Prepositions

Italian Lesson 4 (Prepositions and Directions)

Duration: 30 mins

Lessons Italian Lessons
Linguistic Italian Vocabulary
Culture Italian Phrases
Structure Italian Grammar

This first lesson teaches many important aspect of Italian like prepositions, vocabulary list about directions and finally common phrases about how to introduce yourself. I will try to give examples using both vocabulary and grammar. That way it will be easy for you to see the words when they are separate and when they are in a sentence. Going through the whole page should take about 30 min. Make sure to read the pronunciation and hear the audio as well. If you have any question about this course, please email me directly at Italian Classes.

Prepositions

Prepositions are used in almost every sentence. They can be a great tool to link words with each other. For example by simply knowing how to use "to", "with", "from", "after" you can expand your conversation scope. In short, a preposition describes a relationship between words in a sentence, for example: I agree with you.

Below is a list of 27 prepositions that you might come across or use very often. The table contains 3 columns (English, Italian, and Audio). Make sure you repeat each word after hearing it by either clicking on the audio button or by reading the pronunciation. That should help with memorization as well as improving your pronunciation.

Prepositions List in Italian

Prepositions Italian Audio
In front ofDi fronte a
BehindDietro
BeforePrima
AfterDopo
InsideDentro
WithCon
WithoutSenza
OutsideFuori; Al di fuori
On top ofSopra
UnderSotto
About (in regards to)Riguardo; Circa; Per quanto concerne
AgainstContro
AndE
As (similar to)Come
BetweenTra
ButMa
ForPer
FromDa
InIn
Instead ofInvece di
NearVicino
OfDi
OrO
SincePoiché
SoCosì
ToA
UntilFino a quando

Now we will try to implement some of the prepositions above into full Italian sentences. That way you will be able to use the word not only by itself but embedded in a structure.

Italian Prepositions in a Sentence

English Italian Audio
Can I practice Italian with you?Posso fare pratica di italiano con voi?
I speak French but with an accentParlo francese, ma si sente l'accento
I was born in MiamiSono nato a Miami
I'm from JapanVengo dal Giappone
The letter is inside the bookLa lettera è nel libro
The pen is under the deskla penna è sotto la scrivania
Directions
Can I help you?Ha bisogno di aiuto?

Questions?

If you have any questions, please contact me If you simply want to ask a question, please Italian contact form on the header above.

Vocabulary List about Directions

Below is a list of 28 words and sentences related to directions that you might need when lost or asking for help. If you can memorize them by heart, you will be able to travel from point A to point B by following directions.

Giving Directions in Italian

Directions Italian Audio
Can you help me?Può aiutarmi?
Can you show me?Puoi farmi vedere?
Come with me!Vieni con me
Downtown (city center)In centro
Excuse me! (to ask someone)Mi scusi
Go straightProcedi dritto
How can I get to the museum? Come posso arrivare al museo?
How long does it take to get there?Quanto ci vuole ad arrivarci
I'm lostMi sono perso
I'm not from hereNon sono del luogo
It's far from hereè lontano da qui
It's near hereè qui vicino
One moment please!Aspetta un attimo, per favore
Turn leftGira a sinistra
Turn rightGira a destra
FarLontano
HereQui
LeftSinistra
RightDestra
NearVicino
StraightDritto
There
To driveGuidare
To turnSvoltare
To walkCamminare
Traffic lightSemaforo
TransportationTrasporti; Mezzi di trasporto

Daily Conversation in Italian

Finally, a couple sentences to help you know how to introduce yourself in Italian. For a complete list of commonly used sentences, please visit our Italian Phrases page. Enjoy!

Common Expressions in Italian

English Italian Audio
Do you speak English?Parli inglese? (inf.) / Parla inglese? (form.)
Just a littleUn po'
What's your name?Come ti chiami? (inf.) / Come si chiama? (form.)
My name is (John Doe)Mi chiamo (John Doe)
Mr... / Mrs. ... / Miss...Sig. ... / Sig.ra ... / Sig.na ...
Nice to meet you!Piacere di conoscerla!
You're very kind!Lei è molto gentile (form.) / Sei molto gentile (inf.)

Fun Facts

Language Quote: The language of a society changes slowly but steadily with the result that an educated person will not be able to read or understand words in his language written 500 years ago. Do you feel like you can't talk to your parents? Maybe it's because you belong to the Niger-Congo family. More than 1,400 languages are spoken by different members of this family from Africa..

Congratulations! You finished your 4th lesson in Italian about prepositions, and directions. Are you ready for the next lesson? We recommend Italian Lesson 5. You can also simply click on one of the links below or go back to our Learn Italian homepage.

Lessons Italian Lessons
Linguistic Italian Vocabulary
Culture Italian Phrases
Structure Italian Grammar