Learning Italian can be an incredibly rewarding experience, not only because of the beauty of the language but also because of the cultural richness it unlocks. One of the fundamental aspects of mastering Italian is understanding how to use prepositions, particularly those that relate to time. Prepositions of time in Italian can be tricky for English speakers because their usage often doesn’t correspond directly to English prepositions. In this article, we will explore the main prepositions of time in Italian, providing examples and explanations to help you use them correctly.
Primary Prepositions of Time
In Italian, the primary prepositions of time are “a”, “in”, “da”, “per”, “tra/fra”, “di”, and “su”. Each one has specific uses and contexts where it is appropriate. Let’s break down each one and see how they are used.
A
The preposition “a” is commonly used to indicate specific times and dates. Here are some examples:
1. **Specific Time**:
– *a mezzogiorno* (at noon)
– *a mezzanotte* (at midnight)
– *alle tre* (at three o’clock)
2. **Dates**:
– *a Natale* (at Christmas)
– *a Capodanno* (at New Year’s)
– *a Pasqua* (at Easter)
It is important to note that when specifying exact hours, Italian uses the preposition “alle” for times that are not one o’clock:
– *alle due* (at two)
– *alle cinque* (at five)
For one o’clock, the preposition changes slightly:
– *all’una* (at one)
In
The preposition “in” is used for months, seasons, and years. Here are some examples:
1. **Months**:
– *in gennaio* (in January)
– *in agosto* (in August)
2. **Seasons**:
– *in inverno* (in winter)
– *in estate* (in summer)
3. **Years**:
– *nel 2020* (in 2020)
– *nel 1995* (in 1995)
Notice that when referring to years, “in” combines with “il” to form “nel”.
Da
The preposition “da” is used to indicate the starting point of an action or event and is often paired with the present tense. Here are some examples:
1. **Starting Point in Time**:
– *da lunedì* (since Monday)
– *da ieri* (since yesterday)
2. **Duration**:
– *da due ore* (for two hours)
– *da una settimana* (for a week)
When used with verbs in the present tense, “da” indicates an action that started in the past and is still ongoing:
– *Studio italiano da cinque mesi* (I have been studying Italian for five months)
Per
The preposition “per” indicates the duration of an action or event, often used with past or future tenses. Here are some examples:
1. **Duration**:
– *per due ore* (for two hours)
– *per una settimana* (for a week)
2. **Specific Period**:
– *per il weekend* (for the weekend)
– *per le vacanze* (for the holidays)
Unlike “da,” “per” usually refers to a completed action or a specific timeframe in the future:
– *Ho studiato italiano per cinque mesi* (I studied Italian for five months)
Tra/Fra
The prepositions “tra” and “fra” are interchangeable and are used to indicate a period of time in the future. Here are some examples:
1. **Future Timeframe**:
– *tra una settimana* (in a week)
– *fra due giorni* (in two days)
2. **Intervals**:
– *tra un’ora* (in an hour)
– *fra cinque minuti* (in five minutes)
These prepositions are particularly useful for expressing actions that will happen after a certain period:
– *Partirò tra un mese* (I will leave in a month)
Di
The preposition “di” is less frequently used to indicate time, but it does appear in certain idiomatic expressions and fixed phrases. Here are some examples:
1. **Parts of the Day**:
– *di mattina* (in the morning)
– *di sera* (in the evening)
2. **Seasons**:
– *d’estate* (in the summer)
– *d’inverno* (in the winter)
In these cases, “di” often combines with the definite article, forming contractions like “della”, “dell’”, and “dell’inverno”.
Su
The preposition “su” is not commonly used to indicate time, but it does appear in some contexts, particularly when referring to periods within a larger timeframe. Here are some examples:
1. **Within a Period**:
– *sulla fine dell’anno* (towards the end of the year)
– *sul finire della giornata* (towards the end of the day)
Combining Prepositions with Articles
In Italian, prepositions often combine with definite articles to form contractions. This is especially common with prepositions of time. Here are some examples:
1. **a + il = al**:
– *al mattino* (in the morning)
2. **in + il = nel**:
– *nel 2021* (in 2021)
3. **di + il = del**:
– *del giorno* (of the day)
4. **su + il = sul**:
– *sul finire della settimana* (towards the end of the week)
Understanding these contractions is essential for fluency, as they are frequently used in both spoken and written Italian.
Common Mistakes and Tips
Learning prepositions of time in Italian comes with its challenges, and learners often make mistakes. Here are some common pitfalls and tips to avoid them:
1. **Confusing “a” and “in”**:
– Remember that “a” is for specific times and dates, while “in” is for months, seasons, and years.
– *Correct*: a mezzanotte (at midnight)
– *Incorrect*: in mezzanotte
2. **Misusing “da” and “per”**:
– Use “da” for actions that started in the past and are ongoing, and “per” for completed actions or specific periods.
– *Correct*: Studio italiano da sei mesi (I have been studying Italian for six months)
– *Incorrect*: Studio italiano per sei mesi (This would imply you study for a future six-month period)
3. **Omitting Contractions**:
– Always use the correct contraction with the definite article.
– *Correct*: nel 2021 (in 2021)
– *Incorrect*: in il 2021
4. **Forgetting “tra/fra” for future actions**:
– Use “tra” or “fra” to indicate an action that will happen in the future.
– *Correct*: Partirò tra una settimana (I will leave in a week)
– *Incorrect*: Partirò in una settimana
Practice Exercises
To solidify your understanding of Italian prepositions of time, here are some practice exercises. Fill in the blanks with the correct prepositions:
1. ___ giugno vado in vacanza. (in)
2. Studio italiano ___ un anno. (da)
3. La festa è ___ sabato. (a)
4. Ci vediamo ___ cinque minuti. (tra/fra)
5. ___ sera mi piace leggere. (di)
6. Ho vissuto a Roma ___ tre anni. (per)
Answers
1. In giugno vado in vacanza.
2. Studio italiano da un anno.
3. La festa è a sabato.
4. Ci vediamo tra/fra cinque minuti.
5. Di sera mi piace leggere.
6. Ho vissuto a Roma per tre anni.
Conclusion
Mastering prepositions of time in Italian is a crucial step towards fluency. These small words play a big role in conveying when events happen, making your communication precise and clear. Remember, practice and exposure are key. Listen to native speakers, read Italian texts, and don’t shy away from making mistakes. Each error is an opportunity to learn and improve. Buona fortuna (good luck) with your Italian studies!
