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 the time that I cannot get this grammar rule down after 2 years of working on this.  Just when I think it should be sono…it is mi. It's exhausting. Can anyone out there give me a tried and true table of when I should use the correct form and use a simple phrase, se è possibile, to show me. Also, give me the reason why it is used in that way for the action being taken. Grazie mille!! Nathan 

Ciao Nathan

Caterina will give you an excellent explanation.  For me, it's all down to conjugations and syntax.  Apparently :). I find it gets much easier when you go with the flow, and learn from examples from context in the Rocket lessons (via revision), and only resort to grammar rules when essential.

Per esempio: 

• Come stai oggi? Sto bene grazie.
• Come stai oggi? (Io) sono un po' confuso.

https://grammar.collinsdictionary.com/italian-easy-learning/essere-and-stare For a helpful, graphic explanation.

https://onlineitalianclub.com/free-italian-exercises-and-resources/online-italian-course-beginner-level-a1/introduction-to-italian-verbs/ If you want to have a look at the grammar rules.

I suggest you try different resources (e.g. YouTube) rather than get frustrated by your perceived lack of progress on this issue.  The more fun you have with the language, the easier it gets.  Just my perspective, having been mega-frustrated by the grammar in the past.

Buona fortuna

Chris

Hi All

I got so uptight with grammar, it just wasn't fun anymore. I am learning languages, because I enjoy them. So I have just relaxed about it and now do what I feel like and I believe that once we stop worrying about it, it eventually does come together. I find as I go through the lessons, I eventually see patterns. I really battled with indirect object pronouns and then even more so, when combining them. Now I have begun to notice them used in conversations and they are forming a better understanding. I just don't worry too much about it now. 

I do find on occasion being awake and night and trying to remember something. It eventaully does pop into my brain, even if it is much later.

Enjoy your language studies

Sebongela

I'm working through lesson 3.9 right now and it can be very confusing. From lesson 3.9 “use stare for some locations and states of being and essere for things that are permanent or temporary. ”

The definition of “il ragazzo sta in piedi” (remains standing or continues to stand) and “il ragazzo è in piedi" (is standing right now) is contradictory to "Valentina cane è calma" (is a calm person/calm all the time) and "Valentina sta calma” (is calm right now). These are examples taken directly from lesson 3.9.

I'm not sure why “sono arrabbiato” would be the correct way of saying I am angry. Wouldn't that imply I am an angry person if we relate it to the “Valentina è calma” example?

At the end of the day @NathanF17, I'd say don't let anxiety interfere with your speaking. Just say it the way you know it and 90% of the time people will understand you. You may look like an idiot through the learning process, but that's part of learning. I speak from experience learning French in an all French speaking neighborhood. But I would like an answer to this whole stare-essere question since there is some contradictory information as I understand it.

Hi Anthony1648

This is probably the incorrect thing to say.  

But I think it depends on why you are learning Italian. If you are learning to do exams and need perfection and high grades, then complete understanding is key. If that is the reason then Rocket languages is just not the place for complete understanding just not enough information in the grammar lessons especially. For me personally I want to understand and be understood and if I don't get it all, I am okay with that.

So now I do the grammar, but no longer overthink and stress about it.  Online Italian club had an interesting article today about it. I have subscribed to his newsletters and find he has a really practical and realistic approach to language learning. 

Should I make a bit of an idiot or for that matter a complete idiot when I speak Italian I will probably and thankfully not be aware of it. I can live with that too. 

Enjoy you weekend.

Sebongela

I agree with Sebongela's view.  Languages are either about effective communication or theoretical knowledge.  Grammar is a tool to assist with the former in my opinion, not the master.  I only became comfortable with grammatical knowledge after accepting that.  Lastly, each language has its own unique challenge - just go with the flow and enjoy!

Buona fortuna!

Chris

Hi ChrisM108

Hope you are well and having fun learning. You made me smile. It took me awhile to get to that point. and Daniel from the Italian newsletter put it in perspective. At one stage I got so frustrated, wanted to stomp and just stop even trying to understand the grammar. Just so much happier and content now and far more enjoyable. Decided not to sweat the small stuff.

Have a good weeknd 

Sebongela

Ciao Sebongela

Sto bene, grazie. E tu?  I'm still enjoying the learning and hope you're juggling Italian and German well.  I'm spending more time than usual on studying Ci and Ne, in that so much of it is gleaned from context, and that's far from second nature at this stage.  

A presto

Chris

Buongiorno ChrisM108

Sto bene, grazie. Am finding balance with both languages. For a bit was concentrating on German to get up to speed. Try and spend equal amounts of time on both languages. Am doing more book learning on Italian at this stage, to understand the grammar better. Still my nemesis, but am stressing about it. I really do find explanations in books more enlightening, as use several resources, to practice and get a better understanding. Have added Swedish to my repetoire and wish that Rocket would introduce a Nordic language. That I am taking very, very slowly, so different to anything I have ever looked at. We would like to plan a trip to the Nordic countries and even if all I can say is the basics I am good with that. 

Philip has no interest in languages, an engineer, although he does have a bit of French. When he used to try and speak Afrikaans I would almost fall down laughing. Being Portuguese he speaks that wonderfully and English too. To each his own.

Have a wonderful weekend

Sebongela

Ciao team,

Thank you for raising your concerns about the usage of "stare" and "essere" in lesson 3.9. I understand that it can be confusing when there are apparent contradictions in the explanations. Let me try to clarify:

• -` In the examples you provided, "il ragazzo sta in piedi" and "il ragazzo è in piedi," the difference lies in the aspect of time. "Il ragazzo sta in piedi" indicates that the boy remains standing or continues to stand, implying a continuous action. On the other hand, "il ragazzo è in piedi" means the boy is standing right at that moment, indicating a temporary state of being.
• -` As for "Valentina cane è calma" and "Valentina sta calma," the distinction is again related to time. "Valentina cane è calma" means Valentina is a calm person or is generally calm all the time, reflecting a more permanent characteristic. Meanwhile, "Valentina sta calma" suggests that Valentina is calm right now, expressing a temporary state of being.
• -` Regarding "sono arrabbiato" to say "I am angry," you are correct that it could imply a more permanent state, similar to "Valentina è calma." It's essential to consider the context and the speaker's intention. If you want to express a temporary emotion, you could say "sono arrabbiato in questo momento" (I am angry right now).
•  

Language learning is a journey of understanding and effective communication. While grammar is a helpful tool, it's essential to focus on being understood and gaining practical language skills. Don't be afraid to make mistakes; it's all part of the learning process.

If you need any further clarification or have more questions, don't hesitate to ask. Buon apprendimento (happy learning)!

Hi Nathan

I gave up getting stressed by the grammar. I was just not enjoying myself anymore. For me learning a language is something that I enjoy, but was getting so tied up in the grammar. I know take things in small bits. I have recently had this experience with German Adjectives. So much information crammed into one lesson. I actually started avoiding that bit. When I was recently in Germany, I knew I was getting them all wrong, so have gone back to that lesson. Am now only doing a small section. Am doing that small bit everyday, until I am comfortable with the endings and only then will I move on. I have had the same experiences with Italian grammar and I am happier now just comcentrating on one point at a time.

Maxie

Hi there, Maxie,

It's great to hear that you've found a more enjoyable approach to language learning by focusing on smaller chunks of grammar. Taking your time and practicing until you feel comfortable with each point is a fantastic strategy. Remember, language learning is a journey, and there's no need to rush.

If you have any questions or need support, feel free to reach out to us. We're here to help!

Happy learning! :)