Inclusive language in Italian is one of the most debated and controversial topics in contemporary Italian. You come across it in newspapers, universities, and social media — and at the centre of the debate there is often an unusual symbol, the schwa, which most people had never seen before encountering this topic.
Have you ever said “Necessito un bicchiere d’acqua“ [I need a glass of water] or “Necessito di aiuto“ [I need help]? In reality, Italians don’t talk like that. The verb “necessitare” is extremely formal, bureaucratic, legal. In this article, you’ll discover why “necessitare” sounds strange and which expressions to use instead to speak in a natural and authentic way.
Have you ever wondered why in Italian we say “vado A Roma“ [I go to Rome] but “vengo DA Milano“ [I come from Milan]? Or why sometimes we use “sul tavolo“ [on the table] and other times “sopra il tavolo“ [above the table]? Prepositions are one of the most important and complex aspects of the Italian language. In this complete guide, you’ll see how to use them correctly.
When you study Italian, you learn a language rich in history. But there is a lesser-known chapter: the 1920s and 1930s, when Benito Mussolini and the fascist regime decided to intervene directly in the Italian language — modifying it, purifying it, and using it as a tool of power. Language is never neutral: whoever controls words, controls thought. Fascism understood this perfectly.
Do you have Netflix and want to improve your Italian? There are films and TV series in Italian that are perfect for learning from the comfort of your couch, suitable for every level, from absolute beginner to advanced. In this article, you’ll find six recommendations — 3 films and 3 TV series for each level, from A1 to C2 — along with explanations on how to use them most effectively to improve listening comprehension, expand your vocabulary, and get used to different Italian accents.
Do you know the difference between “impedire” [to prevent] and “ostacolare” [to hinder]? And why do we say “un bel libro” but “un bell’uomo”? And most importantly… why can’t you say “va a piovere” to talk about the future? If these questions give you a headache, you’re in the right place!
