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Italian • Level 1 • GRAMMAR

a

💡 Grammar Rule

Understanding the Italian Preposition A

The preposition a is one of the most versatile and essential words in the Italian language. It connects different parts of a sentence to show direction, time, recipients, and more.

1. Place and Destination

In Italian, a is primarily used to indicate location or movement toward a destination. It is the standard preposition used with cities and certain specific places.

  • Abitare a Londra. (To live in London.)
  • Andare al cinema. (To go to the cinema.)
  • Essere a casa. (To be at home.)
  • Trovarsi a cento metri dal mare. (To be located one hundred meters from the sea.)

2. Expressions of Time

We use a to specify a particular point in time or a specific month.

  • Partire alle sette. (To leave at seven.)
  • A luglio fa caldo. (In July it is hot.)

3. The Indirect Object

One of the most important grammatical roles of a is to introduce the indirect object—the person who receives or benefits from an action.

  • Dare il libro a Silvia. (To give the book to Silvia.)
  • Scrivere ai genitori. (To write to one's parents.)

4. Characteristics and Manner

The preposition a can describe how something is made, its flavor, or a defining physical trait.

  • Un gelato al limone. (A lemon-flavored ice cream.)
  • Fatto a mano. (Handmade.)
  • Cucinare al vapore. (To steam cook.)

5. Connecting Verbs to Infinitives

Many Italian verbs require the preposition a before a second verb in the infinitive. This is common with verbs of movement, beginning, or continuing.

  • Andare a lavorare. (To go to work.)
  • Cominciare a capire. (To begin to understand.)
  • Riuscire a sentire. (To manage to hear / To be able to hear.)
Where do you live?
Dove abiti?
I live in Rome.
Vivo a Roma.
I am going to school.
Vado a scuola.
Have a nice day!
Buona giornata!
What time is the lesson?
A che ora è la lezione?
At nine.
Alle nove.
Give the pen to Maria.
Dai la penna a Maria.
Okay, I’ll do it now.
Va bene, lo faccio ora.
Do you want a lemon gelato?
Vuoi un gelato al limone?
No, I prefer chocolate.
No, preferisco il cioccolato.
We are going on foot.
Andiamo a piedi.
It’s a beautiful day for a walk.
È una bella giornata per camminare.
Do you want to go eat?
Vuoi andare a mangiare?
Yes, I am very hungry.
Sì, ho molta fame.
Marco is in Paris.
Marco è a Parigi.
Lucky him!
Beato lui!
The train arrives at midday.
Il treno arriva a mezzogiorno.
We need to hurry.
Dobbiamo fare in fretta.
To whom do you write the letter?
A chi scrivi la lettera?
I write to my grandmother.
Scrivo a mia nonna.
I like the striped shirt.
Mi piace la camicia a righe.
It looks good on you.
Ti sta molto bene.
Is it handmade?
È fatto a mano?
Yes, it is very special.
Sì, è molto speciale.
I start to study now.
Comincio a studiare ora.
Good luck with your exam.
Buona fortuna per l’esame.
Are the kids at home?
I bambini sono a casa?
No, they are at the park.
No, sono al parco.
When is your birthday?
Quando è il tuo compleanno?
In June.
A giugno.
She continues to talk.
Lei continua a parlare.
She is very chatty.
È molto chiacchierona.
Are you all going to the sea?
Andate al mare?
Yes, with my family.
Sì, con la mia famiglia.
I bring a gift to the children.
Porto un regalo ai bambini.
They will be very happy.
Saranno molto felici.
Do we go by bike?
Andiamo in bici?
No, let’s go on foot.
No, andiamo a piedi.
Let’s meet at the bar.
Vediamoci al bar.
See you there at five.
Ci vediamo lì alle cinque.
Can you hear the music?
Riesci a sentire la musica?
Yes, it is very loud.
Sì, è molto forte.
This cake is lemon-flavored.
Questa torta è al limone.
It smells delicious.
Ha un profumo delizioso.
We leave at seven.
Partiamo alle sette.
I set the alarm.
Ho messo la sveglia.
Are you coming to play?
Vieni a giocare?
Sorry, I have to work.
Scusa, devo lavorare.

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