Italian simple prepositions
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Simple prepositions (preposizioni semplici) are all invariable in gender and number.
You can easily learn them from the following list:
As you can see, each preposition can have different meanings.
The preposition di is used in the following contexts.
Meaning | Italian | English |
---|---|---|
Possession | Lei è la mamma di Giorgio | She's Giorgio's mum |
Origin | Mia mamma è di Roma | My mum is from Rome |
Topics | Un libro di filosofia | A book about philosophy (A philosophy book) |
Contents | Un sacchetto di caramelle | A bag of candies |
Characteristics (materials, ingredients) | Una torta di mele | An apple cake |
Cause or reason | Sto morendo di sonno | I'm dying of sleepiness |
Measures or quantity | Una strada di venti chilometri | A twenty-kilometres-long road |
Part of a group | Qualcuno di voi mente | Some of you are lying |
Time expressions | Gli uffici sono aperti solo di giorno | The offices are opened during the morning only |
Comparisons | Maria è più alta di Sara | Maria is taller than Sara |
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The preposition a has the following meanings. When it is followed by the same vowel, you add a -d.
Meaning | Italian | English |
---|---|---|
Direction (cities and places) | Sto andando ad Amburgo | I am going to Bologna |
Exact time or moment | L'appuntamento è alle cinque | The date is at five o'clock |
Distance (space and time) | L'albergo più vicino è a due chilometri | The nearest hotel is two kilometres away |
Indirect object | Avevo dato a tutti voi la mia fiducia | I had given you all my trust |
The preposition da has the following meanings.
Meaning | Italian | English |
---|---|---|
Starting point in space / origin | Il volo da Roma a Madrid è in ritardo | The flight from Rome to Madrid got delayed |
Motion "through" something | Per andare in Francia bisogna passare dal tunnel | You have to pass through a tunnel to go to France |
Starting point in time | Studio spagnolo dall'anno scorso | I have been studying Spanish since last year |
Current location | Sono da Claudia adesso | I'm at Claudia's now |
Agent in passive sentences | L'edificio è stato costruito da quella compagnia | The building was built by that company |
Characteristics | La signora dai pantaloni rossi | The lady with red trousers |
Purposes | Scarpe da tennis | Tennis shoes |
The preposition in has the following meanings.
Meaning | Italian | English |
---|---|---|
Location in a space or in time | La "Barcaccia" è una famosa fontana di Roma in Piazza Navona | The "Barcaccia" is a famous fountain in Rome, in Navona Square |
Direction (countries, regions and big islands) | Mi sono trasferito in Italia, ma poi sono andato in Spagna, in Andalusia. | I moved to Italy, but then I went to Spain, to Andalusia |
Motion within a space | Navighiamo in mare aperto | We are sailing in the open sea |
Transports | Andiamo in aereo o in nave? | Are we going by ship or by plane? |
Materials | Il falegname ha costruito un scala in legno | The carpenter built a wooden staircase |
Abilities and languages | Noi scriviamo testi in francese | We write texts in French |
The preposition con has the following meanings.
Meaning | Italian | English |
---|---|---|
Literal and figurative company | Stiamo andando in spiaggia con Giulia | We are going to the beach with Giulia |
Transports | Mario è venuto con la macchina, ma è andato via con la bici | Mario came by car, but went away by bike |
Tools | Gli spaghetti si mangiano con la forchetta. | Spaghetti are eaten with a fork |
Characteristics | Il gatto con la coda lunga e gli occhi neri | The cat with a long tail and black eyes |
Ways | Guidare con attenzione | Drive careful |
Comparisons | Mi mettono sempre a confronto con mio fratello | They always compare me with my brother |
The preposition su is used in the following contexts.
Meaning | Italian | English |
---|---|---|
Location | Il libro è su quel tavolo | The book is on that table |
Topic of a speech or writing | Una conferenza su guerra e società in Medio Oriente | A conference about war and society in the Middle East |
Approximation (age, price, measures) | Era un uomo alto sul metro e ottanta | It was a man about a metre and eighty tall |
Distributive (groups, grades) | Un ragazzo su quattro ha preso meno di cinque su dieci! | One in four guys got less than five out of ten! |
The preposition per has the following meanings.
Meaning | Italian | English |
---|---|---|
Duration | Ho studiato per otto ore oggi | I have been studying for eight hours today |
Destination in space | Il treno per Parigi è in ritardo | The train to Paris is delayed |
Movement "through" something | Si può entrare solo per la porta principale | You can get inside only through the main door |
Reason | Non sono venuto per la febbre | I didn't come because of the fever |
Purposes | L'ho fatto per farti stare bene | I did it to make you feel good |
Imminence of an action | Sto per andare a New York | I am going to go to New York |
Price or measure | Ho comprato la giacca per 30 euro | I bought the jacket for 30 euros |
The prepositions tra and fra are perfectly synonyms. They are used in the following contexts.
Meaning | Italian | English |
---|---|---|
Position "between" two elements | Le mele sono tra/fra le banane e le arance | The apples are between the bananas and the oranges |
Position "among" more elements | Il leone è il più forte tra/fra i felini | The lion is the strongest among the felines |
Interval of time | Lo spettacolo comincia tra/fra due minuti | The show begins in two minutes |
Distance | Il supermercato è tra/fra duecento metri | The supermarket is two-hundred meters from here |
Relations | C'è un bel rapporto tra/fra noi due | There is a nice relationship between the two of us |
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Maria is a well-structured teacher that is fluent in both russian and spanish. I recommend her to anyone!
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Hello my name is Lucia and I am a native Italian speaker.
I have a degree as an interpreter for English and French so I know how hard it may be to learn a foreign language. I work as a free-lance interpreter and private English and French teacher. I have a strong passion for languages which I have been studying for many years. I am studying Spanish now and always trying to improve my English and French knowledge. I am a friendly person and my lessons mainly focus on conversation. As a teacher I am very patient and I always propose tailor-made lessons with respect to your needs. I am really enthusiastic about being a teacher because this activity allows you to share your culture and habits with foreign people. Learning a language is also learning a new culture.
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Lucia is wonderful! I have no experience with Italian and it has thus far been a lovely fun process. She is easy to schedule with. Sends documents with notes/teaching points from each of our lessons immediately and tailors lesson to exactly my level/experience. Would highly recommend!
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Hi! My name is Tiphaine, I'm french, I'm 37 years old and I live in Seville.
I grew up in the outside of Paris, I travelled all over the world and I live in Spain for 10 years now.
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Tiphaine is a very competent and experienced French teacher. She prepares the lessons very carefully and focuses on all relevant aspects such as conversation, grammar and vocabulary. Above all, she has a very friendly personality that makes you feel at ease immediately. I can highly recommend her as a French teacher.
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Hello Everybody
My name is Luisa and I teach Italian for foreign students, English, French and German for Italian students
Since 1994, I have dedicated myself to translating and teaching thanks to my travels, abroad studies, foreign reading and writing. I provide fun and customized lessons based on the student's goals. I also triy to minimize English speaking during the lessons. I give homework exercises, and my lessons are intermixed with grammar, conversation, customs and traditions. My goal is to make certain that each student finds learning Italian exciting.
I am available for any explanations also via e mail
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Luisa is fantastic! We are just doing conversation because that is what I need, and requested from Luisa. Easy flow and no lacking of topics to talk about with her. I highly recommend Luisa!!!
Luisa A.Thank you so much !!! It's a pleasure for me !!!
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Would you like to learn a new language and need somebody to guide you? I am the right person for you
Learning a foreign language is always a good investment: it broadens your cultural horizons, it increases dramatically your employability and it helps your business penetrate foreign markets.
I have experience in teaching English, Spanish and Italian to non-Italian speakers of all ages, both individuals and groups, in your office or at home. I am available for grammar and conversation classes, classes in preparation for special exams, certificates and corporate events, both in person and on Skype.
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Ilaria is a very well-structured and experienced teacher for Spanish, English and Italian! I totally recommend her to anyone!
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Hi everyone!
My name is Daniela, I am Italian and I come from a small town in Sicily, Southern Italy. I am a qualified Italian language teacher and a CELI examiner! I work in two language schools teaching Italian and I also teach English at school.
I love foreign languages, translating, reading and listening to music. Are you ready to start your language learning path with me? We are going to learn many things and to talk a lot, if you allow me to! Don’t worry if you’ve never studied the language before: everyone can attend my classes – from beginner to advanced students. You just need passion for what you're going to do and... a good Internet connection. Materials are provided by me!
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Taking lessons with Daniela was a pleasure. She was always well prepared, she gave all necessary information and materials I needed. The lessons were really good - I could practice grammar, speaking etc. Highly recommended :)
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Hello German learner! I am a dedicated teacher for DaF (German as a foreign language) studying and working in Germany. I have already gained teaching experience with different age groups and nationalities while teaching German in various language schools.
Currently, I'm doing my second studies in German, English, and Teaching at the University of Bonn. (I already got my Master's Degree in German and Literature). Besides, I teach in a local language school as well as tutor students online on Colanguage.
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See you soon
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PS. IMPORTANT! Currently, I only work with adults aged 18 and over - so NO courses for children, sorry.
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Hranush is a teacher with a lot of experience in teaching German. She has many materials and is well-structured!
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Hello Everybody
My name is Luisa and I teach Italian for foreign students, English, French and German for Italian students
Since 1994, I have dedicated myself to translating and teaching thanks to my travels, abroad studies, foreign reading and writing. I provide fun and customized lessons based on the student's goals. I also triy to minimize English speaking during the lessons. I give homework exercises, and my lessons are intermixed with grammar, conversation, customs and traditions. My goal is to make certain that each student finds learning Italian exciting.
I am available for any explanations also via e mail
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Luisa is very patient and personable. I tend to want to understand the rules that underlie the conversation and she takes the time to explain them to me (as well as all the deviations from the rules of which there are a few in Italian). Working with her got me through living in Italy for 3+ months and I look forward to continuing our lessons well into the future.
Luisa A.Dear Juliet thank you, thank you so much !!!!! you improve because you're a good student !!!!
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Maria has experience in teaching spanish lessons and is very well structured. I really recommend her to everybody.
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Hi everyone!
My name is Daniela, I am Italian and I come from a small town in Sicily, Southern Italy. I am a qualified Italian language teacher and a CELI examiner! I work in two language schools teaching Italian and I also teach English at school.
I love foreign languages, translating, reading and listening to music. Are you ready to start your language learning path with me? We are going to learn many things and to talk a lot, if you allow me to! Don’t worry if you’ve never studied the language before: everyone can attend my classes – from beginner to advanced students. You just need passion for what you're going to do and... a good Internet connection. Materials are provided by me!
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I asked Daniela to help me with pronunciation. She pays careful attention, and corrects my pronunciation as needed.
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I'm a Italian/German bilingual teacher form Florence!
I offer lessons for beginners as well as for advanced speakers. I carry out different kinds of lessons: I could help you for example to prepare for a test, for your trip to Italy or for more advanced needs.
The lessons are focused on improving listening/comprehension skills as well as reading, writing, speaking and grammar.
If you want to know more about my methods, just book a trial lesson! It's free! I hope to see you soon!
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Niccolò has a pleasant way of teaching. He responds well to questions or comments from our group, while he knows how to follow the structure of the lesson. He carries out his lessons calmly, with interest and with humor.
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Hi there! My name is Era Jane Castillo. You can call me Teacher Jane. I live in the Philippines. I graduated from Holy Cross College of Calinan, Inc. with the degree of Bachelor of Elementary Education Generalist. I am also a Licensed Professional Teacher. I have acquired a TEFL certificate.
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That is why I am here for you. As your online teacher, I will make the time you spend with me worthwhile. My teaching style is very light. You will not feel pressure in learning. Our sessions will be fun and interactive. I will use power point presentations as our material in learning languages. We can discuss anything under the sun. Join me now and I will help you improve in speaking in English and Filipino. See you in class!
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Era Jane has a very friendly personality and is a great and very experienced Tagalog teacher. She prepares the lessons very carefully, focusing on all relevant aspects such as conversation, grammar, and vocabulary. I am very much looking forward to continuing the lessons with her and to become more proficient in the language.
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Hello Everybody
My name is Luisa and I teach Italian for foreign students, English, French and German for Italian students
Since 1994, I have dedicated myself to translating and teaching thanks to my travels, abroad studies, foreign reading and writing. I provide fun and customized lessons based on the student's goals. I also triy to minimize English speaking during the lessons. I give homework exercises, and my lessons are intermixed with grammar, conversation, customs and traditions. My goal is to make certain that each student finds learning Italian exciting.
I am available for any explanations also via e mail
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Luisa is pleasant and very focused, I purchased 12 lessons after the first lesson with Luisa because I felt confident that she will teach me Italian at a level I’m able to follow with. I can’t wait to get stuck on and learn! :)
Luisa A.Thank you Julian !!! Thank you so much !!
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Hi there, I’m Letizia!
I've always had a great passion for languages and have made it my life's work.
I have been teaching English, Spanish and Italian as second languages (L2) to international students for 7 years now. I mainly work with teenagers and adults, but I also have experience with school-age children.
I am specialised in Psycholinguistics and Applied Linguistics for teaching: specifically, I work on the processes of L2 language acquisition (SLA), language development and processing.
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Very professional. Well thought out and planned lessons. Materials to prep for lesson sent out well in advance.
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Hello Everybody
My name is Luisa and I teach Italian for foreign students, English, French and German for Italian students
Since 1994, I have dedicated myself to translating and teaching thanks to my travels, abroad studies, foreign reading and writing. I provide fun and customized lessons based on the student's goals. I also triy to minimize English speaking during the lessons. I give homework exercises, and my lessons are intermixed with grammar, conversation, customs and traditions. My goal is to make certain that each student finds learning Italian exciting.
I am available for any explanations also via e mail
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Luisa is a really nice teacher with a lovely personality. She makes you feel very comfortable and will tailor the lessons for you. Thank you Luisa.
Luisa A.Dear Veronica, thank you, thank you so much !! :-))
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1 Italian preposition "di" (of, from,...) | Learn translations and uses of the English prepositions "of" and "from" in Italian |
2 Italian preposition "a" (at, to,...) | Check translations and uses of the English preposition "at" in Italian |
3 Italian preposition "da" (by, from,...) | Check translations and uses of the English prepositions "from" and "by" in Italian |
4 Italian preposition "in" (in, to,...) | Check translations and uses of the English preposition "in" in Italian |
5 Italian preposition "con" (with) | Check translations and uses of the English preposition "with" in Italian |
6 Italian preposition "su" (on, over,...) | Check translations and uses of the English preposition "on" in Italian |
7 Italian preposition "per" (for, to,...) | Check translations and uses of the English preposition "for" in Italian |
8 Italian prepositions "tra/ fra" (between, among,...) | Check translations and uses of the English preposition "between" in Italian |
9 "On" in Italian (su) | Check translations and uses of the English preposition "on" in Italian |
10 "To" in Italian | Check translations and uses of the English preposition "to" in Italian |
11 Italian prepositions of place and time | Look at the Italian prepositions to indicate a place or expression of time and their use |
12 Simple preposition chart - English to Italian | Check translation and uses of English prepositions in Italian |