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 per la tua zia in Germania". If I understand correctly, “Scrivete” is second person plural and “tua” is second person singular - shouldn't this match. Also, why is it “la tua zia”? Shouldn't the definite article be dropped for a reference to a family member? Or does the “in Germania” act like a modifier requiring the definite article? I think that this sentence should either be “Scrivi cartoline spesso per tua zia in Germania” or “Scrivete cartoline spesso per vostra zia in Germania”.  If I'm incorrect, can someone please explain why? Thanks.

Hi Mark, 

First of all, welcome to Rocket Italian! Hope you are enjoying your Italian journey so far :) 

Thanks for your question - this is indeed the right place to get your answers.

Concerning the phrase you highlighted, although it's a little ambiguous, it is overall correct:

“Scrivete cartoline spesso per la tua zia in Germania?”
Do you (you, plural) write postcards often for your (your, singular) aunt in Germany?

The speaker could be talking to a single person but referring to an action (writing) performed by a group of people (e.g. a family). This would explain why it is used “Scrivete” (plural) rather than “Scrivi” (singular) and “tua” rather than “vostra”.

However, please note that your examples “Scrivi cartoline spesso per tua zia in Germania” or “Scrivete cartoline spesso per vostra zia in Germania” are both correct from a grammatical point of view.

Finally, concerning the article placed before “tua” - sometimes this is used in more informal/colloquial texts. It's not incorrect, but it would not be used in a formal register.

Hope this helps :) 

Hi Caterina,

Thank you for your thorough explanation.