Italian for English speakers House · Lesson 6

Under and on

Italian spatial prepositions — sotto il tavolo (under the table) — and perché (because) for reasons.

Conversation

  1. Cassian Cassian

    Perché leggi sotto il tavolo?

    Why are you reading under the table?

    Tip: Present tense in Italian correspond to 3 English tenses A) present simple, to describe routines B) present progressive, to describe events happening right now C) future

  2. Pishi Pishi

    Perché la sedia è troppo bassa per me.

    Because the chair is too low for me

    Tip: <Basso> = low/ short

  3. Cassian Cassian

    Puoi salire sopra il tavolo, se vuoi

    You can get on the table, if you wish

  4. Pishi Pishi

    Va bene

    Ok

Common questions

Quick answers about this lesson's grammar and vocabulary.

How do you say 'under' in Italian?

Sotto + noun: sotto il tavolo (under the table), sotto la sedia (under the chair).

Perché vs perchè?

Perché means 'why' AND 'because'. Same spelling for both. Context tells you which: ¿Perché? (why?) vs perché ho fame (because I'm hungry).

Common Italian position words?

Sotto (under), sopra (above), accanto a (next to), tra/fra (between), davanti (in front), dietro (behind), in (in).

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