Preposizioni semplici e articolate

Prepositions are small but very important words in Italian. They are used to link words and sentences by giving information about a place, time, manner or cause. Learning how to use prepositions correctly is an essential part of speaking and writing clearly and precisely.

In this lesson we will focus on simple prepositions, which are the most common and basic, and articulated prepositions, which are formed by combining simple prepositions with definite articles. We will see how and when to use these prepositions through practical and easier to remember examples.

Simple prepositions 

DI: Indicates ownership or origin

“DI” is used to indicate who owns something or where someone comes from.

For example: 
1) Questa è la borsa di Maria. (This bag belongs to Maria)
2) Sono di Milano. (I am from Milan, my home town)

A: Indicates movement to place or state in place

“A” is used to indicate the destination of a movement or the place where you are.

For example: 
1) Vado a scuola.  (Your destination is school) 
2) Sono a casa. (You are at home; ‘a’ is a preposition used to indicate a general place, often with buildings or enclosed spaces)

DA: Indicates coming from or going to a place

“DA” is used to indicate origin or the starting point of a movement or the place where you go to find someone.

For example: 
1) Vengo da Milano. (I come from Milan.)
2) Parto da casa.  (You are leaving home to go somewhere else)
3) Vado da Paolo.  (You are going to Paolo’s house or to Paolo in general)

IN: Indicates a state of being in a place or on the way to a place 

“IN” is used to indicate where you are or where you are going, especially when referring to countries, regions, rooms or indoor spaces.

For example: 
1) Vivo in Italia. (Indicates the country where you live.)
2) Sono in cucina. (You are in the kitchen, an interior space)

CON: Indicates company or means

“CON” is used to indicate the person with whom you are doing something or the means you are using.

For example:

1) Esco con gli amici. (You are in the company of friends)

2) Scrivo con una penna.  (You are writing with a pen)

SU: Indicates position

“SU” is used to indicate that something is on top of something else.

For example: 

1) Il libro è sul tavolo. (The book is on the table)

PER: Indicates a purpose or goal

“PER” is used to indicate the reason for doing something or the destination.

For example:

1) Studio per l’esame.  (The reason you are studying is the exam)

2) Parto per Roma. (The destination of your trip is Rome)

TRA e FRA: Indicates position or time

“TRA” e “FRA” are used to indicate an intermediate position between two elements or a time interval.
For example: 
1) La scuola è tra la chiesa e il parco. (The school is between the church and the park)
2) Parto tra due giorni.  (The time that must elapse before your departure is two days)

Summary – Simple prepositions

DI to indicate possession or origin.
A to indicate destination or place (especially specific cities or places).
DA to indicate origin or motion towards someone.
IN to indicate place (countries, regions, rooms, bounded spaces).
CON to indicate company or means.
SU to indicate position (on top of something else).
PER to indicate purpose or destination.
TRA/FRA to indicate intermediate position or time.

Articulated Prepositions

Articulated prepositions are formed when certain simple prepositions combine with a definite article (il, lo, la, i, gli, le).

Not all simple prepositions can be articulated. Only some, such as DI, A, DA, IN and SU, combine with the definite articles to form articulated prepositions. 

In contemporary Italian, DI, A, DA, IN and SU regularly combine with definite articles. CON is usually written separately from the article (con il, con la, con gli), although col and coi are also used. PER, TRA and FRA normally remain separate from the article (per il, tra le, fra i).

Here are a few examples of articulated prepositions:

• a + il = al
• a + la = alla
• da + gli = dagli
• da + i = dai
• di + il = del
• di + la = della
• in + il = nel
• in + gli = negli
• su + il = sul
• su + l’ = sull’

Use an articulated preposition when the preposition is followed by a definite article: il libro del professore, vado alla stazione, sono nella cucina. 

For example, ‘DI‘ and ‘IL’ become ‘DEL’ to indicate belonging to or coming from a particular noun, as in ‘Il libro del professore‘ (the book of this particular professor). 

This combination makes speech more fluent and natural, avoiding repetition or excessive pauses.

To conclude

Prepositions are essential for building correct sentences in Italian. 

Although they may seem difficult at first, with a little practice they will become second nature. 

Remember that each preposition has its own specific use, but by learning the right contexts you will be able to use them without any trouble.

Continue to practise and use prepositions in everyday conversation. Gradually you will be able to handle even the most complex situations and communicate with increasing fluency.