Italian Grammar Made Easy
Episodes
#42: Seven Main Uses of the Infinitive
04 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Infinitives are verbs in their most basic form, ending in “-are”, “-ere”, and “-ire”. We can use an infinitive to express a doubt, an orde...
#41: Impersonal Verbs
28 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Impersonal verbs are used when the subject is unspecified, and only in the third person singular. There are two main categories of impersonal verbs: w...
#40: How to Use the Word "Tutto"
21 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The main meaning of the Italian word “tutto” in English is “everything”. However, “tutto” is not a straightforward word because it can wor...
#39: Twenty Useful Italian Filler Words
14 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Filler words are used to fill in the gaps in conversations. They can help us take a pause when we are not sure what to say in Italian. In this lesson ...
#38: Five Main Uses of "Allora"
07 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
You probably have already heard the Italian word “allora”. This word is very versatile and can be used in a variety of situations depending on the...
#37: Verbs with Prepositions
30 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Some Italian verbs require the use of prepositions. For example “to play” in English, when talking about playing a game, in Italian translates int...
#36: Common (Light) Italian Insults
23 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In Italian, there are quite a few insults that use animal-related words. In this episode, we cover common (light) Italian insults. Listen to this epis...
#35: The Impersonal "Si" Construction
16 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The impersonal si construction is used when the subject is unspecified. In English, the translation can be made with the subject “people” and “e...
#34: Verbs That Use Both "Essere" and "Avere"
09 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Even though most verbs will use either “essere” or “avere” in compound tenses, there are certain verbs that can use both depending on whether ...
#33: Reflexive Verbs in Italian
02 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Reflexive verbs are verbs that use reflexive pronouns because the action “reflects” on the subject. These verbs are conjugated the same way as tra...
#32: Adjectives to Describe Character
26 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
There are a lot of adjectives that we can use to describe character in Italian. In this lesson, we cover beginner-level adjectives that can be used to...
#31: The Preposition "Da"
19 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this lesson, we cover the ten most common uses of the Italian preposition “da”. Usually, prepositions have one main function. But they are also...
#30: Most Used Italian Adverbs Part 2
12 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this second lesson about Italian adverbs, we cover: adverbs of affirmation, adverbs of negation, interrogative adverbs, adverbs of doubt, and prese...
#29: Most Used Italian Adverbs Part 1
05 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this first lesson about adverbs in Italian, we learn about adverbs of time, adverbs of frequency, adverbs of quantity, adverbs of manner, and adver...
#28: Phrases to Flirt in Italian
28 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
So… You want to flirt in Italian? In this episode we cover common phrases used to flirt in Italian. Use this intermediate-level Italian lesson at yo...
#27: Italian Words with One English Translation
21 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
There are many words in Italian that have one single translation in English. For example, “il tavolo” and “la tavola” both mean “table” in...
#26: How to Agree and Disagree in Italian
15 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Being able to agree and disagree in another language is an important skill! In this lesson, we cover must-know words and phrases to agree and disagree...
#25: How to Use "Potere", "Riuscire", and "Sapere"
07 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we cover three verbs: “potere”, “riuscire”, and “sapere”. Depending on context, these three verbs can all mean “to be ab...
#24: How to Express Probability
31 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
When expressing probability in Italian, should you use “forse” or “magari”? What’s the difference and are there other ways to say whether so...
#23: Giving Compliments and Congratulations in Italian
24 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
What phrases can we use to compliment someone in Italian? What about congratulating someone? In this lesson, we cover essential words for giving compl...
#22: How to Tell the Time in Italian
17 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we cover how to tell the time in Italian. Note that in Italy the 24-hour clock, or military time, is very common and used at museums,...
#21: How to Build Sentences in Italian
10 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Building sentences in Italian it’s easier than you think! In this lesson, we cover the basic word order in Italian so that you can start building It...
#20: Ten Useful Phrases for When You Forget How to Speak Italian
03 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
You’re answering a question in Italian and all of a sudden you are not sure what to say. Trust me, this happens to everyone. In this lesson, we cove...
#19: Twenty Ways to Say Thank You and You Are Welcome
24 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
To say “thank you” in Italian, we can simply say “grazie”. To say “you are welcome”, we can use “prego”. There are also more advanced ...
#18: The Verb "Fare": Meaning and Uses
17 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we talk about the verb “fare”. While the main translation in English is “to do, to make”, there are many fixed expressions wi...
#17: Ten Colloquial Expressions You Should Know
10 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Colloquial language is the language used every day by native speakers, but usually not addressed in language textbooks. In this lesson learn ten collo...
#16: The Difference Between "Bisogna", "Ho Bisogno", and "C'è Bisogno"
03 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The English verb “to need” has various translations in Italian. We can choose to specify the subject or use the impersonal construction where the ...
#15: How to Use Eight Question Words
27 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Question words are an essential part of language learning because they help us ask questions and carry out conversations in Italian. In this lesson le...
#14: How to Conjugate Verbs in Italian
20 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we learn how to conjugate verbs in Italian. In linguistics, to conjugate means to change the base form of the verb so that it agrees ...
#13: Six Difficult Italian Words and How to Use Them
13 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this intermediate-level episode, we focus on six difficult Italian words, adverbs, and how to use them correctly in Italian. These words are: “al...
#12: Cognates and False Cognates
07 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we learn about cognates and false cognates between Italian and English. Cognates are words from different languages that have similar...
#11: Do You Make These Grammar Errors in Italian?
30 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this lesson, we cover four common grammar errors made by Italian learners. Do you make these errors as well? No problem! Learn how to fix them with...
#10: Ten Simple Questions and Answers to Use at Dinner
23 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
You’re ready to have a conversation in Italian! In this episode, learn ten simple questions and answers that you can use at dinner to practice Itali...
#9: How to Talk About Likes and Dislikes
17 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this Italian lesson, we learn how to talk about likes and dislikes. The Italian verb “piacere”, in English “to like”, is not conjugated lik...
#8: Introductions and Talking About Yourself
10 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we learn one of the essential topics when learning a new language. Learn how to introduce yourself and how to talk about yourself in ...
#7: How to Use Nine Basic Linking Words
03 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Learn how to use nine basic linking words in Italian. These words are very important because they help us create longer sentences and connect ideas to...
#6: To Use the Present Tense or the Future Tense?
25 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In Italian, we often use the simple present tense to talk about future events. That is why, especially at the beginning of your Italian language journ...
#5: "Ci" and "Ne": How and When to Use Them
18 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this intermediate-level episode, we cover how to use the particle “ci” and the particle “ne” in Italian. There are many different uses of t...
#4: When to Use Passato Prossimo and Imperfetto
11 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we learn about the two main types of past tense in Italian: “passato prossimo” and “imperfetto”. These tenses are not interch...
#3: "C’è" and "Ci Sono": When and How to Use Them
04 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode for beginners, we learn how to use “c’è” and “ci sono” in Italian. In English, there is a direct translation. “C’è” ...
#2: The Difference Between "Conoscere" and "Sapere"
28 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The verb “conoscere” and the verb “sapere” both translate into “to know” in English. These verbs are not interchangeable in Italian! Both ...
#1: "Essere" or "Avere" with the Passato Prossimo?
21 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we learn how to choose between the auxiliary verb “essere” and the auxiliary verb “avere” when using the “passato prossimo”...