use of articles

why parlare italiano but studare l'italiano? article use in one but not in the other.

Ciao Geraldine, The rule is the article is used most of the time except when: -in a sentence where the language is preceeded by the verb "parlare" examples: io parlo italiano-io parlo francese-io parlo inglese -in a sentence where the language is preceeded by the prepositions "di" (of) or"in" (in) example: il professore di tedesco example: il documento e' in italiano I hope this helps. Ciao

Ciao Maria, I have the same question as well, and in lesson 1.7 I see the article appearing even when the verb "parlare" is used. For example, the lesson has "non parlo l'italiano", "parla l'inglese", etc. Why is the article used in these sentences but not in "parli italiano"? Grazie! Cari

Ciao Cari, I find this confusing too. Did someone respond to your question?