which proposition to put in front of an infinitive verb? Or, why is there sometimes no preposition? For instance: Ho deciso di portare una bottiglia di vino.Vado a prendere la macchina.Devo andare a lavoro. Is it just pure memorizatio...
4 replies - Last post by JamesP69 - April 20, 2022
Hi, I am learning the Imperfect Tense in lesson 9.5. I noticed it can be used for ‘was/were talking’ and ‘used to talk’. In English they have somewhat different meanings. ‘Used to talk’ suggests reminiscing about a distant past, whereas ‘was talking’ nor...
3 replies - Last post by caterina-rocket-italian-tutor - April 6, 2022
Cose vi è succeso? Shouldn't it be ti instead of vi to agree with è? Or vi siete? Cose ti è succeso?Cose vi siete succeso?
3 replies - Last post by LuzM18 - March 29, 2022
Hello,Can you help with a grammar question please?I am on lesson 9.2. The lesson has this phrase in the conversation: L'ha indossata - did you wear it? I thought the past participle of indossare with ‘avere’ would be indossato - ending in -o'. Can you t...
3 replies - Last post by David. - March 23, 2022
Ciao a tuttiI'm confused by this translation:Ho visto tuo fratello qualche minuto fa.(I) saw your brother a few minutes ago.Is there a reason it isn't “minuti” as it is plural?GrazieChris
3 replies - Last post by sebongela - March 1, 2022
Purpose of the word in this context
What is the purpose of the word “il” in this sentence: Lei `e il mio collega.
2 replies - Last post by caterina-rocket-italian-tutor - February 28, 2022
Voglio dare loro un consiglio.After stating that the indirect personal pronoun goes before the verb, why does loro go after the verb “dare”When the previous sentences they go before the verb.When is this ever not confusing. LOLSebongela
1 reply - Last post by caterina-rocket-italian-tutor - February 16, 2022
Have been working through direct object pronouns, revision as well as from a text book. In the text book they refer to “Forte e debole” object pronouns and is this an antiquated approach.Was also revising Level 1 direct object pronouns,Came across Lo vedi...
1 reply - Last post by caterina-rocket-italian-tutor - January 24, 2022
Ciao a tuttiIn this conversation the “ Lei and voi” are in brackets. Does this mean they don't need to be said? As well as the “ Ii ho pasatto”. Just want to clarify. Io needn't be said due to the verb forms implying that.CiaoSebongela
3 replies - Last post by Margaret-RocketLanguages - November 28, 2021
The Conditional Tense (condizionale) - Where to find the lesson?
Hi,I was looking for the lesson on Conditional Tense (condizionale) . I remember seeing it in the old course, but unable to find it in the new one, going by the titles in the Language and Culture section. I did a search and came up with one reference, bu...
3 replies - Last post by MarkL57 - November 17, 2021
Hi andiamo pescando instead of peschiamo.You say activities like this, but what is the distinction? I know this is not meant to give you everything, but one example is not very helpful. As the rest of the sentences are all ando or endo. Is this just case ...
1 reply - Last post by caterina-rocket-italian-tutor - November 1, 2021
Ciao a tuttiThe verb approfittare looks like a regular verb in conjugations.My question is is regularity ruled only by the present tense? In other words is that where verbs are deemed regular or irregular.I just have not been able to find confirmation of ...
3 replies - Last post by caterina-rocket-italian-tutor - November 1, 2021
Hi, Just to clarify, is "molte" the feminine form of noun? Grazie.
3 replies - Last post by caterina-rocket-italian-tutor - November 1, 2021
CiaoHa scritto sopra il suo nameHow come it is “ha not hai” if in the translation it has “You” in brackets. All these idiosyncrisies drive me a little crazy. I guess English is the same. Sebongela
2 replies - Last post by caterina-rocket-italian-tutor - November 1, 2021
I'm a bit confused by the conditional. I understand the conjugations and when to use them, but grammatically - is it a mood or a tense? A LOT of material about the conditional from level 2 is gone now, but still shows up when you use the search function. ...
1 reply - Last post by caterina-rocket-italian-tutor - November 1, 2021
Ciao ragazzi, Hoping someone can help explain the subtle differences between “quello che/quelli che/ciò” I've seen these expressions a lot in written Italian and by listening to Italian audio. If I'm not mistaken/understand correctly;Quello che = thatQue...
2 replies - Last post by MichaelC1888 - October 18, 2021
Are there any lessons in Italian 3 that focus on using the pronouns ci, ne and ce?Thank you!
1 reply - Last post by Liss-Rocket-Languages-Tutor - October 15, 2021
To level 3 learners and Rocket mods - especially those who have also learned Spanish
Dear allHaving worked your way through Italian to level 3, how have you found learning the grammar, especially those who can compare it to Spanish?What method - aside from following Rocket obviously - did you find most useful?I ask (a) because I'm finding...
4 replies - Last post by ChrisM108 - October 9, 2021
Lesson sending a package home. Lo Metta Sulla bilancia. Put it on the scaleThen mettere to putMettere to takeIs this part of the same verb, meaning take or put?
3 replies - Last post by caterina-rocket-italian-tutor - October 4, 2021
Question about a phrase I came across in the pre-lesson dialogues:“… quando si viaggia sia per piacere che per affari.”“… when one travels both for pleasure and for business.” I don't remember coming across these combinations in the grammar lessons. I'm u...
1 reply - Last post by caterina-rocket-italian-tutor - September 21, 2021
Is “la sua casa” the same as ”Casa sua"? After struggling so much to wrap my head around lesson 4.7, lesson 4.8 throws the second variation at me! Please say it is interchangeable!
2 replies - Last post by LuzM18 - September 16, 2021
Lesson 8.8 - Sono sposato da cinque anni
In Lesson 8.8 we learn that there are two constructions that we can use when talking about a length of time that started in the past but is currently ongoing. They are: (i) [present action] + da + [length of time] and (ii), essere + [length of time] + ...
6 replies - Last post by caterina-rocket-italian-tutor - August 30, 2021
Why was, "qualche" used with the plural, "mese" instead of, "mesa"
Lesson 9.3 includes the phrase, “che vengono ad abitare nel Torinese per qualche mese quest’estate.” I always thought that, “qualche” must be used with a singular noun, but the above phrase uses it with the plural, “mese." Why isn't the correct phrase, ...
1 reply - Last post by caterina-rocket-italian-tutor - August 26, 2021
Ciao a tuttiLavoro piu di te. Are we using di instead of che because of the I work as in the comparison is about the “I” not the lavoro.So confusingA prestoSebongela
1 reply - Last post by caterina-rocket-italian-tutor - August 26, 2021
Ciao a tuttiAm doing the lesson on “What is better”Lavoro piu di te.According to your notes Piu/meno… che. Use with a verb.Why is this then di and not che?So confusingSebongela
1 reply - Last post by caterina-rocket-italian-tutor - August 26, 2021
che Le sarà utile per il Suo reclamo.
Not sure I have got this correctly. If the “Le” is informal then why is she using it with a client that she doesn't know and not a formal version. If there is one
1 reply - Last post by caterina-rocket-italian-tutor - August 10, 2021
Ciao, ho una domanda a chiedere Does it follow that every Italian noun that ends with -o means that it is a Masculine noun and vice versa, nouns that end with -a imply that they belong to the feminine? Example: il zaino, il bagno, il mano, il tavolo Gr...
3 replies - Last post by caterina-rocket-italian-tutor - August 10, 2021
Re lesson 4.9 Direct Object Pronouns
One of the ‘Know Its’ for 4.9 asks for the direct object pronoun for ‘Gabriele holds it’. The answer given is ‘Gabriele lo tiene’. Doesn't the ‘lo’ imply that what she is holding is 'male' - but how can you tell that from the question. There are numerous ...
0 replies - Last post by johnnorthrop549 - August 9, 2021
What is "si" - where did it come, and how do I use it?
Hello,I heard “si" (not sì) is used as a term for a general “you” like, “one would do this”.However, I don't see much on the internet or even Rocket Italian regarding it's usage.“si può perdere” “you will lose it" is an example I online recently watching...
3 replies - Last post by marieg-rocket languages - July 27, 2021
The difference between "di" and "da" as prepositions
In two different instances I see “di” used to mean “from” and “da” to mean “from”, and I don't understand the distinction. Can you explain this to me?
1 reply - Last post by caterina-rocket-italian-tutor - July 19, 2021
Mamma mia e troppoWow ChrisM41, you were right, level 2 is one big grammar festival.I think I am going to go through the grammar first. Maybe not as daunting as I think it is going to be. Hopefully or wishful thinking at any rate
4 replies - Last post by sebongela - July 1, 2021
Revising this lesson and wondered why it is “Ad Allessandro piace il libro”, but the following sentence is “a Chiara piacciono i cioccolatini”The Grammar is driving me a bit crazy. I will eventually get it, but keep on going back and revising, very slow g...
4 replies - Last post by caterina-rocket-italian-tutor - June 21, 2021
I'm starting get a feel of when to use essere and stare. But there are a couple of examples in lesson 4.6 I'm not sure of.When you say "Il ragazzo è in piedi." Does that mean the boy is performing the action of standing up from a sitting position?Also, d...
2 replies - Last post by MarkL57 - June 5, 2021
Was revising the trip to the tourist office.If you use “ Fare colazione” Does the same apply to Cena and pranzo. As in “ fare Cena”?Have a great day
1 reply - Last post by caterina-rocket-italian-tutor - May 31, 2021
Sì. Quanto costano quelli là?Yes. How much do those over there cost? Sì. Quanto costano quelli là?Yes. How much do those over there cost?Why not queiMasculine consonant so why quelli not queiFind this so confusing
1 reply - Last post by caterina-rocket-italian-tutor - May 17, 2021
Why viene and not vengo for IMi viene da piangere adesso.I feel like crying right now.So confusing at times. I know there must be a logical explanation, just for the life of me can't think what
3 replies - Last post by caterina-rocket-italian-tutor - May 17, 2021
How to tackle Language & Culture lessons
I've been working through level 1 of Rocket Italian and I'm loving the format! I have a great routine going and I feel like I'm learning and retaining the content well.The only problem I've been running into is the language and culture lessons. I LOVE tha...
2 replies - Last post by sebongela - May 7, 2021
Guardando il mare Penso alle vacanze.Gauardandolo Penso alle vacanze.Not sure if this is correct then.Lo guardando Penso alle vacanze. ( This one- is it acceptable too.
1 reply - Last post by caterina-rocket-italian-tutor - May 6, 2021
Tenete in mente quello che vi dico.(You) remember what I tell (you all).Why tenete and not tieni for the “YOU”
7 replies - Last post by sebongela - May 4, 2021